Bile acid malabsorption
Our department offers the gold standard test for patients who have chronic diarrhoea and suspected symptoms of bile acid malabsorption (BAM). BAM is a perfectly treatable condition, and if diagnosed, we can improve patients' symptoms dramatically with simple treatment.
Referrals
GPs should consider making a referral to the nuclear medicine service if a patient has the following symptoms:
- diarrhoea heavy IBS
- fat induced diarrhoea
- diarrhoea post cholecystectomy
- no other alarm symptoms.
To refer patients, you can email gst-tr.NuclearMedicineAandCReferrals@nhs.net or send your request via post:
Nuclear medicine department, 1st floor, Lambeth Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, SE1 7EH.
If you have any queries about the referral criteria, you can also email Dhruba Dasgupta, consultant nuclear medicine: dhruba.dasgupta@gstt.nhs.uk.
More information for patients
Please read our leaflet about the SeHCAT scan to test for bile acid malabsorption (PDF 102Kb). This will provide you with more information about what to expect during your appointment.