Diagnosing UC vs. Crohn's

Does anyone know if UC or Crohn's can be diagnosed through a blood test? Or does a GI have to scope you, take a tissue sample, and then send it off to a lab?

I was first diagnosed with Crohn's after a colonoscopy, and the GI diagnosed me just by looking at my colon. Can they really tell the difference between UC and Crohn's just by looking?

Thanks for any input you have on this.

I'm not sure about blood work tbut visually yes, a difference can be seen. In UC the inflammation and ulcers are continuous. In Chrons it can be sections with non-inflammed sections . Chrons doesn't have to be continuous and can go in to the small intestine as well. UC starts at the rectum is contimuous. Mine goes all the way through the colon (pancolitis). So if your GI saw segments that weren't inflammed between two inflammed sections that would be chrons not UC.

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Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, down to 15 mg pred.
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---fingers crossed!
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea