Question 1

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Accepted Answer

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition causing persistent inflammation in the digestive tract, primarily including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It is caused by an abnormal immune system response that attacks the gastrointestinal tract, combined with genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. The Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test is the most important blood test for monitoring IBD because it measures inflammation levels and helps assess disease activity.

Question 2

What causes inflammatory bowel disease?

Accepted Answer

Inflammatory bowel disease is caused by an abnormal immune system response that mistakenly attacks the digestive tract lining, combined with genetic factors and environmental triggers. While the exact cause remains unclear, research shows that people with IBD have an overactive immune response to normal gut bacteria, leading to chronic inflammation. Factors like smoking, diet, stress, and certain medications can trigger or worsen IBD flares in genetically susceptible individuals.

Question 3

What is the best test for inflammatory bowel disease?

Accepted Answer

The Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test is the most important blood test for inflammatory bowel disease because it measures inflammation levels in your body by checking how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube. An elevated ESR indicates active inflammation in the gut, which helps doctors assess whether your Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis is currently flaring up. While ESR cannot diagnose IBD on its own, it is essential for monitoring disease activity and determining if your treatment is working effectively. Your doctor may also order additional tests like C-reactive protein (CRP), complete blood count (CBC), and stool tests to get a complete picture of your condition.

Question 4

When should I get tested for inflammatory bowel disease?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you experience persistent diarrhea lasting more than two weeks, bloody stools, abdominal cramping and pain, unexplained weight loss, or constant fatigue. Testing is especially important if you have a family history of IBD or if your symptoms interfere with daily activities and quality of life. Early detection through blood work helps identify inflammation levels before complications develop, allowing you to start treatment sooner and prevent long-term intestinal damage.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?

Accepted Answer

Inflammatory bowel disease symptoms include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, blood in your stool, urgent need to have bowel movements, unintended weight loss, and chronic fatigue. You might also experience reduced appetite, fever during flares, joint pain, skin problems, and eye inflammation. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and often come in cycles with periods of active disease followed by remission, affecting your daily life and overall well-being.

Question 6

Who is at risk for inflammatory bowel disease?

Accepted Answer

People with a family history of IBD have significantly higher risk, especially if a parent or sibling has the condition. Young adults between ages 15 and 35 are most commonly diagnosed, though IBD can develop at any age. Smokers have increased risk for Crohn's disease, while former smokers face higher risk for ulcerative colitis. People of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have the highest risk among ethnic groups, and those living in industrialized countries or urban areas also face elevated risk.

Question 7

What happens if inflammatory bowel disease is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated inflammatory bowel disease can lead to severe complications including intestinal strictures that block your digestive tract, fistulas that create abnormal connections between organs, abscesses and perforations in the bowel wall, and malnutrition from poor nutrient absorption. You face increased risk of colon cancer with long-standing ulcerative colitis, and chronic blood loss can cause severe anemia. Persistent inflammation may also damage your intestines beyond repair, potentially requiring surgical removal of affected sections, significantly impacting your quality of life and overall health.

Question 8

Can inflammatory bowel disease be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Inflammatory bowel disease cannot be diagnosed with blood tests alone, but blood work plays a crucial role in the diagnostic process and ongoing management. The ESR test measures inflammation levels, while complete blood counts can detect anemia from intestinal bleeding. Blood tests help rule out infections and assess nutritional deficiencies common in IBD. A definitive diagnosis requires combining blood test results with colonoscopy, imaging studies like CT or MRI, and tissue biopsies to visualize and confirm intestinal inflammation patterns.

Question 9

How is inflammatory bowel disease treated?

Accepted Answer

Inflammatory bowel disease is treated with anti-inflammatory medications like aminosalicylates and corticosteroids to reduce gut inflammation during flares. Immune system suppressors such as azathioprine and biologic therapies like infliximab help control the overactive immune response causing the condition. Antibiotics treat infections and abscesses, while dietary modifications and nutritional supplements address deficiencies. In severe cases where medications fail, surgery to remove damaged portions of the intestine may be necessary to improve symptoms and quality of life.

Question 10

How can I prevent inflammatory bowel disease?

Accepted Answer

While you cannot completely prevent inflammatory bowel disease due to its genetic component, you can reduce flare risk by avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins while limiting processed foods, dairy if you are lactose intolerant, and high-fat foods that trigger symptoms. Manage stress through regular exercise, meditation, or therapy, as stress can worsen IBD symptoms. Stay current with vaccinations and take prescribed medications consistently to maintain remission and prevent complications.

Question 11

What can I do at home for inflammatory bowel disease?

Accepted Answer

At home, keep a food diary to identify and avoid trigger foods that worsen your symptoms, and eat smaller, more frequent meals to ease digestion. Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, especially during diarrhea episodes. Apply a heating pad to your abdomen to relieve cramping and pain. Practice stress-reduction techniques like yoga, deep breathing exercises, or meditation to help prevent flares. Get adequate sleep and gentle regular exercise to support your immune system and overall well-being while managing IBD symptoms.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
                Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
                You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
                If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
            support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update.
            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
            Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Blood Test

What is Inflammatory bowel disease?

What causes inflammatory bowel disease?

What is the best test for inflammatory bowel disease?

When should I get tested for inflammatory bowel disease?

References

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