Gastrointestinal Disease – Laboratory Screening and Diagnosis



 

This presentation will distinguish the difference between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Explain how fecal calprotectin or fecal lactoferrin can be used to differentiate IBS and IBD along with ways to monitor inflammatory disease course. In addition, we will explore the testing used to screen and diagnose colorectal cancer.

Originally presented on December 6, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah.


Lecture Presenter

Heather A. Nelson, PhD DABCC

Heather A. Nelson, PhD DABCC

Assistant Professor of Pathology
University of Utah School of Medicine
Medical Director, Chemistry
ARUP Laboratories

Dr. Heather Nelson is a medical director of Clinical Chemistry at ARUP Laboratories, and an assistant professor (clinical) at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She received her doctorate degree in cell and developmental biology from SUNY Upstate Medical University. She then completed fellowships in diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolism at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and in clinical chemistry from the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Nelson is a diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Chemistry and a member of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry. She received the 2022 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting—First Place Student Oral Presentation Award, 2022 AACC SYCL Travel grant, 2021 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting—Student Research Poster Award: Honorable mention and the 2021 ACLPS Paul E. Strandjord Young Investigator Award. Her research interests include endocrinology, diabetes, lipids, and laboratory best practices.


Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Distinguish irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Explain how fecal calprotectin or fecal lactoferrin can be used to help differentiate IBD from IBS and to monitor inflammatory disease course
  • Describe the tests used to screen for, and diagnose, colorectal cancer

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and ARUP Laboratories