Tropical sprue laboratory findings

Tropical sprue Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Tropical sprue from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X Ray
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Tropical sprue laboratory findings On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Tropical sprue laboratory findings All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Tropical sprue laboratory findings
CDC on Tropical sprue laboratory findings
Tropical sprue laboratory findings in the news
Blogs on Tropical sprue laboratory findings
Directions to Hospitals Treating Tropical sprue
Risk calculators and risk factors for Tropical sprue laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Laboratory Findings

Tropical Sprue can be diagnosed using the following tests and exams:

Stool Examination

• The stools are usually increased in volume and are either watery, or semiformed.
• The finding of fat globules in stool is very suggestive of the presence of steatorrhea.
• It is also helpful to exclude some of the parasites causing chronic diarrhea such as Giardia Lamblia, Entamoeba Histolytic.

Sigmoidoscopy

• Performed in all patients with chronic diarrhea to exclude lesions other than sprue such as amebiasis.
• In sprue, there is hyperemia of the colonic mucosa without ulcerations.
• Bone density test
• CHEM 20
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Comprehensive metabolic panel
• Enteroscopy
• Folate level (serum)
• Iron level (serum)
• Stool examination for bacteria and parasites
• Upper endoscopy
• Upper GI series
• Vitamin B12 level (serum)
• Vitamin D level