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Does a biopsy rule out bacterial causes?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/7/2009 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
I was wondering because I see a lot of people who have had colonoscopy/biopsy but no stool test. Do you think it is necessary to do both to figure out whether your colitis is bacteria related?

I had both. I always thought I had a bacteria but 3 stool tests later, nothing abnormal found in my stool. I have to admit, I did feel better after the stool test because I felt like the evidence was more conclusive.

Posted 9/7/2009 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
UC is a dysregulation of your immune system in response to normal gut flora. The biopsy is taken to look for cancerous cells and inflammation by immune cells.
Posted 9/7/2009 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
yes but colitis can have bacterial causes. If you have indeterminate colitis and it's caused by something bacterial, would they be able to tell it is caused by a bacteria from the biopsy? If not, how would you go about figuring out the cause/cure to the bacteria that is causing your colitis. Is a stool test conclusive for bacterial infections?
Posted 9/7/2009 11:08 PM (GMT 0)

notsosicklygirl said...
yes but colitis can have bacterial causes. If you have indeterminate colitis and it's caused by something bacterial, would they be able to tell it is caused by a bacteria from the biopsy? If not, how would you go about figuring out the cause/cure to the bacteria that is causing your colitis. Is a stool test conclusive for bacterial infections?

No the biopsy won't tell you. As I said colitis is an immune response to your normal gut flora (bacteria). A stool test will just confirm that you have normal gut bacteria. Biopsies try to establish if it is UC or Crohn's, if not then it is indeterminate.
Posted 9/7/2009 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
biopsies would be able to tell if one has microscopic colitis, UC or CD...but UC or CD can be iffy sometimes depending on how it presents.

Stool samples would be able to tell if you have bacterial infection.

Many times, the initial invader or whatever it was that caused the trigger of UC has long gone.

UC's process isn't going to be stopped if it was bacterial initially. But remember that some bacterial infections can mimic UC....so, that would be two different situations.


I wouldn't say that UC is a dysregulation Iof your immune system in response to normal gut flora.

quincy
Posted 9/7/2009 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
or...your UC symptoms could be fungal related. I had all the stool tests, as well as biopsies and never did one come back suspicious of fungus. "They" don't test for that, and there are too many kinds of fungi to look for. My UC definitely had a fungal etiology. After following an antifungal treatment program (diet and supplements) my UC symptoms disappeared. No doctor or test ever suggested I try that. I had to learn and research on my own. Fungus/yeast can grow when good bacteria has been wiped out, leaving the yeast unchecked, often after an antibiotic treatment or using birth control pills, or eating fungus-contaminated food over a period of time(grains/peanuts). Add the Standard American Diet (ironically, the SAD) which feeds the fungus and you have a "perfect storm." Yeast can penetrate the walls of our intestines, enter the bloodstream, and spread out to infect other organs in the body. So, yes, I believe it can be a cause of UC symptoms.
Posted 9/8/2009 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
So, basically, since I have never gotten an exact diagnosis, they don't know whether I have UC or Chrons? My doctor did mention something about patches but she also said inactive. Can you have inactive Chrons? I am going to see my dr next month, hopefully I can get more answers. Unfortunately, whenever I go there my mind goes blank.
Posted 9/8/2009 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
yes, you can have patches of CD in the intestinal tract and some will be reacting while others don't...
Posted 9/8/2009 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Get a little notebook that will fit in your purse and start writing down all of your questions. Then when a question comes to mind, you've got something to write it down on! Your doc will be perfectly ok with you pulling out a list of questions!
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