MICROSCOPIC COLITIS
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Crohn’s & Colitis UK | www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk
Other tests you may have
You may have a test for bile acid malabsorption. This is usually carried out in
the Nuclear Medicine outpatient department of the hospital. You’ll be given a
small capsule of a synthetic bile salts to swallow which contains a small amount
of harmless radioactive material known as SeHCAT. You’ll then have a scan and
another one a week later. These will measure the absorption of the radioactive bile
salts. Find out more about bile acid diarrhoea in our information on Diarrhoea and
Constipation.
Delay in getting a diagnosis
It may take some time to get a diagnosis of Microscopic Colitis, and this can be
frustrating.
This may be because:
• A poo test (faecal calprotectin) isn’t usually helpful – this nds evidence of
inammation in the gut, but with Microscopic Colitis levels are often quite low.
• Your colon and rectum will look normal at colonoscopy - it is vital to take
biopsies to nd Microscopic Colitis.
• Symptoms may be similar other conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS) or coeliac disease which doctors may be more familiar with,
TREATMENTS FOR MICROSCOPIC COLITIS
Before you’re offered any treatment for Microscopic Colitis your doctor will review
the medicines you already take for other conditions.
Medicines that may trigger Microscopic Colitis include:
• non-steroidal anti-inammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, diclofenac
• some proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole and lansoprazole used
to reduce stomach acid
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used to treat depression
• asprin
• acarbose for diabetes,
• ranitidine for indigestion and heart burn
• ticlopidine for blood conditions
• statins for cholesterol control.
Many of these medicines can also cause diarrhoea as a side effect. But if you are
taking any of these do not stop taking them until you’ve talked to your doctor.
Lifestyle changes
Cutting down alcohol and caffeine can be helpful in reducing diarrhoea. It’s often
useful to keep a record of when you stop or cut down and how your symptoms
change, such as in the food diary in Food.
•Try cutting down on caffeine – drink decaffeinated tea, coffee, soft drinks or
water and reduce the amount of chocolate you eat.
•Cut down alcohol – drinking less has been shown to help symptoms.
•Stop smoking - smoking increases the risk of Microscopic Colitis, and people
who smoke have symptoms which are worse and less likely to get better with
treatment. Your GP practice can offer support with stopping smoking.
It’s been hard to get a diagnosis
and treatment. Even after that
Microscopic Colitis is still not
considered to be as serious as
other conditons.
Lyn, age 60
living with Microscopic Colitis
Food triggers often change. I can
eat something perfectly well one
month and not the next.
Michaela,
age 54
living with Microscopic Colitis