Diagnosing Crohn's disease

A clinician asks about abdominal pain, diarrhoea, appetite, weight change, family history and symptoms outside the gut. Blood tests can look for anaemia, inflammation and signs that illness is affecting general health. Stool testing may help detect inflammation or infection. If results suggest bowel inflammation, a specialist may recommend imaging or endoscopy to view the digestive tract and take tissue samples. Abdominal pain and diarrhoea have many possible causes, so no single symptom proves Crohn's disease. See [Crohn's Disease](/conditions/crohns-disease/) for broader context.

Keep a simple record of bowel frequency, stool appearance, pain, food triggers, fever and weight change. Bring medicine and supplement details, including products bought without a prescription. Follow preparation instructions carefully if an endoscopy or scan is arranged. A [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/) can help organise initial tests and referral. Do not start restrictive diets without advice.

Arrange prompt medical care for persistent diarrhoea, blood in stool, ongoing abdominal pain, fever, dehydration or unintended weight loss. Seek urgent help for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, faintness, marked weakness or inability to keep fluids down. These features need assessment even when Crohn's disease is not the cause.

Ask which conditions the tests are distinguishing, whether you need a [Blood Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/blood-test/) or stool sample, and what preparation an endoscopy requires. Ask when results will be explained and which symptoms should trigger faster review.