People with angiodysplasia of the colon may or may not have symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to angiodysplasia of the colon. These symptoms may be caused by other health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician.
- Bleeding from the rectum
-
Anemia
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Dark, tarry stools
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include the following:
-
Colonoscopy
—a thin, lighted tube inserted through the rectum and into the colon to examine the lining of the colon
-
Upper endoscopy (EGD)
—a thin, lighted tube inserted through the mouth and into the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine
-
Radiology testing with
CT scan
,
nuclear medicine imaging (tagged red cell scanning), or other techniques
-
Angiography
—a test that involves injecting dye into the veins to view on an x-ray
- Complete blood count (CBC)—a test to measure the amount of red blood cells
- Stool guaiac—a test to look for blood in the stool