Colonic transit study – adults

Introduction

This leaflet is for adult patients to explain what a colonic transit study is and what to expect before, during and after your appointment.

Please read the information below carefully.

You are required to take capsules prior to the x-ray. Instructions for these are outlined in this document. If you do not receive these seven days before your x-ray appointment, please contact us on 01223 348897.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the X-ray Department on01223 216270. You can also visit the CUH X-ray webpage for more information about this department.

About colonic transit study

A colonic transit study looks at how your large bowel (colon) is working. The study helps to diagnose any conditions.

The large bowel transports food from your small intestine to your bottom (anus). This study checks how quickly food moves through your large bowel.

During a colonic transit study, you have one or two x-rays of your tummy (abdomen).

Before your x-ray, we send you capsules to swallow. These capsules contain small markers, which show up on x-ray. This helps the radiology doctor (radiologist) to check how your bowel is working.

Preparing for the test

Before your x-ray, we will send you six capsules to swallow. You need to swallow two capsules a day for three days. These capsules contain small markers, which show up on an x-ray.

If you are vegetarian or vegan, please be aware that the capsules contain gelatine (an animal product). If you do not wish to swallow these, please contact the referring consultant for advice.

You can eat and drink normally throughout this study.

Do not use any laxatives (medicine to help you poo) before or during this study. This is to ensure accurate results are obtained that will help to determine the next steps in your care with regards to subsequent treatment, advice and/or medication.

Taking the capsules

At the back of the silver packet, you will notice six numbered capsules (1 1, 2 2, 3 3).

• Day 1: Swallow the first pair of capsules (numbers 1 1) with water at breakfast.
• Day 2: Swallow the second pair of capsules (numbers 2 2) with water at breakfast.
• Day 3: Swallow the third pair of capsules (numbers 3 3) with water at breakfast.
• Day 4: There are no capsules to take.
• Day 5: There are no capsules to take.
• Day 6: Appointment date for abdominal x-ray.

Your appointment will be between 08:30 (8.30am) and 17:00 (5pm) in the X-ray Department, which is on level 2, Outpatients, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ. You will be notified if your appointment is at a different location.

Risks of taking the capsules

When you should not take the capsules

• Do not take the capsules if there is any chance that you could be pregnant. Contact the nurse specialist or X-ray Department if you believe you are pregnant. Radiation can be harmful for an unborn baby.
• Do not take the capsules if you are allergic to gelatine or barium sulphate, because the capsules contain them.

Allergic reaction to the capsules

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call the Gastroenterology Department if you have an allergic reaction such as:

• a rash
• itchiness
• redness

Call 999 or go to A&E if you have an allergic reaction such as swelling of the:

• face
• lips
• tongue
• throat

Giving your permission (consent)

We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment.

The radiographer will ask you if you are happy to have the x-ray. This is called verbal consent. It might only involve the radiographer checking that you are booked for the correct x-ray.

If you would like more information about our consent process, please speak to a member of staff caring for you.

Having an x-ray

The x-ray is a quick and painless test. It only takes a few minutes, but please allow enough time to be in the department for at least 30 minutes.

You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. The radiographer will then call you into the x-ray room and ask you to lie flat on your back on the x-ray table. You will be helped into position.

Risks of having an x-ray

People are often concerned about being exposed to radiation during an x-ray. You have been referred to the imaging department for an x-ray examination or procedure. A specialist in radiology agrees that this is the best examination / procedure to answer the clinical question that has been asked and that the benefit of the examination is greater than the risk.

The x-ray involves a dose of ionising radiation which can be equivalent to a few weeks, months or years (depending on the test) of natural background radiation to which we are all exposed every day. Ionising radiation can cause cell damage that may turn cancerous; however, the risk of this happening from your examination is considered low. The dose delivered will be kept as low as is practicable.

If you have any questions about your examination please ask your radiographer when you come for your appointment.

After the x-ray

You can continue any laxative medicines that you may have stopped for the study.

Results

The doctor or specialist who referred you for the procedure will inform you of your your test results via letter. These will also be available in MyChart (opens in a new tab).