Essential IBS Test

Don't accept a diagnosis of IBS without checking for other important conditions that cause the same symptoms.

The IBS Test is a blood and stool test you take at home and send to our NHS-testing lab for analysis. We'll screen for key gut conditions commonly confused for IBS and you'll get a doctor's report explaining your results.

What you need to know about our Essential IBS Test

IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is very common but causes very similar symptoms to other gut conditions such as inflammation, coeliac disease, H. pylori and even bowel cancer. For example, a third of people with coeliac disease are initally misdiagnosed with IBS.

Guidelines recommend taking an IBS test before settling on a diagnosis of IBS to check for other common and important conditions that need treatment.

Stress and anxiety play a role in making IBS symptoms worse and sometimes the worry of not knowing what's causing gut symptoms feeds into this vicious circle.

Does the IBS Test check for IBS directly?

IBS is related to the gut-brain axis and isn't associated with any markers we can reliably measure with a stool or blood test. We actually diagnose IBS based on the symptoms and signs as well as ruling out other gut conditions with similar symptoms. This is where the IBS test comes in. We can't test for IBS directly but we can and should test for conditions causing similar symptoms such as gut inflammation, coeliac disease, H. pylori infection and even bowel cancer to rule them out.

If you've taken an IBS test to rule out these other conditions and have typical symptoms of IBS you can be more confident that you have IBS and are not missing anything else which should be treated.

What are the 4 symptoms of IBS?

The 4 main symptoms of IBS are:

1. Stomach pain or discomfort
2. Bloating
3. Diarrhoea, or
4. Constipation

Gut symptoms are often relieved by openning your bowels and made worse by eating. People with IBS also commonly experience non-gut symptoms including:

• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Backache
• Bladder issues

Who should take the IBS test?

IBS is very common and affects about 1-in-5 and 1-in-10 people. Women are more commonly affected with IBS than men. IBS occurs in all ages but most people first get symptoms before the age of 35 and symptoms do seem to improve with age.

In about 10% of people with IBS, their IBS symptoms were triggered by an initial gut infection or gastroenteritis.

But whoever you are, and whatever the cause, before settling on a diagnosis of IBS guidelines recommend taking an IBS test to other important causes of gut symptoms that need treatment.

Blood collection options

• Finger-prick blood collection (included)
• EasyDraw blood collection (+£25.00)
• Visit a clinic to have your blood taken (+£35.00)
• Book a venous draw at home or work with a nurse (+£70.00)
• Arrange your own venous blood draw (included)

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