Description

The Crohn's Disease Blood Panel is designed to help detect and monitor inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the digestive tract. This panel evaluates biomarkers that are associated with inflammation, immune response, and general digestive function, offering insights into disease activity and potential complications.

Crohn’s disease symptoms can range in severity and may appear gradually or suddenly. This test panel is useful for individuals experiencing unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, or those with a known diagnosis looking to monitor disease activity and response to treatment.

Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease May Include:

  • Chronic or recurring diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Anemia
  • Bloody stools
  • Fever
  • Mouth sores
  • Loss of appetite

Tests Included in the Crohn's Disease Blood Panel:

Anti-Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Antibodies (ASCA) IgG and IgA

  • Purpose: These antibodies are part of the immune response and are often elevated in individuals with Crohn’s disease.
  • Biomarker Role: ASCA IgG and IgA are immune biomarkers used to differentiate Crohn’s disease from other types of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis. Their presence may indicate an abnormal immune reaction to yeast in the gut, a pattern often associated with Crohn’s.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

  • Purpose: CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation.
  • Biomarker Role: As an inflammatory biomarker, elevated CRP levels are commonly seen in active Crohn’s disease. It helps monitor flare-ups and assess treatment effectiveness.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) with eGFR

  • Purpose: This panel evaluates electrolytes, liver and kidney function, glucose, and protein levels in the blood.
  • Biomarker Role: Metabolic biomarkers such as albumin and liver enzymes can reveal complications related to malabsorption or inflammation. The eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) component also helps monitor kidney function, which can be affected by chronic inflammation or medications.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

  • Purpose: This test measures red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.
  • Biomarker Role: A CBC can detect anemia, which is common in Crohn’s due to chronic blood loss or nutrient deficiencies. Elevated white blood cells may indicate inflammation or infection, both of which are relevant in active Crohn’s disease.

Preparation

  • Fasting: Not required

How These Biomarkers Help

Monitoring these specific biomarkers can:

  • Support diagnosis of Crohn’s disease
  • Differentiate Crohn’s from other gastrointestinal conditions like ulcerative colitis
  • Track inflammation and disease activity over time
  • Evaluate how well current treatments are working
  • Identify complications such as anemia, malnutrition, or organ dysfunction

Conclusion

The Crohn’s Disease Blood Panel provides essential insight into inflammatory and immune activity in individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms or a history of IBD. By analyzing key biomarkers, this panel assists healthcare providers in making informed decisions about diagnosis, disease monitoring, and management.