Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease includes conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Laboratory testing helps assess inflammation, anemia, nutritional status, and disease activity.
Laboratory tests are generally used together with clinical assessment, stool evaluation, endoscopy, and histopathology when required — no single blood or stool test diagnoses IBD independently.
At National Path Lab (NPL), comprehensive testing is available to support the evaluation and monitoring of suspected or known inflammatory bowel disease.
- Tests available
- 8
- Tests available
- Health package
- 1
- Health package
Tests Available at NPL
COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT
SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY
Rs. 500
FOLATE; FOLIC ACID, SERUM
SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY
Rs. 1800
ALBUMIN, SERUM
SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY
Rs. 200
VITAMIN B12; CYANOCOBALAMINE
SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY
Rs. 1800
FECAL CALPROTECTIN
SAMPLE BY SUN/ THU 8:00 AM REPORT ON SAME DAY EVENING
Rs. 6000
C-REACTIVE PROTEIN (CRP) QUANTITATIVE
SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY
Rs. 800
ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE; ESR
SAMPLE DAILY BY 7:00 PM REPORT ON SAME DAY
Rs. 150
About Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Causes & Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve a combination of factors:
• Genetic predisposition — family history of IBD increases individual risk.
• Immune system dysregulation — an abnormal immune response to gut bacteria in genetically susceptible individuals is thought to play a central role.
• Environmental factors, including diet and gut microbiome composition, are areas of ongoing research interest.
• Smoking is associated with increased risk and worse disease course in Crohn's disease specifically (though it appears to have a different relationship with ulcerative colitis).
Symptoms & When to Test
IBD symptoms vary depending on which condition (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) and which part of the gastrointestinal tract is affected.
• Persistent diarrhea
• Blood or mucus in stool
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Recurrent bowel symptoms
• Unexplained anemia
When Should You Consider Testing?
Testing is appropriate for persistent diarrhea, blood or mucus in stool, unexplained abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or unexplained anemia — particularly when these symptoms are recurrent or ongoing rather than a single brief episode.
Why Tests Are Combined
CBC and CRP/ESR together assess two important but different aspects of IBD — CBC detects anemia (a common consequence of chronic intestinal blood loss or malabsorption), while CRP/ESR reflect systemic inflammatory activity, though these markers are not specific to IBD and must be interpreted alongside clinical findings.
Fecal calprotectin is particularly valuable because it specifically reflects intestinal inflammation, helping distinguish IBD from non-inflammatory conditions (such as irritable bowel syndrome) that can cause overlapping symptoms but do not involve the same degree of intestinal inflammation.
Nutritional markers (albumin, iron studies, vitamin B12/folate) are included because IBD, particularly Crohn's disease affecting the small intestine, can impair nutrient absorption, making ongoing nutritional monitoring an important part of comprehensive IBD care, not just symptom management.
Tests Available at NPL
Test Code | Test | Clinical Relevance |
H0012 | CBC | Evaluates anemia and other hematological abnormalities. |
B0021 | CRP | Helps assess systemic inflammation. |
H0017 | ESR | May support assessment of inflammatory activity. |
I0168
| Fecal Calprotectin | Helps detect intestinal inflammation and may assist in distinguishing IBD from some non-inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions. |
B0007
| Albumin | May provide information about nutritional status and disease severity. |
B0042
| Iron Studies | Useful for evaluating iron deficiency and anemia, common in IBD. |
I0105
| Vitamin B12 | May be assessed when deficiency is suspected, particularly in selected patients with Crohn's disease or malabsorption. |
I0038 | Folate |
|
Preparation requirements vary by specific test — please follow the instructions provided by your doctor or NPL for the tests ordered.
Home Sample Collection
NPL offers convenient home sample collection for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) blood tests, so you don't need to visit a lab in person.
→ Book your test online, via the NPL app, or by calling +977 1 5970147 and select a convenient time slot for home sample collection.
→ A certified and experienced NPL phlebotomist visits your home at the scheduled time, following strict hygiene and safety protocols.
→ Your sample is transported under controlled, monitored conditions to NPL's NABL ACCREDITED UNDER ISO 15189:2022 laboratory for processing.
→ Your digital report is delivered securely to your phone or email, along with access to download and share it as needed.
When to See a Doctor
• Persistent diarrhea lasting more than a few weeks
• Blood or mucus in stool
• Unexplained abdominal pain or weight loss
• Unexplained anemia
• Known IBD with new or worsening symptoms
Medical Disclaimer Laboratory tests support the evaluation and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease but do not independently diagnose the condition. Diagnosis typically requires endoscopy and histopathology alongside laboratory findings. This content is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. |