How do they Test U For Chrons?

How do they do the chrons tests??

im 16 & my Dad Fought Chrons for 15years
& He passed away august 23rd,06.
not to sound nasty.
but sometimes when i.....
how do i put it...
"poop"
i see spots of blood.
its embarassing.
& before my dad passed away.
he was afraid i might have chrons or something
because id go through some of the same things he did.....
what do i do?
i know i need to b checked.
but im really scared....
godbless u all.
<3

[Lalasoto]

Hi Carebear,
I had to have a colonoscopy done and they did a biopsy. They also did lots of lab work. There is a test they did that I was told was just for crohns but I can't remember the name. When I find my paperwork I'll let you know. But definitely get checked!

[Carebear16]

thank u very much!!<3

[April2]

Lalasoto, I think the test you couldn't remember the name of is endoscopy.

You probably need a colonoscopy and endoscopy combined. The colonoscopy will be able to see the entire large colon and the endoscopy will be able to see the small colon and stomach.
Crohns tends to reside in the small colon but can be anywhere from mouth to anus.
I think it would be a good idea to request both tests. They can be done at the same visit. They each only take about 15 minutes to do and that way you only have to be sedated once. You won't feel a thing and won't remember anything. The worst part of the test is having to drink the stuff the day before that cleans you out. You'll have to stay at home near a toilet. Once you get through that, the rest should be a piece of cake.
Don't put this off too long. If you're seeing blood in your stool and you have a family history it's really a good idea to get tested and looked at. If they determine you have Crohns they can give you medicine that will help the symptoms.
I wish you the best. Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing. God bless.

[lizziecee]

Welcome to the Crohn's Community Forum where we try and answer questions about Crohn's if we have specific knowledge and/or experieince.

April2 has given you great advice....I would only add that there is a cheap and non-invasive test, called a Calprotectin Stool Assay test (all you need to do is give a stool sample) that can identify an inflammatory condition in the GI tract, but not specifically where. If the calprotectin level is out of range (normal is 20, mine is sometimes 40) this gives the gastro sufficient information to go ahead with invasive, and expensive tests such as April mentioned, colonoscopy and endoscopy.  Biopsies of any suspicious tissue is taken during the scopes, and these samples are sent to a pathologist for examination and hopefully, a definitive diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment can begin.

Crohn's can indeed be influenced by genetic factors, as well as environmental ones. Jury is still out on the latter. I was diagnosed at age 25, but neither my late twin brother, elder sister, and late parents had/have Crohn's and I believe it can skip generations.

Blood in the stool, or on the toilet paper, always needs checking out. It could be something simple like a haemorrhoid, a small fissure (tear) in the anus, or a parasitic infection in the colon.  If you do have an Inflammatory Bowel disease such as Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, you need to have it diagnosed properly so you can get the appropriate treament.  Athough IBD is incurable, it is rare to be terminal. I have had Crohn's for 38 yrs and still have a good quality of life.

Please tell your Mom about your symptoms, and have her make a doctor's appointment.

Take care,
Liz.