Tummy trouble?

Millions of people experience non-specific stomach problems and pains, which can affect them from time to time or even on a daily basis. Less than half will seek medical advice. GastroPanel is a patient-friendly blood test for assessing the condition of your stomach. It is a straightforward and painless way to find out whether your stomach is healthy.

Stomach problems may present as pain or discomfort, heartburn, a feeling of heaviness, bloating, nausea or vomiting. Sometimes conditions that require medical treatment show no symptoms at all, and therefore it is important to make sure that you have access to accurate information on the condition of your stomach. GastroPanel is a blood test, suitable for all adult patients suffering from gastric complaints. Your doctor can use the results to advise you on the need for further investigation or treatment.

What does GastroPanel measure?

GastroPanel is a painless blood test, which provides information on the condition of the lining of your stomach, possible helicobacter infection or the complete absence of any acid in your stomach, also known as achlorhydria. The test can also be used to assess the risk of developing a vitamin B12 or other micronutrient deficiency. A normal test result indicates that your mucosa is healthy and it may indicate if the gastric complaints you are experiencing are functional or colon-related.

Infections should not be left untreated

A helicobacter infection causes inflammation of the lining of your stomach and is often contracted in childhood. If left untreated, the helicobacter infection is associated with a significantly increased risk of peptic and duodenal ulcers and gastric cancer. In the long-term, inflammation caused by a helicobacter infection or an autoimmune condition can lead to permanent changes in the mucosa or stop the production of acid in your stomach. Known as achlorhydria, this condition is associated with vitamin B12 and micronutrient (including iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc) deficiencies and may prevent you from absorbing certain medicines properly. It can also cause anaemia.

GastroPanel test is a reliable method for diagnosing helicobacter infections and any damage to the gastric mucosa caused by infection. Take care of your stomach and find out the resolution to any gastric trouble as soon as possible.

Before you take the test

PATIENT INFORMATION – GASTROPANEL TEST

Please notice before the blood sample collection the following:

Avoid eating, drinking and smoking at least 4 hours before sample collection.
The patient is allowed to take prescribed, regular medication, except the following medicine which have effects on the secretion of gastric fluids:

One week prior to sample collection:

medicine which inhibits the secretion of gastric acid; ranitidine (Esophex, Inside Brus, Ranicur, Ranil, Ranimex, Ranitidin, Ranitidine, Ranixal, Zantac), famotidine (Famotidin, Pepcid, Pepcidin, Pepcid Duo), nizadine (Nizax), proton pump inhibitors lanzoprazole, omepratsole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole etc. (Lansoprazol, Lansoprazole, Lanzo, Zolt, Losec, Omeprazol, Nexium, Pariet, Somac, Gasterix, Pantoloc, Giasemin, Panzor).

One day prior to sample collection:

medication neutralizing gastric acid secretion : antasides (Balancid Novum, Gaviscon, Link, Magnesium milk, Novaluzid, Rennie) and mucosa protectin agents (Alsucral, Antepsin).

Please consult your physician about the interruption of medication. In case the medicines inhibiting gastric acid secretion cannot be interrupted kindly inform the names of the medicines to the person who is taking the blood sample.

Stomach complaints

Many of us suffer from non-specific stomach problems that may affect us from time to time or on a daily basis. The symptoms can vary and are often caused either by the absence or excessive production of stomach acid. It is important to identify the exact cause of these problems. The absence of stomach acid, also known as achlorhydria, can leave sufferers more susceptible to certain stomach-related diseases and nutritional deficiencies.

GastroPanel – identifying the cause of your stomach problems

Acid is always present in a healthy stomach. Stomachs that have either too much or no acid at all can often present with very similar symptoms, including heartburn and bloating. In an achlorhydric or hypochlorhydric stomach, too little or no acid is secreted by the gastric mucosa. This may be due to chronic inflammation of the mucosa, i.e. atrophic gastritis or the long-term use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). Atrophic gastritis means that the lining of the stomach is damaged, preventing it functioning normally. The condition is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer. If GastroPanel results suggest that you may suffer from atrophic gastritis, it is recommended to seek further investigation, such as gastroscopy. Always discuss the results with your doctor, who will help you to decide if further tests are needed.

GastroPanel can also be used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori

A Helicobacter pylori infection is a significant risk factor for atrophic gastritis and stomach ulcers. If left untreated, a third of all those infected will go on to develop atrophic gastritis. The atrophy can also be caused by an autoimmune condition. Helicobacter lives on the stomach lining and the infection often dates back to childhood. Both Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis can be asymptomatic, meaning that there are no symptoms. GastroPanel test can be used to assess the health of your stomach lining and detect a Helicobacter pylori infection.

Malabsorption associated with hypochlohydria

In atrophic gastritis, the lack of stomach acids can lead to the malabsorption of vitamin B12 and micronutrients, including iron, calcium and zinc. The most common affect of the iron and vitamin B12 malabsorption is anaemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause neurological symptoms. The GastroPanel test can be used to identify the risk of malabsorption at an early stage, before the condition becomes symptomatic and begins to show signs.

Acetium offers protection to achlorhydric stomachs

The continuous use of antacids can cause achlorhydria or the absence of acid in the stomach. Atrophic gastritis can also lead to a reduction in acid secretion. A healthy stomach always has acid. It is important for achlorhydric stomachs to be protected against acetaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Biohit has developed the Acetium capsule for this purpose. Acetium eliminates the harmful acetaldehyde from achlorhydric and hypochlorhydric stomachs.

Find out more about acetaldehyde, risk groups and Acetium.

FAQ

1) What will this test tell me?

GastroPanel test will provide information on the health of the stomach. It is used to test for helicobacter infection and atrophic gastritis, which is a chronic inflammation of the stomach mucosa. The biomarker levels found in blood sample indicate the degree of inflammation in the stomach, any changes to the mucosa, gastric acid levels and if that has affected the ability to absorb e.g. vitamin B12.

3) Will this test show whether I have cancer?

GastroPanel test is not designed to diagnose cancer but it can be used to identify patients with an increased risk of stomach cancer. These patients can be referred for further testing and, if necessary, for regular monitoring to make sure that any cancer they may develop can be detected as early as possible.

5) Will I need a gastroscopy after this?

If the GastroPanel results show that the stomach mucosa is not working normally, the doctor may recommend a gastroscopy.

2) Is this test being done as part of a medical trial?

The GastroPanel test is a blood test designed to tell more about the health of the stomach. If we would like to use sample for research purposes, we would naturally ask you your full consent first.

4) I have eaten just one Fisherman’s Friend lozenge and I’m now due for my blood test. Is this a problem?

You should not eat anything at all for at least 4 hours before the test, except for a glass of water. Even a single lozenge can affect the test results. The stomach reacts to everything you put in it. However, eating one won’t prevent from taking the test. It is good to mention it to the person taking the sample.

Contact

Biohit Oyj

Laippatie 1
00880 Helsinki
Finland

Phone +358 9 773 861
Fax +358 9 773 2867

info(at)biohit.fi

www.biohithealthcare.com

Biohit HealthCare Ltd.

Unit 1
Barton Hill Way
Torquay, Devon TQ2 8JG, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1803 315 900
Fax: +44 1803 315 530
E-mail: sales(a)biohithealthcare.co.uk

Biohit is a globally operating biotechnology company that develops, manufactures and markets diagnostic tests and analysis systems.

Locate your nearest distributor

Search from site