{"id":54955,"date":"2026-08-10T17:40:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T15:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellclinic.pl\/?p=54955"},"modified":"2026-10-14T12:48:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T10:48:33","slug":"which-bowel-tests-are-worth-having-and-what-they-can-reveal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellclinic.pl\/en\/badania-jelit-jakie-warto-wykonac-i-co-moga-wykazac\/","title":{"rendered":"Bowel tests - which ones are worth having and what can they reveal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may get used to bloating, stomach ache or problems with bowel movements. However, your body shouldn\u2019t be forced to live with a symptom whose cause nobody has investigated.<\/strong> Recurring gastrointestinal complaints are easily dismissed as the result of stress, diet or simply \u201epart of life\u201d. However, persistent symptoms may require more thorough diagnosis, and simply masking them with further dietary changes does not always solve the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intestinal surveys<\/strong> They help to assess the condition of the digestive tract and identify the causes of any symptoms. Depending on the symptoms and the suspected problem, diagnostic tests may include, amongst other things, blood test<\/a><\/strong> and stool tests. The scope of these tests should be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on symptoms, medical history and clinical assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not, therefore, a question of carrying out a random set of tests, but of targeted diagnostics<\/strong>, which can help determine the cause of chronic symptoms. It is worth bearing in mind that not every bowel problem can be diagnosed on the basis of a single test, and the results need to be interpreted in the context of the overall clinical picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic diagnostic markers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The majority of information about the condition of the bowel is provided by three main groups of indicators, which help to differentiate the causes of the discomfort and establish a treatment plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indicators of intestinal inflammation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Study<\/strong><\/td>Material<\/strong><\/td>Role in diagnosis<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Faecal calprotectin<\/strong><\/td>Faeces<\/td>It is first-line marker<\/strong> in the assessment of inflammation. Elevated calprotectin levels are indicative of active neutrophil migration into the intestinal wall, suggesting inflammation<\/strong> or inflammatory bowel disease (such as UC or Crohn's disease), helping to differentiate it from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).<\/td><\/tr>
CRP (C-reactive protein)<\/strong><\/td>Blood<\/td>Overall indicator acute and chronic inflammation<\/strong> throughout the body, including the digestive system.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Indicators of the intestinal barrier (leaky gut syndrome)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Study<\/strong><\/td>Material<\/strong><\/td>Role in diagnosis<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Zonulin<\/strong><\/td>Serum or faeces<\/td>Marker that assesses intestinal permeability. It is a protein that regulates the so-called. close connections<\/strong>. Elevated zonulin is indicative of disruption of the intestinal barrier<\/strong> (leaks), which can lead to the penetration of undigested food residues and toxins into the bloodstream, causing systemic reactions.<\/td><\/tr>
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)<\/strong><\/td>Blood<\/td>Bacterial endotoxin penetration rate (parts of the wall of Gram-negative bacteria) through the damaged intestinal barrier into the bloodstream, confirming the leaky gut<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Assessment of digestion and absorption<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Study<\/strong><\/td>Material<\/strong><\/td>Role in diagnosis<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Pancreatic elastase<\/strong><\/td>Faeces<\/td>Evaluates the exocrine capacity of the pancreas<\/strong>. Low values indicate problems with the production of digestive enzymes, leading to poorer absorption of nutrients.<\/td><\/tr>
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)<\/strong><\/td>Faeces<\/td>Analysis of metabolites produced by the gut microbiota (e.g. butyrate, acetate). Good SCFAs are essential to nourish colonocytes (intestinal cells) and improve barrier integrity.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Indications for bowel examinations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Intestinal surveys<\/strong> are recommended for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n