Consultations and investigations
Understand the test.
Know what to expect.
I will explain why an investigation may help, what it can show and how its result could guide your care.
Explore the optionsThe right next step
for your care.
Choose a service to see what it involves. These explanations do not determine which investigation you need.
- 01Your symptoms
What has changed, when it began and how it affects you.
- 02Your previous results
Blood tests, scans, endoscopy reports and current medicines.
- 03The next decision
Which investigation or treatment could help, and why.
Start with your symptoms.
The order of your care depends on your symptoms and the question we are trying to answer. Sometimes your GP may arrange a specialist opinion first, particularly when it is not yet clear which investigation would be most useful. In other situations, an endoscopy or another investigation, such as blood tests, stool tests, scans or imaging, may be arranged first. I may then see you in clinic to review the findings and discuss what happens next. When I see you, I review your symptoms, medicines and previous results, examine you when appropriate, and discuss which investigations or treatments may help.
Consultations in English and Mandarin, in person or by telehealth.
Simplified route, not to scale. Your right is on image left. Routine examination reaches the first part of the small bowel.
Food pipe, stomach and the first part of the small bowel.
I can inspect the lining, take small biopsies and perform some treatments when appropriate.
Gastroscopy may be recommended for ongoing indigestion or upper abdominal symptoms, difficulty swallowing, repeated vomiting, bleeding, iron-deficiency anaemia, unexplained weight loss or an abnormal scan. It can help investigate reflux complications, ulcers, inflammation, coeliac disease and H. pylori, and allows biopsies or treatment when needed. In selected higher-risk people, gastroscopy may also be considered to look for precancerous changes or early cancer, based on factors such as family history, background and previous findings.
It does not examine the colon or most of the small bowel. A routine gastroscopy is not a full examination of the liver, pancreas or gallbladder.
Simplified route, not to scale. Your right is on image left. The dotted branch into the end of the small bowel is optional.
Rectum and colon. A short part of the terminal ileum may be examined when needed.
I can inspect the lining, take biopsies and remove many polyps during the same procedure.
Colonoscopy may be recommended for bowel cancer prevention and screening, including follow-up after a positive FIT. It may also be needed to investigate rectal bleeding, a persistent change in bowel habit, iron-deficiency anaemia, unexplained weight loss or ongoing bowel symptoms. It can help diagnose bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions. Colonoscopy may also be recommended for follow-up after polyps or bowel cancer, or in selected family-history and inflammatory bowel disease situations.
It does not examine the stomach or most of the small bowel. A normal-looking lining does not exclude conditions that require biopsies.
- 01Blood and stool tests
Selected checks for anaemia, inflammation, infection, digestion or liver disease.
- 02Imaging
Ultrasound, CT or MRI/MRCP can assess organs beyond the digestive lining.
- 03Specialist tests
Liver stiffness, capsule studies, physiology tests or EUS when indicated.
Choose the test for the clinical question.
Blood and stool tests, ultrasound, CT, MRI/MRCP and selected specialist tests can add information that routine endoscopy cannot. I recommend them when the result could guide your care. Depending on the clinical question, I may request them during a clinic consultation, arrange them alongside an endoscopy or organise them afterwards if the findings raise another question.
The appropriate test, referral, preparation and access depend on your symptoms, health and previous results. Some are performed by radiology or another specialist service.
Which part
does it examine?
Gastroscopy and colonoscopy examine different parts of the digestive tract. Some people need both. Neither examines the whole small bowel.
| Examination | Entry route | What I examine | Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastroscopy | Through the mouth | Food pipe, stomach and the first part of the small bowel. | Follow the fasting and medicine instructions for your own booking. |
| Colonoscopy | Through the anus | Rectum and colon. A short part of the terminal ileum may be examined when needed. | Follow your own bowel preparation, fasting and medicine plan. |
Your symptoms, health and previous results guide the choice of investigation.
Read it again,
at your own pace.
Patient guides explain findings, biopsies and follow-up, with diagrams and printable notes.
Patient resources ↗Practical questionsPreparation.
Sedation. Results.
Find answers about medicines, transport, costs and what happens after your procedure.
Frequently asked questions ↗