Diagnostic Tests for Abdominal pain

Diagnostic Test list for Abdominal pain:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Abdominal pain includes:

• General appearance - looking for jaundice, signs of recent weight loss, distress.
• Is there shock? - i.e. reduced blood pressure, increased heart rate suggesting ruptured peptic ulcer or acute pancreatitis.
• Palpate the abdomen gently - to assess tenderness, rigidity of abdomen and to feel for any masses.
• Examine for hernia
• Listen to the bowel sounds - to assess possible bowel obstruction.
• Rectal examination - noting any tenderness, masses or blood.
• Vaginal examination - noting any tenderness, masses or discharge.
• Urine examination
  • Urine glucose - to assess presence of glucose.
  • Urine ketones - ketones for diabetes.
  • Urine blood - to assess presence of blood in renal colic.
  • Urine bilirubin - to assess presence of bilirubin in cholangitis.
  • Urine protein - to assess presence of protein in pyelonephritis.
  • Urine porphobilinogen - to assess porphobilinogen in porphria.
• Examine lungs and heart system - to assess possibility of lungs or heart causing abdominal pain.
• Blood tests
  • Full blood count - looking for anemia, inflammation.
  • Electrolytes - looking for signs of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
  • Pancreatic enzymes - looking for pancreatitis.
  • Pregnancy test - looking for ectopic pregnancy.
  • Blood cultures- if there are chills and fever
• Stool examination - for occult blood, ovum or parasites.
• Radiographic investigations - depending on location of mass and associated symptoms - e.g. X-ray abdomen.
  • Ultrasound of abdomen and /or pelvis - looking for gallstones, abdominal aneurysm, ectopic pregnancy.
  • IVP - looking for signs of urinary stones.
  • Nuclear scan of gallbladder - useful in detecting acute cholecystitis.
  • Gallium scan - to detect diverticular abscess.
  • CT Abdomen
  • Chest X-ray - to rule out pneumonia.
  • ECG and cardiac enzymes - to rule out heart attack.
• Endoscopic procedure - to help diagnose stomach cancer, peptic ulcer, gastritis, reflux oesophagitis, colon cancer and diverticulitis.
• Surgical investigations depending on location of mass and associated symptoms - e.g. Laparoscopy is useful in diagnosing many types of abdominal pain, Exploratory laparotomy if diagnosis remains in doubt.
• Angiography - can diagnose an aneurysm or mesenteric infarction.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Abdominal pain causes:

• Food Allergies & Intolerances: Home Testing:
  • Home Food Allergy Tests
  • Home Food Intolerance Testing
  • Home Water Testing
  • Home Lead Poisoning Tests
  • Home Heavy Metal Poisoning Tests
• Nerve Neuropathy: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Diabetes Test Kits
  • Home Blood Glucose Testing Kits
• Digestive-Related Home Testing:
  • Home Stomach Ulcer Tests
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Test Kits
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Test Kits

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