How do doctors really know if it is UC?

Just curious.  My biopsies showed UC.  My recent flex sig showed no imflamation, (still awaiting those biopsy reports).  Anyhow, I've been wondering, Do UC cells look a certain way?  I heard one person say they were getting a blood test to see if they had UC.  I never had a blood test.  What are your thoughts.  Thanks guys!

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Lori (Bellski)-age 43 from Illinois

Diagnosed February 2008 with Ulcerative Proctitis, possible dysplasia

Currently: symptoms have subsided, awaiting biopsy results for dysplasia

Medications:  Asacol 400mg X 6, Cymbalta 20 mg X 1, Canasa (sometimes) Vitamins:  Calcium 600 + D X 2, One a Day Women's X 1, Citrucel, Probiotics

High fiber diet

"I thank God that  I found this website!"

I was told there are changes in the bowel wall that indicate UC,as regular Colonoscopies can detect if it's spread,even if remission at the time of the C-Scope.This info came from a qualified GI.Blood test will not show UC,but changes in the blood can be "inflammatory markers".They don't show where the inflammation is,but obviously if you are suspected for UC,and the blood test shows you have inflammation,it's a pointer to UC.

Obviously biopsies taken from the bowel are also used to indicate UC.Those are my understandings,hopefully someone else here will clarify a little more.

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Procto-Sigmoiditis dx 1995.First Colonoscopy in ten years,on 29th Feb 2008,revealed moderate to severe Pancolitis.
Current meds;200mg Azathioprine daily.Pentasa 2 x 500mg 4 x daily.
Got Ryche?

The biopsies taken when they do your colonoscopy are the most definitive diagnostic tool, but are used in conjunction with blood tests for what are called "inflammatory markers," stool tests to rule out infection and parasites, and your description of your symptoms. Usually colonoscopy is at the end of this process, when other causes have been eliminated and the doctor knows we're looking for some kind of colitis, most likely UC or Crohn's.

I'm not a pathologist so I can't tell you exactly how the cells change, but the cells in the wall of the intestine change when IBD is present. I do know that in UC only the inner layers of cells are affected, while in Crohn's the whole thickness of the intestinal wall can be affected. Occasionally they will find cell pathology that looks like UC, but with a patchy distribution in the colon that looks like Crohn's. In this case the diagnosis may be "indeterminate" colitis.

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