Colonoscopy
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Colonoscopy
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What Affects the Test
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:
- Having a barium enema within a week before the test. Barium can block your doctor's view of the colon.
- Having stool (feces) in the colon, a colon that has many turns, past surgery on the colon, or a lot of pain during the test.
- Taking iron supplements. This may make your stool turn black and make it hard to clean out the colon. Do not take iron supplements for several days before a colonoscopy.
- Drinking red fluids or eating red gelatin. This can change the color of secretions in the colon and may be mistaken for blood.
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Last Updated:
August 11, 2008- Author:
- Monica Rhodes
- Medical Review:
- Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology
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