Description

Diagnosing gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms can be complex, as they may present with a wide range of symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, dyspepsia (indigestion), cramping, fever, and more. These symptoms can result from various conditions, some of which overlap, making accurate diagnosis challenging. While initial tests like blood work and endoscopy can provide valuable insights, they often focus on a limited set of potential causes. To truly understand the underlying issue, a more comprehensive evaluation is needed. This GI Advanced Blood Panel is designed to assess a wider range of potential causes, including Crohn's disease, alpha-gal sensitivity (a reaction caused by Lone Star tick bites), peptic ulcer disease, liver disease, and other gastrointestinal conditions. By starting with this broader approach, healthcare providers can more effectively narrow down the causes of the symptoms and guide treatment decisions.

Included Biomarkers

Acute Hepatitis Panel

The Acute Hepatitis Panel tests for biomarkers related to the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C viruses.

  • Biomarkers Assessed:
  • Anti-HAV IgM (Hepatitis A)
  • HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen)
  • Anti-HCV antibodies (Hepatitis C)
  • Clinical Use: This panel helps identify if a patient has an active hepatitis infection, which can cause liver inflammation and affect digestive health. Hepatitis infections can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal pain, and could contribute to conditions like cirrhosis or liver cancer if left untreated.

Alpha-gal IgE

This biomarker tests for the presence of IgE antibodies against alpha-gal, a sugar molecule found in mammalian meat. Sensitivity to alpha-gal is caused by a tick bite from the Lone Star tick, which can trigger an allergic reaction to red meat.

  • Biomarker Assessed:
  • Alpha-gal IgE antibodies
  • Clinical Use: A positive result can indicate alpha-gal syndrome, which causes symptoms such as hives, stomach cramps, nausea, and anaphylaxis after consuming red meat or other mammalian products. This is particularly important in areas where the Lone Star tick is prevalent, as the condition can be mistaken for food intolerance or a common allergy.

Amylase

Amylase is an enzyme produced primarily by the pancreas and salivary glands, which helps break down carbohydrates during digestion.

  • Biomarker Assessed:
  • Amylase enzyme levels
  • Clinical Use: Elevated amylase levels can be an indicator of pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, or a bile duct blockage. Both conditions can result in significant abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and bloating. This biomarker is important for detecting acute or chronic pancreatic conditions.

Anti-Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Antibodies (ASCA) IgG and IgA

This test looks for antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a yeast that can trigger an immune response in certain individuals. Elevated levels of these antibodies are linked to Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

  • Biomarkers Assessed:
  • ASCA IgG
  • ASCA IgA
  • Clinical Use: A positive result can suggest Crohn’s disease, which is a chronic condition that leads to inflammation of the GI tract, especially the ileum and colon. This biomarker helps differentiate Crohn’s disease from other forms of IBD, such as ulcerative colitis. It’s useful for diagnosing and monitoring disease progression.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

CRP is a biomarker for systemic inflammation in the body. It is produced by the liver in response to infection or injury.

  • Biomarker Assessed:
  • C-reactive protein levels
  • Clinical Use: Elevated CRP levels indicate an inflammatory process in the body, which may suggest conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, bacterial infections, or other autoimmune disorders. CRP is often used in conjunction with other tests to monitor disease activity, treatment response, and flare-ups in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

CEA is a glycoprotein biomarker typically elevated in certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer.

  • Biomarker Assessed:
  • Carcinoembryonic antigen levels
  • Clinical Use: While not specific to GI conditions, elevated CEA levels can suggest the presence of colorectal cancer or other GI malignancies. It is often used as a tumor marker to assess the effectiveness of cancer treatment or to monitor for recurrence. It is particularly useful when patients present with unexplained GI symptoms, unexplained weight loss, or family history of colorectal cancer.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The CBC is a standard test that provides several important biomarkers related to red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

  • Biomarkers Assessed:
  • Hemoglobin and hematocrit (to assess anemia)
  • White blood cell count (WBC) (to evaluate for infection or inflammation)
  • Platelet count (to check for clotting disorders)
  • Clinical Use: The CBC is useful for detecting anemia (which may result from GI bleeding), infection, or inflammation. It can help identify underlying conditions like GI bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or autoimmune disorders. A low hemoglobin level may indicate chronic blood loss, often seen in conditions like peptic ulcers or ulcerative colitis.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

The CMP provides an overview of several biomarkers related to the function of vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart.

  • Biomarkers Assessed:
  • Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate)
  • Liver enzymes (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase)
  • Kidney function (creatinine, BUN)
  • Blood glucose and protein levels
  • Clinical Use: The CMP is useful for monitoring liver function, detecting kidney dysfunction, evaluating blood sugar levels, and assessing overall electrolyte balance. It provides a general sense of metabolic health and helps detect any organ dysfunction that could be contributing to GI symptoms. Abnormal results can point to issues like hepatitis, cirrhosis, kidney disease, or diabetes, which can all impact digestion.

Fasting Requirements:

  • Fasting: Not required for this panel.

Why This Panel Is Ordered:

This GI Advanced Blood Panel is ordered to:

  • Detect hepatitis or other liver infections that may affect digestion.
  • Identify inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or IBD.
  • Screen for alpha-gal sensitivity, a rare allergic condition caused by tick bites.
  • Evaluate for GI cancers, such as colorectal cancer, using biomarkers like CEA.
  • Provide a comprehensive view of organ function, systemic inflammation, and immune responses, which can help pinpoint the underlying cause of symptoms and guide appropriate treatment.

Fasting not required.