How to prepare for a gastroenterology appointment
What to bring
- A symptom summary covering at least a few weeks. What it should contain.
- Previous test results, including anything ordered privately. Bring the actual numbers and reference ranges, not a recollection.
- A medication and supplement list, including doses and anything recently started or stopped.
- What you have already tried: diets, probiotics, medications, and what happened with each.
- Family history of bowel cancer, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease.
- Your questions, written down.
What you will be asked
Most of a first appointment is history taking. Preparing answers for these makes the whole thing go better:
| Question | What they are getting at |
|---|---|
| When did it start, and what has changed? | New and progressive matters more than long-standing and stable |
| Relationship to meals? | Separates functional patterns from other mechanisms |
| Relationship to bowel movements? | Relief on opening the bowels is characteristic of IBS |
| Stool frequency and form? | Determines subtype and guides treatment |
| Any weight change? | A key alarm symptom |
| Night-time symptoms? | Functional symptoms usually settle during sleep |
| What have you tried? | Avoids repeating failed approaches |
Do not change your diet first
It is tempting to arrive having already cut things out, to show willing. It usually makes the appointment less useful.
Stopping gluten is the specific mistake. Coeliac serology detects an antibody response to gluten, so removing it beforehand can produce a false negative and cost you a clear answer, sometimes for months while you go back on it to retest. If you have already stopped, say so at the start.
What usually happens afterwards
- Blood tests: coeliac serology, full blood count, iron studies, inflammatory markers, sometimes thyroid.
- Stool tests: faecal calprotectin to separate inflammation from functional, sometimes elastase.
- A breath test, if overgrowth or a specific sugar intolerance is suspected.
- Imaging or endoscopy, if red flags or abnormal results indicate it.
- A dietitian referral, for a supervised low FODMAP trial. Worth asking about if not offered.
Which of these earn their place covers what each one actually tells you.
Before you leave the room
Three things worth confirming:
What is being tested, and when will I hear?
Including how results will reach you, and what to do if they do not.
What is the plan if the tests are normal?
Normal results are the most likely outcome and are not the end of the process. Know what follows.
What should bring me back sooner?
An explicit safety net, so you are not left guessing.
Minthe is a wellness and self-tracking tool, not a medical device. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have red-flag symptoms such as blood in your stool, unintentional weight loss, difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting or a fever alongside gut symptoms, see a clinician rather than tracking them.
Frequently asked
What will they actually ask me?
Expect questions about when symptoms started, how they have changed, their relationship to meals and to bowel movements, stool frequency and form, weight change, family history, medications, and what you have already tried. Having answers ready for those is most of the preparation.
Should I change my diet before going?
Generally no, and specifically do not stop eating gluten, because it can invalidate coeliac testing. Arriving on your normal diet gives a clearer picture. If you have already eliminated things, say so, since it affects how results are interpreted.
Will I get a scope at the first appointment?
Usually not. A first appointment is normally history, examination and a plan for investigation. Endoscopy or colonoscopy, if indicated, is typically arranged separately. Ask what would make one necessary so you know what to expect.
How do I make sure I am taken seriously?
Bring data rather than adjectives. Frequency, severity and stool form recorded over several weeks changes the register of the conversation. State any red flag symptoms first, and be specific about how symptoms affect daily life, since functional impact carries weight.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes, and it is worth it for a first appointment. A second person catches things you miss and can take notes while you concentrate on the conversation.