GastroPanel

Stomach problems?

Millions of people experience non-specific stomach complaints from time to time, or even on daily basis. Less than half will seek medical advice. GastroPanel is a patient-friendly blood test for assessing the structure and function of your stomach. It is a simple and painless means to find out whether your stomach is healthy.

Stomach problems may present as pain or discomfort, heartburn, a feeling of heaviness, bloating, nausea or vomiting. Sometimes even severe conditions that require medical attention are asymptomatic making it even more important to ensure that you get accurate information on the status of your stomach. GastroPanel is a blood test, suitable for all adults suffering from gastric complaints. The results give valuable information to your doctor who can advise you on the need for further investigations.

What does GastroPanel® detect?

GastroPanel® is intended as the first-line diagnostic test for dyspeptic complaints to detect Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis (mucosal atrophy) caused by helicobacter or autoimmune disease, disclose the associated risks like gastric and esophageal cancer as well as malabsorption of B12 vitamin, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and certain medicines. Use of GastroPanel-examination is recommended also in health controls because helicobacter infection and particularly atrophic gastritis are in most cases asymptomatic. Autoimmune diseases (e.g. type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyreoiditis, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis) are not infrequently associated with autoimmune atrophic gastritis. GastroPanel-disclosed i) symptomatic helicobacter infection after eradication attempt, ii) atrophic gastritis, or iii) symptomatic high acid output are indications of gastroscopy with targeted biopsies.

GastroPanel Sample Collection Instructions

Interpretation of GastroPanel by GastroSoft

Consumers

Acid that is called hydrochloric acid (HCI) is always present in a healthy stomach. It is important for the body because the stomach acid helps digestion and also acts as a shield against harmful microbes in the gastrointestinal system.

Many people suffer from vague stomach trouble, at least from time to time. The symptoms may vary and can be caused, for example, by too little acid secretion leading to an anacidic stomach, or, excessive acid secretion. An anacidic stomach can be caused by either a chronic inflammation of the mucosa (i.e. atrophic gastritis), or long-term use of antacids such as proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) which block the action of the acid-forming cells.

It is important to identify the exact causes of these problems, because even insignificant disorders may predispose to gastric diseases.

Download the GastroPanel Consumer brochure

Healthcare professionals and laboratories

What is GastroPanel®?

GastroPanel is a straightforward blood test that provides an accurate indication of stomach health and reports on the structure and function of the gastric mucosa. The GastroPanel test provides doctors with laboratory data to support their clinical decision-making and helps identify patients requiring further examinations.  The GastroPanel report has been developed to assist doctors in interpreting the test results.

GastroPanel is used as the first-line diagnostic tool for adult patients suffering from dyspepsia. It is a particularly useful tool for general practitioners and those engaged in occupational health care. GastroPanel is a patient-friendly test that provides an overview of the status of the gastric mucosa. The results should guide the patients to seek appropriate additional examinations, including gastroscopy.

What does the GastroPanel® test measure?

GastroPanel is a simple blood test that can be used to assess the status of the gastric mucosa, including the gastric acid output.  GastroPanel will not only identify H.pylori infection but the test also indicates whether there are changes in the mucosa suggesting chronic inflammation.

GastroPanel® can be used to:

  • Identify patients with a healthy gastric mucosa
  • Identify patients requiring gastroscopy
  • Identify patients with achlorhydria and hypochlorhydria
  • Diagnose H. pylori
  • Diagnose atrophic gastritis

GastroPanel® will highlight the following risks:

  • Peptic and duodenal ulcers
  • Gastric cancer 
  • Vitamin B12 and other micronutrient deficiencies

GastroPanel® will provide guidelines for further examinations:

  • Gastroscopy and biopsy
  • Helicobacter eradication treatment
  • Further investigation of malabsorption or anaemia (see: the risks)

Decision-makers

When GastroPanel is applied for the risk-screening of gastric cancer, concrete cost savings can be achieved based on the early diagnosis of gastritis and possibility to intervene before cancer develops: 

  • Fewer surgical and oncological treatments
  • Reduce labour loss due to premature deaths
  • First-line diagnosis of dyspeptic patients
  • Less sick leave (caused by dyspepsia, ulcer etc.)

When GastroPanel is applied as a primary method for the screening of stomach troubles, patients can be directed to further measures that benefit them most. This includes: starting PPI medication, H. pylori eradication therapy and gastroscopy. With the help of these results, endoscopies can be done to those who truly benefit from it.

Biohit has developed a GastroPanel screening model calculation tool which can be used to demonstrate the level of savings (in EURO´s) achievable when GastroPanel screenings are used a primary investigation method for patients with stomach troubles, or, as a population-based screening program. 

You may check and try out the screening and municipality models via following pages: