GastroPanel
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GastroPanel for the patient
GastroPanel for the patient
Approximately 20% of the population in many Western countries suffers from dyspepsia symptoms: acute or chronic pain and discomfort in the upper stomach. Less than half of these people usually visit the doctor. Instead, many practice self-medication, which is promoted by e.g. antacid commercials. Self-medication is often unsuccessful and sometimes even unsafe. Doctors also often treat the patients only based on the symptoms described by them, and on an educated guess. It is not possible to send every patient to gastroscopy and biopsy examination.
About half the World’s population carries Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in their stomach mucosa, and approximately half of these people will develop atrophic gastritis in their lifetime. In atrophic gastritis, the cells and glands of stomach mucosa are destroyed, which causes serious structural and functional damage, and increases the risk of many stomach related diseases. Atrophic gastritis may also be caused by autoimmune disease, which is rare.
Atrohic gastritis, which is most commonly asymptomatic, can progress into gastric cancer in a few percent of the sufferers. Even though the incidence of gastric cancer is on the decline, it is still relatively common in the older population as the average lifetime increases. H. pylori is also the most common cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers; the second most common cause is pain killers.
Another important problem resulting from atrophic gastritis is deficiency of vitamin B12, and deficiencies of e.g. iron, calcium and magnesium. It has been found that approximately half the people suffering from asymptomatic atrophic gastritis have deficiency of vitamin B12 at the time of atrophic gastritis diagnosis, and possibly all atrophic gastritis patients will develop the deficiency with time as stocks of vitamin B12 run out. Untreated deficiency of vitamin B12 may cause permanent damages to the nervous system, resulting in e.g. depression and dementia. It may also cause elevated homocysteine levels, which is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and stroke. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, and calcium deficiency osteoporosis. In addition to atrophic gastritis patients, also e.g. celiac disease patients and elderly on poor diet may suffer from these deficiencies.
What is GastroPanel examination for?
GastroPanel examination can be used to diagnose H. pylori infection and atrophic gastritis, and to estimate the risks related to these conditions. It is the only examination in the World where diseases of the stomach mucosa and the related risks can be diagnosed from a blood sample. The only other method to get the same information is gastroscopy and biopsy examination, which is relatively expensive, and very uncomfortable for the patient. Approximately half of the gastroscopies performed result in the diagnosis of a healthy stomach mucosa. GastroPanel examination can reliably diagnose healthy stomach mucosa, and differentiate these patients - who do not need gastroscopy - from those who really need it; the same applies for the use of certain medicines. GastroPanel testing can therefore both save the patient from unnecessary discomfort, and prevent unnecessary healthcare costs. Patients with stomach problems but a healthy stomach mucosa usually have “functional dyspepsia”, or disease outside the stomach, e.g. in the colon, and can be directed to other type of testing and treatment.
GastroPanel is therefore recommended before prescription of medication to anybody suffering from stomach discomfort; and it should also be a routine examination for anybody over 50 years of age. This is because H. pylori infection and atrophic gastritis is most common in this age group, and because atrophic gastritis is most commonly asymptomatic.
What to do if you have stomach discomfort?
You can ask your doctor about GastroPanel testing, or contact Biohit at info@biohit.com.
The results of the GastroPanel examination must always be considered together with a doctor who can take into consideration necessary factors related to the interpretation of the results. If H. pylori infection and/or atrophic gastritis is diagnosed, the doctor may suggest e.g. H. pylori eradication treatment and/or gastroscopy. This enables early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of any more serious disease. The meaning of the test results is explained on the Interpretation of the results page.
How do I prepare for the testing?
GastroPanel examination requires a fasting blood sample taken from the test taken from the bend of the arm. You can read detailed patient instruction from the Biohit Service Laboratory website.
