Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Key Gut Health Tests Often Overlooked by Patients
Some people have tummy problems like bloating or stomach pain.
Doctors say that sometimes the problem is serious, not just stress.
They use special tests to check for inflammation, celiac disease, stomach bugs, and pancreas problems.
Doctors pick the right test based on the symptoms, not all the time.
If symptoms keep happening or get worse, a doctor should check with these tests.
Using only probiotics or diets can hide the real issue.
The goal is to find the exact cause so the right treatment can be given.
Four underused gut tests highlighted: faecal calprotectin, TTG IgA for celiac, H. pylori breath, pancreatic elastase.
Tests help differentiate inflammatory bowel disease from IBS and identify celiac, gastritis, ulcers, pancreatic insufficiency.
Doctors recommend tests based on symptoms, not routine screening for all.
Persistent symptoms like chronic diarrhea, blood in stool, weight loss, or iron deficiency warrant medical evaluation.
Self‑diagnosis with probiotics or diets can delay diagnosis of serious conditions.
- Who
- Gastroenterologists Dr Saurabh Sethi and Dr Adithya V. Naragund
- What
- Discuss overlooked gut health tests and when to use them
- Why
- To guide patients and doctors on proper testing and avoid missing serious conditions
- Key Tests
- Faecal calprotectin, TTG IgA, H. pylori breath, pancreatic elastase
- Purpose
- Differentiate inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, gastritis/ulcers, pancreatic insufficiency
- When to use
- Based on symptoms like persistent diarrhea, blood in stool, weight loss, etc.
- Recommended by
- Dr Saurabh Sethi, Dr Adithya V. Naragund
- Avoid self‑diagnosis
- Probiotics or diets may delay diagnosis