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Blood test: UC vs Crohns

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/27/2014 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys...

Was wondering if anyone ever had a blood test to look at the c-reactive protiens kn your body indicating a Crohns versus UC diagnosis?

I also believe there is a test called the Prometheus test?

I should probably ask this is the Crohns forum but figured if start with the opinion of my fellow UCers :)
Posted 5/27/2014 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, yes I had the Prometheus test done in March.  After years of being told I had crohns colitis I learned I have ulcerative colitis.   I know they are similar, but it's good to know exactly what you have.  The test can be expensive, well over $1000, so you may want to check with your insurance company first.

 

Posted 5/27/2014 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think there is any accurate test for telling the difference. I guess everything is a helpful tool in getting the most accurate diagnosis possible, especially if you're going under the knife.
Posted 5/27/2014 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
I was always told, by numerous doctors (both surgeons & GI's), that the only definitive test is when the colon is out & they do a pathology report on it. I have had the Prometheus test, but that was to check on Remi levels. Just recently when the path. report was done on my disgusting diseased colon, there was an area that they weren't quite sure of- so they sent it to Boston, to some top path. guy up there. It did come back UC, which is what my diagnosis always had been. The only difference it would make really is if you were to have surgery- otherwise, the 2 are treated very similarly.
Posted 5/27/2014 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Just wonder why if they can tell for sure from a pathology report after surgery why they can't tell for sure from a pathology report with the colon still in. This is the 21st century.
Posted 5/27/2014 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
I am asking for surgery reasons.

Just another tool to be sure.

Surgery consult tomorrow! Good to get information. Incase it comes to that :)
Posted 5/27/2014 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
From what I've seen on here, the Prometheus test doesn't seem reliable...so take it with that in mind.

Regarding pathology of an entire colon, they can cut it apart and view the depths of disease in the colon that might not be visible through some biopsies...

Let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow.

q
Posted 5/27/2014 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. I had Prometheus Serology 7 and new one SGI blood test to find out UC Vs Crohns.

Serology 7 said Crohns colitis in 2010 when I first diagnosed. Then las year when I had bad flare, I went to new GI. he did colonoscopy with lots of biopsies. Biopsies said chronic colitis and GI think its UC but he still wanted to confirm with blood test and blood test SGI(new one) came back inconclusive.

It is expensive but I preapproved the test and insurance paid full. I don't think it is good on its own but with other results, it adds value.

Let us know how everything goes. If you get blood test, I would like to know results too as I am trying to figure out what I have.
Posted 5/27/2014 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
The Prometheus test is controversial (and expensive!). For example, Cleveland Clinic doesn't use it -- they don't think it's reliable enough. I had a Prometheus test done and it said that I don't have IBD at all. Uh huh, OK...

I think you are misinformed about the CRP -- most IBDers, whether they have UC or Crohn's, will have elevated CRP during a flare. It's just a blood marker for systemic inflammation.

Biopsies taken while your colon is still inside can only capture the mucosal layers... otherwise taking a biopsy would be the equivalent of perforating your colon. That's why post-surgical pathology is more definitive. It's still not 100% though. Crohn's colitis can mimic ulcerative colitis by only involving the mucosa, starting at the rectum and spreading upwards, only affecting the colon, etc. The truth is that you can definitely have Crohn's, but everything else is only what it is "until proven otherwise."
Posted 5/27/2014 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Gary, I always wondered that too.. but quincy, what you say makes total sense. I always assumed that was the reason, when the colon is out they can really slice the whole thing right through. A biopsy is a pretty small chunk of tissue. Although every single one of my biopsies always came back as UC too. Good luck tomorrow Katie- ask the surgeon about this, see if he/she has an opinion re. definitive diagnosis. And post us the outcome! Of your consult, not just the diagnosis question!
Posted 5/27/2014 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
CRP is an acute-phase protein which rises whenever there is inflammation in the body. It is a general measure of inflammation and tells you nothing about the source.

If it's gonna cost you $$$, I wouldn't bother with the Prometheus test. It's unreliable and the results can't be fully trusted. If docs can't tell whether it's UC or Crohn's from a colonoscopy with biopsies, then you probably have indeterminate colitis. From the point of view of surgery, patients with IC have a much better outcome on average than patients with Crohn's disease.
Posted 5/28/2014 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
I just wanted my colon removed no matter what, I had enough but all along they thought that I had UC.

I had an appointment with my IBD GI a few months after surgery and I told him that the surgeon had the post-op results on my colon and the surgeon was confident that I had UC. The IBD GI said that they are much better now then they were 5-10 years ago about dx'ing UC/CD, he said there are genetic tests, better blood work, biopsies, etc
Posted 5/28/2014 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
yeah I didn't mean CRP.
All this pain and meds make me stupid :'(

I can't find the word I mean. I have it on a note card from my research. But basically I meant whatever it is that the prometheus test looks for. the ASCg-17 or whatever. lol (totally making stuff up now... but thats how my brain remembers it!)

Going to be rough to get 2.25-2.5 hours away for a 10:30am appointment. UGH. We are leaving with 45-30 minutes to spare... incase of rest stops or cleaning up accidents.

My best guy friend is bringing me. I wish my husband could. Or I had family that could. :(
I did call my Dad tonight (Havent spoken in months. He thinks my disease is a joke and I talk about it for "attention.") to tell him I would be in his neck of the woods (Madison is about 30 mins away from my hometown) and he wants to meet for lunch. We'll see.

Oih.

This is real guys! Scary.

Exciting? maybe.

Def scary.
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