Laboratories have heavy responsibilities on their shoulders. While doctors and medical providers might be the people considering a certain diagnosis, it’s often up to the labs to accurately review data provided to them in order to confirm or deny that potential diagnosis.

Many times, a lab requires specific software for their testing protocols. When looking for GI diseases, they would be utilizing a GI testing lab software to do so. Said software would allow the lab to keep up with demand, categorize all testing, and ultimately provide better care to the patient.

The Basics of Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Testing

You will also hear gastrointestinal also referred to as GI. This type of testing is used to help detect or diagnose a specific GI disorder or disease. Through diagnostic testing, labs can help to determine or confirm what is going on to determine proper treatment for the patient.

This process is similar for both urgent needs and minor needs. And with quality software, you can actually segregate major and minor testing within the systems.

5 Common Types of GI Testing

There is more than one type of testing for GI ailments, because there are multiple scenarios possible. In most cases, diagnostic testing is used to narrow down a known problem and determine exactly what is going on.

The testing procedures will vary depending on what is going on with the GI, and what they are able to find. In some cases, more than one form of testing may be used to determine the answers and solutions.

Here are some common ways that testing occurs:

●  Colonoscopy

●  Gastroscopy

●  Ultrasound

●  Capsule endoscopy

●  Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

●  Barium swallow testing

●  Barium enema

●  Anorectal manometry testing

Now, check out these 5 most common reasons for testing.

1. Upper or Lower GI Tract Disorders

The most common testing that occurs is used for screening for specific disorders. These disorders may affect either the upper or lower GI tract, so the screening or testing will depend on the patient.

Many of these disorders are assessed by symptoms such as delayed digestion or excretion issues, as well as chewing or swallowing and early digestion after food is consumed.

2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (or IBD) is not just one disease. This includes diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. More than 3 million people in the US alone have been diagnosed with an IBD. These diseases are noted by inflammation within the GI tract.

While the two diseases mentioned here are the most common forms of IBD, they are actually determined by different tests, and they have different symptoms as well. Precise testing and diagnostic procedures are absolutely essential to be able to properly diagnose and help the patient.

Doctors may use SED rate testing, IBD differentiation panels, or C-reactive protein tests to reach a determination.

3. Intestinal Cancer Diagnostic Testing

Intestinal cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of cancer diagnoses. However, despite its rarity, it is a possibility that must be tested for at times. When intestinal cancer is the result, it’s important to catch it early and act right away.

With local lab testing protocols and reliable GI diagnostic software, it becomes much easier to catch cancer issues, and provide answers to the doctor and patient so treatments can begin quickly.

4. Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is one of the most common GI disorders out there. Every 1 in approximately 130 people in the US will be diagnosed with Celiac disease. Many times, testing and screening can even proactively find that an individual is at risk for developing Celiac and take action at that time.

Testing for Celiac typically uses HLA typing and a detailed diagnostic panel to look for tissue transglutaminase antibodies.

5. Infectious Diarrheal Challenges

Finally, it’s important that patients understand that diarrhea could be a sign of an infectious diarrheal issue that needs to be resolved. Using the right GI testing can help resolve the cause so treatments can be administered.

The good news is that testing for this typically just requires a stool sample, and it is far less invasive than most GI testing protocols can be.

Proper Software Brings Results to Those in Need

The labs and the medical providers work closely together to ensure that a patient is properly diagnosed and tested. The end result should be to quickly find out what is causing problems for the patient so that they can begin whatever treatment is necessary.

Having reliable GI testing lab software makes a world of difference when it comes to procedures, testing, monitoring, and classifying the information within the lab.