Capsule endoscopy enables us to examine the small intestine/bowel.
It is often used in patients with iron deficiency (cause not found with gastroscopy or colonoscopy) to determine if there is any bleeding in the small intestine.
The test involves swallowing a capsule which takes 2 pictures per second.The small intestine is about 6 metres long, and the capsule can take about 8 hours to travel through it. During this time, images are transmitted to a data recorder which is placed around your waist. The capsule does not need to be retrieved as it is passed (usually unnoticed) into your stools.
No sedation or anaesthetic is required. You will need to observe some dietary restriction the day prior. Capsule endoscopy does not replace colonoscopy or gastroscopy.
You will need to attend the rooms in the morning for about 10 minutes where the data recorder is attached, and you will be given the capsule to swallow. You may then leave the rooms and will be instructed how to remove the equipment at the end of the day – it needs to be returned the following day.