Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi - A colonoscopy is not necessary for a diagnosis of IBS in all circumstances. It is indicated if initial blood work comes back with results that indicate something like an inflammatory bowel disease might be present. And a colonoscopy is the gold standard test to rule out colon cancer.

If you are young, if your symptoms don't have any red flags for disorders other than IBS, and if you have initial bloodwork come back negative, you may not need a colonoscopy. I've never had one.

But, TessLouise is right - Michelle has some non-IBS symptoms, she's not responding really well to standard IBS treatments, and a colonoscopy is probably a really reasonable test at this point. If I were in her shoes, I'd want one.

So, this is where there can be some variation in getting a solid diagnosis for IBS. Age in particular can mean a lot (colon cancer, ovarian cancer, diverticulosis, endometriosis, and other disorders just aren't likely suspects for children and teens). Inflammatory bowel diseases and celiac, which can strike young people, can be initially checked for with the blood work.

Best,
Heather

--------------------
Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator