Gastro referral. Concern?

[TikTokCat]

My GP thinks I have IBS - D as I keep having an upset tummy with urgency. 2 or 3 times a week.
Sometimes constipation too. I feel like diet may be a contributory factor (dairy) bit I am not totally sure. Its becoming very difficult with cramps and I need to get to the toilet quickly. I had a bowel infection 18 months ago and things have not been right since then.

Gp did bloods and most are normal except folate so I have to get some folic acid. And my kidney function so the GP wants to run repeat urine tests for the next 4 months.

I did a poo sample and the FIT test came back as 16. Apparently >10 is positive. She can't refer me under 2ww as I haven't lost weight so I am being referred to gastro.

How concerned should I be at this point?

Anyone?

I’d push for 2WW referral w a positive FIT. It’s Probably fine but I thought that was standard NICE guidelines for positive FIT.

Gp said age, symptoms and positive FIT met the criteria but as I have not lost weight that did not meet the criteria.
It was weird as I had a call yelling me I qas being referred then 2 mins later saying ah, actually you don't meet criteria so I am referring you to gastro instead

I would push for a 2week referral too. I was very low in iron with a FIT test of 10 and loose stools. I was referred on that pathway for a colonoscopy. Had polyps removed.

I thought if FIT is above 10 it's automatic fast track referral for colonoscopy but could be wrong (and frequently am).

What a state we are in if a GP cannot use his/her clinical judgement about whether a 2 week referral is needed. Tick the boxes rather than use the brain. No wonder they are fed up.

I hope you can press for the referral that you need.

Thank you. GP adamant she can't do fast track referral so I have asked for private gastro referral. She was unable to tell me how long I would be waiting for nhs gastro consultant.

Calprotectin markers were very high looking at the tests. I just want to know what's going on now.

@TikTokCat - you’re right to see a private consultant but it’s terrible that you have to (I also saw private gastro through health insurance when my issues started last year).

My DD (27) had a positive fitt around the same level- she was sent for CT, endoscopy and colonoscopy within 10 days. Apart from a few violent stomach bugs she had no other symptoms- no weight loss etc.

My dad was diagnosed with stage three BC with no other symptoms than visible blood in stools. Age wise it was more likely.

Absolutely ridiculous that a GP hasn't referred you. Chances are it's nothing but it absolutely needs checking.

It’s sounds more likely to be crohns or ulcerative colitis rather than IBS if your calprotectin levels are very high op. I waited about 8 weeks to see my gastro when first referred. He slotted me in for a colonoscopy very quickly after that. Follow up appt a week later to start treatment. Did they check your B12? That can be low if your gut isn’t working well. I have regular injections to keep mine up.

I would push for a
colonoscopy. I had a positive FI
T an I ended up being diagnosed with crohns. Have you had a calprotectin done because if that’s high it’s a good indicator of IBD.

Fit was 16
Calprotectin was 317
Folate low but b12 ok
Kidney function apparently low so I have to do more urine tests each month for a few months.

I have managed to get a private gastro appointment mod September so about 4 weeks away...

With that qfit score - its likely polyps or such

Its not a really high qfit score

Many with scores like that have polyps

Thank you. That's helpful

I had 3 polyps found with a score like that - that were removed

Also - positive fit test - they should be giving you a colonoscopy

My polyps were removed during colonoscopy

I had a gastroscopy last week - slept through it after being dosed up.

Saw consultant today and he is booking me in for a colonoscopy

Hi how did you get on ?
I had a negative fit test and normal bloods etc but calprotectin was 275 so relatively elevated. I am due to do another stool sample next week to see if it has dropped but if it’s still elevated or gone up then I will have a colonoscopy.
please don’t let them fob you off, you know your body better then anyone.
I don’t get blood in stool unless I get a pile and I was prone to this after pregnancy.
The only notice diarrhoea after eating spicy food and constipation after either iron tablets or wheat.
when I was pregnant I had mild iron anemia but my levels are fine now so I have no clue why my calprotectin is elevated

I was eventually diagnosed with Bile acid malabsorption and have been prescribed colosevelam to help. Only recently started taking it