Malabsorption Flashcards
What are some common causes of malabsorption?
Coeliac disease, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn’s
What are some symptoms of malabsorption?
Diarrhoea, wt loss, lethargy, steatorrhoea, bloating
What is steatorrhoea?
Excretion of abnormal quantities of fat
Why might a patient present with anaemia?
Lack of iron/folate/B12
Why might a patient present with bleeding disorders?
Lack of vitamin K
Why might a patient present with oedema?
Lack of protein
Why might a patient present with metabolic bone disease?
Lack of vitamin D
What other signs might be present?
Neurological signs
What might you find during an FBC?
Abnormal MCV, low calcium/iron/B12/folate
What will happen to the INR?
It will increase
What other blood tests can you do?
A lipid profile, coeliac tests
What stool tests can you do?
Sudan test, microscopy
What does a Sudan test look for?
Fat globules in stool
What does a breath hydrogen analysis look for?
Bacterial overgrowth
What other test would you do?
Endoscopy and small bowel biopsy
