Investigation.
Interpretation. Referral.
Practical approaches from my GP teaching, with New Zealand pathways, local laboratory interpretation and relevant differences from international guidance.
Browse the libraryAssess the symptom pattern, check for alarm features and review previous treatment. Use targeted investigations, explain the diagnosis and choose treatment for the symptoms that matter most to the patient.
Ferritin helps assess iron stores. TSAT and Ret-He add information about iron availability when ferritin is equivocal. Read the results together, investigate the cause and check the response to treatment.
Check TSAT and the clinical context before diagnosing iron overload. Metabolic liver disease, alcohol, infection and inflammation are common causes of raised ferritin.
Assess fibrosis risk alongside metabolic health and alcohol intake. FIB-4 can identify adults who need elastography or specialist assessment.
Test while the patient is eating gluten, confirm the diagnosis and arrange dietary and nutritional follow-up.
Use FIT to prioritise colorectal investigation, with the symptoms, examination and blood results determining the next step.
Clarify the stool pattern, review medicines and investigate likely causes. Persistent watery diarrhoea deserves assessment for treatable alternatives to IBS.
Investigate suspicious symptoms promptly. Diagnostic imaging, inherited-risk surveillance and incidental cyst assessment have different purposes.
Choose the investigation for the suspected cause and the need for tissue or treatment. Review previous endoscopy before adding another test.
Use calprotectin to assess possible intestinal inflammation or monitor established IBD. Interpret the value and trend alongside symptoms, infection and medicines.
Confirm active infection, review the antibiotic history and arrange the test of cure when prescribing treatment.
Assess stool consistency, evacuation and daily function, then prescribe an adequate treatment trial and review the response.
Assessment of digestive symptoms, endoscopy and advice on further investigations. Auckland appointments and telehealth.
