Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Panel

The Vitamin B12 test measures the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood. Vitamin B12 is important for a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and helping in DNA formation. Low B12 levels are common in older adults, children, vegans or vegetarians, people with diabetes, those who had gastric bypass surgery, breastfeeding women, and people with conditions like Crohn’s disease that affect vitamin absorption. High B12 levels can occur in liver diseases, certain blood disorders, or from taking vitamin supplements. Usually, high levels from supplements are not harmful, as extra B12 is removed through urine.

The ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) test measures how fast red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle in a tube over one hour.

When your body is inflamed, certain proteins, mainly fibrinogen, increase in the blood. These proteins cause the red blood cells to stick together in stacks. These stacks settle faster, leading to a higher ESR.

The ESR test shows that inflammation is present. However, it cannot tell you exactly where the inflammation is or what is causing it. That’s why doctors usually do this test along with other tests. This helps them understand and treat your health problems.

The Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) test analyzes the levels of vitamin B9 in the blood. Vitamin B9 is a part of the B complex of vitamins and is an essential nutrient, meaning the body cannot produce it and has to be taken into the diet. Folate is the naturally occurring form of vitamin B9, whereas folic acid refers to a supplement that is added to food and drinks. The deficiency of vitamin B9 (folic acid) can also lead to macrocytic anemia in which the size of the RBCs becomes larger than normal.

The CBC (Complete Blood Count) test measures the number of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Each of these blood cells performs essential functions–RBCs carry oxygen from your lungs to the various body parts, WBCs help fight infections and other diseases, and platelets help your blood to clot. Therefore, determining their levels can provide significant health information. A CBC test also determines the hemoglobin level, a protein in RBC that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of your body. Evaluating all these components together can provide important information about your overall health.

The CRP test measures the level of CRP protein in your blood. CRP is made by the liver when you have inflammation. Levels rise quickly if you have an infection, injury, or chronic autoimmune disease. This test indicates the amount of inflammation present in the body, but it does not identify the exact cause or location. CRP testing is also useful for monitoring response to treatment. A more sensitive version of this test, called high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), can detect very low CRP levels and is commonly used to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Stool Examination R/M (Routine and Microscopy) test involves a detailed analysis of a stool sample under a microscope. It checks for abnormalities related to the digestive system, allowing doctors to understand the cause of digestive symptoms. This test checks several key features of the stool, such as:

• Color, consistency, and presence of mucus or blood: May indicate infections, inflammation, or bleeding in the intestines.
• Pus cells or white blood cells (WBCs): May suggest an infection or inflammation in the intestines.
• Red blood cells (RBCs): May indicate conditions like ulcers, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, or even more serious issues like colon or stomach cancer.
• Ova, cysts, or parasites: May help detect infections caused by Entamoeba histolytica (intestinal amoebiasis), Giardia lamblia (giardiasis), or other worms and parasites.

A Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody, IgA test measures the presence of specific antibodies in the blood. These antibodies, specifically immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies, are produced in response to the tissue transglutaminase(tTG) enzyme which is involved in the body’s reaction to gluten.

Elevated levels of tTG IgA antibodies in the blood indicate an immune response to gluten, helping doctors confirm the presence of celiac disease or assess gluten sensitivity. A Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody, IgA test provides important information for the diagnosis and management of conditions associated with gluten-related disorders.

The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) test measures the levels of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that can be synthesized in the body upon healthy exposure to sunlight or absorbed from dietary sources. It exists in two forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is present in plants, such as yeast or mushrooms, and is available as a supplement in fortified foods. Vitamin D3 is found in foods like cheese, mushrooms, egg yolks, and fatty fish.

Both forms of vitamin D need to be converted in the liver and kidneys before the body can use them effectively. This test shows the total level of vitamin D (D2 + D3) circulating in the body and guides your doctor in recommending the right treatment or lifestyle changes if needed.

A Zinc, Serum test helps determine the amount of zinc in your blood. About 20–30% of ingested zinc is absorbed in the small intestine and then transported into the blood. Zinc is present in various tissues throughout the body but is not stored in any particular location. The primary route of zinc excretion is through feces, with very small amounts of zinc being lost in urine, sweat, and other bodily secretions. 

In situations where zinc requirements exceed intake, or poor absorption occurs, zinc deficiency may occur. This deficiency may impact various bodily functions since zinc is essential for numerous physiological processes. 

It's noteworthy that early stages of zinc deficiency, especially in individuals with known risk factors, can be managed with primary care and a well-balanced diet. 

The Immunoglobulin A test measures the concentration of IgA antibodies in the blood. The immune system produces these antibodies in response to pathogens and is primarily active in the mucosal membranes of the body, where they help prevent infections. Elevated levels of IgA may indicate chronic infections, autoimmune conditions, or inflammation, while lower levels can suggest immunodeficiency or impaired antibody production. This test provides essential insight into an individual’s mucosal immune health and is important for diagnosing and managing immune-related conditions.

The LFT (Liver Function Test) helps determine the health of the liver by measuring various key markers in the blood, such as bilirubin, enzymes, and proteins. These components help assess inflammation, infection, diseases, etc., of the liver and monitor the damage due to liver-related issues.

The Calprotectin, Stool test determines the amount of a protein called calprotectin that is released by neutrophils (a type of white blood cell). Whenever there is inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, neutrophils move to the particular area and release calprotectin, resulting in an increased level in the stool. Therefore, this test is a great way to detect inflammation in the intestine.

The Serum Iron Studies Comprehensive package measures the level of iron in the body. It comprises a series of blood tests, including serum iron test that helps to evaluate iron level, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) test that helps to assess the ability of the body to transport iron in the blood, unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) test that reflects binding of iron with transferrin, which is the main protein that binds with iron, transferrin saturation test that checks how many places on the transferrin that can hold iron are doing so, and ferritin test that detects ferritin protein in the blood and helps determine how much iron is stored in your body.