Which Doctors Diagnose Ulcerative Colitis?

When it’s time to seek treatment for what you think may be ulcerative colitis (UC), it is likely a good idea to see your primary care provider (PCP) first when you’re experiencing symptoms. A lot of different conditions can make you have diarrhea or abdominal pain, so a PCP may start to determine whether it’s UC or something else.

Your PCP can then decide if you need a referral to a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in UC and other diseases of the digestive system.

How does a gastroenterologist help diagnose ulcerative colitis?

Your PCP and/or a gastroenterologist will ask about:

• Your symptoms

• How regularly you experience them

• How long you’ve been having symptoms

• What kinds of bowel movements (BMs) you’re having

• Whether your BMs are bloody or have mucus

• What other symptoms you’ve been having, including weight loss

They’ll also ask you about your family history and whether anyone in your family has had inflammatory bowel disease in the past.

What tests will a gastroenterologist do to diagnose ulcerative colitis? 

Your PCP and/or a gastroenterologist might need to run tests. They will likely perform blood and stool tests to check for:

• Inflammation

• Blood counts (anemia)

• Infection

• Iron levels

They may also want to use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. You may be referred to radiology specialists for these imaging tests.

Finally, a gastroenterologist will often perform an endoscopy or colonoscopy. This allows them to view the inside of the intestinal tract using a small camera attached to a long tube. They will be looking for a number of findings, which may include ulcers or signs of inflammation (like redness or bleeding). 

Often, the healthcare provider will also take tissue samples (biopsies) of your GI tract while performing the scope. A pathologist will then analyze the tissue sample under a microscope to look for clues about what’s causing your symptoms.

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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