Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract often cause a lot of trouble and discomfort, however, despite this, people are in no hurry to go to the doctor. Subsequently, this can lead to more serious and sometimes irreparable health problems, so it is very important to carefully monitor your health, undergo all the necessary examinations in time and be treated. During research, the doctor should tell and explain to patients what the name of the analysis for the pancreas and other organs is called for, why such examinations are needed, and also what complications and pathologies can be prevented by making a correct diagnosis in a timely manner.
Preparing for the test
After the doctor notifies the patient about which tests to pass to the pancreas, preparation for the study should begin. It is necessary to take seriously the preparation and follow all the doctor's recommendations when passing the tests, since even the smallest deviation in the collection of material for research can lead to errors in the diagnosis. There are several recommendations that you must follow:
- All tests are done on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning. You should stop eating junk food 3-4 days before the tests: fried, spicy and salty foods, marinade and canned food, coffee, alcoholic beverages and drinks with gas. Legumes should also not be eaten, as they can cause bloating and increased gas formation.
- A few hours before giving blood, you must stop smoking.
- If there is constipation, then measures must be taken to eliminate it, since toxins that are in the body can affect the result of the tests.
- All containers in which the assays are removed must be sterile. Wash hands thoroughly before testing.
- For the study of urine, only the average portion is taken. Women need to carefully conduct personal hygiene before taking urine for research.
Laboratory research
The main task in the inflammatory process that occurs in the pancreas is to determine its general condition. Therefore, it is important to know which tests for the pancreas must be passed in order to identify the pathology in time and start the appropriate therapy.
During exacerbations of diseases, a large release of enzymes occurs, which can be found in urine, feces and blood. The functions of the liver are closely interconnected with the functions of the pancreas, therefore, during the diagnosis, the liver must also be checked. What kind of analysis to pass to the pancreas, the doctor decides, and on the basis of ongoing research will make a diagnosis. But the main of these analyzes are:
- Coprogram - with pancreatitis, this test is the most informative.
- Many are interested in the question of which blood tests for the pancreas need to be passed in order to accurately determine the diagnosis. It is necessary to take both a general and a biochemical blood test. In some cases, you may need to deploy.
- General urine analysis.
- MRI, ultrasound and CT - with the help of these examinations you can determine the condition of the investigated organ, as well as determine the presence of existing pathologies, including cancer.
General blood analysis
With pancreatitis and other inflammatory processes in the pancreas, the number of leukocytes increases sharply, while the leukocyte formula shifts to the left. In addition, the presence of an inflammatory process is indicated by an acceleration of ESR.
Blood chemistry
In order for the results of a biochemical analysis of blood to be the most accurate and reliable, it should be taken on an empty stomach. In the presence of any pathology developing in the pancreas, the indicator of a biochemical blood test will be as follows:
- In the presence of an inflammatory process in the pancreas, the level of c-reactive protein rises.
- With impaired blood glucose metabolism, an increased level of lactate dehydrogenase is observed.
- The degree of cell destruction is determined by the increased level of transaminases ALT and AST.
- The level of total protein is greatly reduced, but cholesterol and low density lipoproteins increase.
- A high level of bilirubin in the blood suggests that the patient may have started or have already begun icteric form of pancreatitis.
Analysis of urine
With diabetes in the urine, the level of sugar and ketone bodies increases. With the development of cancer in the pancreas, the patient’s urine becomes dark brown, and a high level of bilirubin and urobilinogen can be found in the sediment.
Coagulogram
In chronic pancreatitis, it is known that there is no disturbance in blood coagulation. And in order to find out if there are such violations in acute pancreatitis, you need to take such a blood test for the pancreas, which is called a coagulogram. Usually, in acute inflammation of the pancreas, enzymes are released into the bloodstream, which helps to reduce the level of antithrombin III, which is revealed by the coagulogram.
Coprogram
In order to determine how badly the pancreas is affected, your doctor may order a stool test. Usually, with the pathologies of this organ, poor digestion of fats, carbohydrates and proteins is observed. Feces in this case become porridge-like, with pieces of undigested food. And also there is a high content of muscle fibers, starch and connective tissue.
Hormone test
Three hormones are produced in the pancreas:
- Insulin. Lowers blood sugar.
- Glucagon. A hormone that increases glucose levels when deficient.
- C peptide. The concentration of this hormone shows how active the production of own insulin by the gland is.
If there is a deviation in any of these tests, the doctor sends the patient for an additional examination to the endocrinologist.
MRI and CT
Magnetic resonance and computed tomography are mandatory diagnostic methods for suspected cancer of the pancreas and other organs. At the same time, in order to see even the smallest changes in the body, the patient is recommended such an examination using a contrast medium. Indications for such diagnostic measures can be: acute or chronic pancreatitis, liver disease and oncology.
Ultrasound scan
Ultrasound examination of the pancreas is one of the main diagnostic measures for the development of pancreatitis. It is also used to suspect other concomitant inflammatory processes and the formation of a cancerous tumor.
Serum fermentology
A blood test for pancreatic enzymes is performed with exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis or with acute inflammation of the pancreas. Typically, in these cases, the concentration of the enzymes of the gland greatly increases.
An analysis of pancreatic enzymes can show that due to the action on the organ of its own enzymes, their self-destruction process starts automatically. Therefore, timely diagnosis and, if necessary, hospitalization of the patient in a hospital is very important.
Function tests
An analysis of the pancreas or functional tests are necessary when it is necessary to determine the activity of the organ in the presence of chronic inflammation. These tests help identify which part of the pancreas is being overloaded. The following studies are most commonly used:
- Glucose tolerance test. This test helps you determine how well your body can control your blood sugar.
- Secretin-pancreosemin test. Enzymes are introduced into the duodenum that activate the pancreas, and the amount of secretion secreted is estimated.
- Hydrochloric acid-oil test. During this analysis, a weak solution of hydrochloric acid with olive oil is poured into the duodenum. These substances stimulate the cells of the body, which contributes to an increase in enzymes.
Tumor markers
At the initial stage of pancreatic cancer, the patient's condition can remain quite satisfactory. If cancer is suspected during early diagnosis, the doctor decides which test to take for the pancreas. Basically, ultrasound and computed tomography are prescribed, as well as a blood test for tumor markers - specific glycoproteins, with which you can determine in which organ the cancer tumor develops. Tests for pancreatic cancer involve blood donation to the following tumor markers:
- CA-242 appears in the blood of a person with cancer of the pancreas, as well as the small and rectum. In addition, a high blood level of this marker is determined by a pancreatic cyst and pancreatitis.
- CA-19-9. This marker can be detected not only in cancer, but also in cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, gallstones, as well as oncology of the gallbladder and colon.
- CA-72-4. The level of the tumor marker in the patient’s blood rises with cancer of the organ and exacerbation of acute pancreatitis.
- Ca-125. In addition to cancer, this tumor marker can also be detected in oncology of the stomach and liver, as well as in chronic lung pathologies.
- ACE The production is made by the liver cells, with the development of oncology in the pancreas, colon and liver, the level rises significantly.
In order for the studies to be more accurate, the doctor can prescribe several types of tumor markers at once. However, it is worth considering the fact that this diagnostic method is not highly specific, due to the fact that it shows oncology not only in the pancreas, but also in other nearby organs. Therefore, only a doctor can decide which test to pass to the pancreas in case of suspected development of a cancerous tumor of the organ.
The abuse of low-quality and fatty foods, alcohol and tobacco can lead to irreparable pancreatic disorders. It is important to protect your health, consult a doctor in a timely manner and regularly take all the necessary tests, the only way to avoid problems with the work of internal organs, as well as possible serious consequences. A timely diagnosis will help to conduct effective therapy and eliminate pathology.