If you have been struggling with your digestive system, then your doctor may order the ASCA blood test to help determine what is going on. The primary purpose of this blood test is to distinguish the difference between ulcerative colitis and Chron’s disease when an inflammatory bowel condition is suspected. Someone who had abdominal pain and diarrhea that is intermittent in nature, but still persistent, then a visit to the doctor is necessary.
No special needs are required to be fulfilled to have this blood test taken. The blood draw can occur the same day that it is ordered by a doctor.
The ASCA Blood Test Is Used With the pANCA Blood Test
Most people who are suspected of having Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD] will actually have two tests ordered. The ASCA blood test is the first and then the pANCA blood test is the second. This combination will generally give a doctor a definitive diagnosis of what is going on. This is because people with IBD will typically have two different classes of antibodies in their blood, IgG and IgA, that can be detected.
Here is what the ASCA blood test results mean when combined with the pANCA blood test.
1. If the ASCA blood test comes back as positive, but the pANCA blood test is negative, then this indicates the presence of Crohn’s disease.
2. If the ASCA blood test comes back as negative, but the pANCA blood test is positive, then this indicates the presence of ulcerative colitis.
It is also important to note that have a negative result for both blood tests does not automatically rule out either condition or another IBD disorder being the cause of the symptoms being experienced. A dual positive blood test, on the other hand, may indicate that there is a more serious aggressive disease present than IBD. Negative results do not necessarily exclude the presence of an aggressive disease either.
The severity of these IBD conditions is not dictated by how high a positive result happens to be. These blood tests cannot be used to determine if you are being properly treated for your specific condition.
How Long Does It Take To Receive Results?
Because the presence of the ASCA antibodies can be difficult to detect, not every local testing laboratory has the ability to perform this test. Rural communities espeically may need to send this blood test out as a referral to get results. This means it may take up to 5 days [and sometimes more] to receive results.
Once there are ASCA antibodies in the blood, they will not go away. Their presence is an indication that there is something going on, even if symptoms are not being felt. Because IBD can cause no symptoms or something non-specific like fatigue, anyone feeling a combination of abdominal pain, fatigue, joint problems, or unexplained aches should consider speaking with their doctor about having this blood test ordered.
In children especially, the presence of an IBD can cause delays in development and stunted growth. Obtaining a diagnosis to then properly treat the condition is necessary.
For many IBDs, treatment involves suppression of the immune system in combination with diet and nutrition changes. Most people with an IBD find that spicy foods and items that contain high amounts of fiber are not well tolerated. Softer, more bland foods are typically better tolerated and may even help to promote healing.
Eventually about 7 out of 10 people with an IBD will require some form of advanced treatment. When Crohn’s disease is present, that advanced treatment is typically surgery. The physician will removed the diseased portion of the bowel and then attached the two healthy ends together. This can instantly relieve symptoms, but an IBD can return after being surgically treated.
There Is No Definitive Cure For an IBD
The goal of your doctor’s order for the ASCA blood test isn’t to find a cure for your condition, but to determine which IBD issue needs to be treated. Most treatment plans are designed around trying to reduce the amount of inflammation that is present within the digestive tract. In severe cases, corticosteroids might be offered in addition to diet changes and immune system suppressors.
Based on your specific results, your doctor may wish to order other tests. This usually occurs if both the ASCA and pANCA blood tests are positive.
The presence of ulcerative colitis may also indicate the presence of a chronic bacterial infection. If a fever is present with your symptoms, the antibiotics may also be ordered. These can help to heal fistulas and assist with drainage.
Even with a positive ASCA blood test, a vast majority of people go on to live a long, happy life. Speak with your doctor about any concerns you may have.