Getting the Right Diagnosis

Medical Tests

To help you better understand medical testing, here is a list of medical examinations that a doctor may be able to prescribe in order to detect a possible condition that could otherwise be confused with irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptom Legend

■ IBS-D: Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea predominance

■ IBS-C: Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation predominance

■ IBS-M: IBS-D and IBS-C combined in alternation

■ All IBS types

■ Gastric problems

IBS symptoms	Condition or disorder being investigated	Medical test or examination	Covered by health insurance
IBS-D	Gluten intolerance	Blood test: anti-transglutaminase IgA antibodies	yes
IBS-D	Lactose intolerance	Genetic test, Lactose test	yes
IBS-D	Increased intestinal permeability	Polyethylene glycol, Zonulin	no
IBS-D	Hyperthyroidism	Hormonal blood test	yes
IBS-D	Inflammatory bowel disease	Colonoscopy / biopsy	yes
IBS-D	Hydrogen-dominant SIBO	Breath test measuring exhaled hydrogen, using glucose or lactulose	no
IBS-C	Methane-dominant SIBO	Breath test measuring exhaled methane, using glucose or lactulose	no
IBS-C	Hypothyroidism	Hormonal blood test	yes
IBS-M	Candidiasis	T2Candida test in cases of immunosuppression	no
IBS-M	2’-fucosyllactose secretion deficiency, linked to intestinal permeability	FUT2 genetic test	no
All IBS types	Organic abnormality, digestive lesions	Ultrasound	yes
All IBS types	Pancreatic insufficiency	Fecal elastase test	yes
All IBS types	Mineral deficiency: zinc, magnesium, and selenium	Plasma spectrometry	no
All IBS types	Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency, linked to an inflammatory terrain	HS-Omega-3 Index®	no
All IBS types	Depression	PHQ-9 questionnaire Hamilton Rating Scale	no
All IBS types	Anxiety	GAD-7 test HADS scale	no
All IBS types	Vitamin D deficiency linked to immune weakness	Blood test	yes
Gastric problems	Iron deficiency	Blood test	yes
Gastric problems	Helicobacter pylori infection	Urea breath test	no

What irritable bowel syndrome is not

IBS should not be confused with a disease (IBD) whose progression is often much more pronounced and whose damage to the colon and stomach can sometimes be irreversible.

Among chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and other digestive conditions, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and Helicobacter pylori infection absolutely require a diagnosis and medical management through conventional medicine.

Although the natural and holistic approach presented on dit-geste.fr may be used as a complement to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, by helping contribute to longer periods of remission, medical follow-up remains essential. By ruling out the presence of inflammatory bowel disease with your doctor, you will gain greater peace of mind.

Sources

Providing holistic support for patients with inflammatory bowel disease