Functional Gut Assessment

A functional gut assessment may include blood, stool, or breath tests, and sometimes imaging or endoscopy. Your Welbeck consultant will recommend the most suitable tests to understand your symptoms and guide treatment. 

At Welbeck, a range of advanced tests are available to assess gut health, including:

Endoscopy (sigmoidoscopy)

This test uses a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera to examine the inside of your rectum. Images can also be taken for closer analysis. 

Anal manometry 

Anal manometry measures how well the muscles and nerves around your rectum are working. A small device with a balloon is gently inserted, and pressure readings are taken while you squeeze, relax, and push your rectal muscles. 

Ultrasound

An ultrasound scan creates detailed images of the anus and is especially useful for detecting sphincter muscle damage. 

Defecography

Defecography examines how you pass stools and can detect problems like obstructions or prolapse that may not be seen in a standard rectal exam. A contrast liquid (barium) is placed into the rectum before an X-ray is taken as you pass stools.

The tests involved in a functional gut assessment are generally very safe. If you need to have any advanced or invasive tests, any risks will be explained to you beforehand by your consultant.

Preparation for a functional gut assessment depends on which test you’re having, but general guidance includes:

• fasting – you may be asked not to eat or drink for several hours before certain tests

• bowel preparation – for procedures like endoscopy or defecography, you may need to take a laxative or have an enema, to clear your bowel

• medication – your consultant will advise if you should stop or adjust any medicines before the test

• clothing – wear comfortable clothing, as you may be asked to change into a gown

• support – for some procedures, you may need someone to accompany you home afterwards

Most gut tests allow you to go home the same day, with only mild discomfort that soon settles. If sedation is used, you’ll need someone to accompany you. Your Welbeck consultant will explain you results and guide you with any follow-up care.

Please contact our Digestive Health centre for pricing information. 

At Welbeck, our digestive health specialists are experts in their field and provide world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof. 

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book a functional gut assessment, you must be referred by either your GP or a digestive health specialist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this test.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a digestive health specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.