3 Biopsy Questions When Your Colonoscopy Looks Normal

A colonoscopy described as normal can be reassuring and still leave you unsure what explains the diarrhea interrupting your day. If microscopic colitis is being considered, ask whether that description refers to the camera view, the tissue report or both.

Three questions about the biopsy record

1. “Were biopsies taken to assess microscopic colitis?” Ask what the colonoscopy report records about samples and their purpose. The visual appearance alone does not provide the microscopic tissue assessment used for diagnosis.¹

2. “Is the pathology result available?” A pathologist examines the samples after collection.¹ Ask who will explain the report, how you will receive it and what the findings mean for your care.

3. “What else is being considered?” Doctors may use blood or stool tests to check for conditions with similar symptoms, including celiac disease, other inflammatory bowel disease and infections.¹ Ask how those results fit with the biopsy findings.

Keep the two reports together

Request a copy of the colonoscopy report and, if samples were taken, the pathology report. Write the collection date on your question list so the team can identify the procedure you mean.

Tell the clinician what remains difficult: leaving home, getting through a meal or staying at work. Include the diarrhea pattern and the medicines you take. The diagnostic assessment considers symptoms, medical history and examination as well as tests.¹

A question about biopsies is a request to understand the assessment. It does not mean that every episode of diarrhea requires another colonoscopy.

Bloated by Dinner includes a Belly Clock log and visit script. Use them to organize the symptom pattern and the questions you want to bring to follow-up. See the book.