Gastroenterology: GI Testing
Skip physician searchFind a Provider
1 Criteria Search
Advanced Testing. Compassionate Care. Real Answers.
The gastroenterology specialists at Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics focus on one simple goal: helping you feel better by understanding what is happening inside your digestive system. Your digestive, or gastrointestinal (GI) system, plays a major role in your overall health. When something is not working right, it can affect your energy, comfort, nutrition, and quality of life.
Our experienced team offers cutting-edge GI testing to accurately and comfortably diagnose digestive conditions. We use modern, minimally invasive technology whenever possible and explain every step in clear, easy-to-understand terms.
Important: Always contact your provider if you have GI concerns. For many GI procedures and testing, patients must receive a referral from their primary care provider.
Diagnostic Testing
GI testing includes any combination of medical tests used to find the cause of digestive symptoms, such as:
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Gas or bloating
- Constipation, diarrhea, or a change in bowel habits
- Incontinence or incomplete bowel emptying
- Heartburn, acid reflux, chronic cough, or throat clearing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Chronic nausea or vomiting
- Rectal bleeding or bloody stool
These tests help our gastroenterologists understand how your digestive system is working and identify problems in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, and/or pancreas.
Hydrogen Breath Testing
The hydrogen breath testing is a simple, non-invasive diagnostic test that helps identify problems related to how your body breaks down certain sugars.
What Does the Test Measure?
This test measures the volume of specific gases in your breath that form when bacteria break down sugars. Increased gas production may indicate an overpopulation of certain bacteria.
Conditions It Helps Diagnose
This test is commonly used to diagnose:
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) – Too many bacteria, or the wrong type of bacteria, in the small intestine
- Lactose intolerance
- Fructose malabsorption
How the Test Works
- You provide a baseline breath sample
- You drink a sugar solution (such as glucose, lactulose, or lactose)
- Breath samples are collected periodically over a set timeframe
- Your GI team interprets the results and decides on the best treatment option
*Note that this test does require specific preparation to ensure accurate results.
Where the Test is Performed: Belmond and Clarion locations
A prior consultation with our gastroenterology team or direct referral from your primary care provider is required for this procedure.
Bravo™ Esophageal pH Testing
The Bravo esophageal pH test is a wireless, minimally invasive monitoring study used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic acid reflux.
What Does This Test Measure?
The test measures acid levels in the esophagus of “food pipe.” This is helpful in diagnosing conditions, and even identifying what times of the day or during what activities your reflux is triggered. Testing the pH can also help your gastroenterologist evaluate if medications you take for acid control are working.
Conditions It Helps Identify
- GERD (acid reflux)
- Non-acid reflux problems
- Cause of chronic cough or throat irritation
- Effectiveness of reflux medications
How the Test Works
- A tiny sensor is placed in the esophagus during an upper endoscopy (EGD). The sensor passes naturally after the test.
- The sensor sends data wirelessly to a small receiver you wear on your waistband/belt
- You record symptoms, meals, and sleep during the testing time on the portable receiver. Your team will use this data to get a full picture of your symptoms and create a plan to manage symptoms.
- Monitoring lasts 48 hours while you go about your normal activities
Where the Test is Performed: Belmond and Clarion locations as part of an upper scope procedure
A prior consultation with our gastroenterology team or direct referral from your primary care provider is required for this procedure.
Capsule Endoscopy
Using the Medtronic PillCam TM Genius SB Capsule Endoscopy System
What Does the Test Measure?
Our capsule endoscopy is an advanced test that allows your gastroenterologist to see the small intestine, an area that a colonoscopy will not reach. It uses a tiny, swallowable camera and AI-assisted technology to help diagnose more accurately, quickly and completely
Conditions It Helps Diagnose
- Irritable Bowel Disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Erosions and polyps
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Vascular Conditions
- Small bowel tumors
- Celiac disease
How the Test Works
The PillCam™ Genius SB system includes two main parts:
- A vitamin-sized camera capsule that you swallow
- A small, single-use wearable “link device” that collects images as the capsule travels through your digestive tract
As the capsule moves naturally through your small bowel, it captures over 50,000 high-quality images, which are securely stored and later reviewed by your care team.
The capsule passes naturally through your body, and no second procedure is needed for removal. This test is non-invasive and does not require sedation, making it a convenient and painless.
How AI Helps Improve Accuracy and Efficiency
While the capsule endoscopy system has been used for many years, one of the most important features of the specific system we use at Iowa Specialty, the PillCam™ Genius SB, is its use of artificial intelligence (AI), which makes reviewing results faster and more accurate for doctors.
AI acts as a second set of eyes, helping your trained gastroenterologist focus on what matters most: accurate diagnosis customized treatment and care.
Importantly, the technology supports—not replaces—your physician’s expertise. Your gastroenterologist always makes the final diagnosis.
Where the Test is Performed: The initial placement and set-up is in Clarion, but follow-up appointments take place at Belmond, Clarion, or Fort Dodge.
Important Things to Know About Capsule Endoscopy
- The PillCam™ does not replace a colonoscopy--these procedures examine different parts of the body
- It is a diagnostic test only. The PillCam™ takes pictures but cannot remove polyps or take biopsies
A prior consultation with our gastroenterology team or direct referral from your primary care provider is required for this procedure.
Let’s Take the Guesswork Out of Digestive Issues
Digestive problems can affect every part of your life, but you don’t have to manage them alone. Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics offers comprehensive GI testing to help identify the cause of your symptoms and guide effective treatment.
Talk with your primary care provider about a referral to our Gastroenterology team for a consultation, or contact Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics today to learn more about our GI testing services and locations.
