Version July 2025
| Ulcerative colitis | Crohn disease or indeterminate colitis | Conditional testing* | |
| Complete blood count | X | X | |
| CRP, ESR¶ | X | X | |
| Comprehensive metabolic panelΔ | X | X | |
| 25-hydroxyvitamin D | X | X | |
| Ferritin, transferrin saturation◊ | X | X | |
| Vitamin B12 | X | ||
| Calcium | X | ||
| Phosphorus | X | ||
| Magnesium | X | ||
| Vitamin A | X | ||
| Vitamin E | X | ||
| PT or INR | X | ||
| Zinc | X | ||
| Folate | X | ||
| DXA scanning§ | X |
ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; BUN: blood urea nitrogen; CRP: C-reactive protein; DXA: dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; IBD: inflammatory bowel disease; INR: international normalized ratio; PT: prothrombin time; TIBC: total iron-binding capacity.
* These tests are performed in the case of malnutrition, malabsorption, symptoms of deficiency, or specific risk factors (eg, anemia, ileal resection, total parenteral or enteral nutrition, profuse diarrhea, high-output ostomy).
¶ CRP, ESR, and albumin primarily reflect the inflammatory state rather than nutritional status. This information is important for the interpretation of the other results, especially ferritin, which is increased in the setting of inflammation.
Δ A comprehensive metabolic panel consists of electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, glucose, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, calcium, and serum albumin (as a marker of inflammatory status and disease activity rather than protein intake).
◊ We suggest screening for iron deficiency every 6 to 12 months and more frequently for those with active IBD. For details on evaluation and management of iron deficiency, refer to relevant UpToDate content.
§ DXA scanning is recommended in adults with risk factors for bone disease, including prolonged corticosteroid use or low-trauma fracture (refer to UpToDate content on metabolic bone disease in inflammatory bowel disease). There are no generally accepted standards for frequency of DXA scanning in children with inflammatory bowel disease.
