This information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical treatment. You should speak to your physician or make an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about this information or your medical condition.
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Capsule Endoscopy
INTRODUCTION:
- You have been recommended to undergo a Capsule Endoscopy.
- This is a test that involves swallowing a small (the size of a large vitamin pill) capsule.
- The capsule will pass naturally through your digestive tract, while taking pictures of the Small Intestine. This is an examination of the Small Intestine only.
- Images are transmitted to a sensor array – similar to EKG electrodes.
- The sensor array is attached to a recording device worn on a belt around your waist. This recording device saves all the images (pictures) during the test.
- We’ll expect you’ll stay in and around the hospital grounds during this test.
- After approximately 8 hours, you will return to have the recorder and electrodes removed, and then you will be discharged immediately after.
- The doctor who referred you for the test will receive a copy of the results.
- Not all insurance companies reimburse for this procedure. You may need to check with your own insurance company to ensure that this is a covered benefit.
To get the most accurate information from this test, you must follow the directions listed below:
DAY BEFORE PROCEDURE:
- You may eat a normal breakfast and lunch.
- Only clear liquids after lunch. Examples of clear liquids include: water, apple juice, white grape juice, black coffee, tea, lemon or lime Jell-O, chicken or beef broth, lemon or lime Kool-Aid, soda pops, including colas, 7-Up and Sprite.
- You will have to drink a laxative solution to partially clean out your bowel. At approximately 4:00 p.m., take one half gallon of Polyethylene glycol (i.e. NuLytely). This is a prescription that you can get from your pharmacy. Don’t worry if you haven’t completely cleaned out your bowels. A partial clean-out is adequate.
- If you have Diabetes and take evening Insulin, take one-half (1/2) of your usual dose of NPH, Lente or Novolin 70/30 or Lantus insulin and NO Regular or Humalog insulin.
- If you take Ultralente insulin or are on 3 or more injections per day, please contact the health care provider who manages your diabetes.
- Nothing by mouth after 7:00 p.m. (except sips of water with medications).
DAY OF PROCEDURE:
- If you take oral diabetes medications (pills): Do not take the medication the morning of your test. Bring your diabetes medication with you. Please refer to the handout, “Instructions for Patients with Diabetes Having Outpatient Procedures/Tests”
- If you take insulin (1 or 2 injections per day): Take one-half (1/2) of your usual morning dose of NPH, Lente or Novolin 70/30 or Lantus insulin and NO Regular or Humalog insulin the morning of your test.
- If you take Ultralente insulin or are on 3 or more injections per day, please contact the health care provider who manages your diabetes.
- Please refer to the handout, “Instructions for Patients with Diabetes Having Outpatient Procedures/Tests”
- Bring any oral diabetes medicine to the appointment and take when you have lunch.
- If you normally take other medications in the morning, you may take those with sips of water.
- Wear loose clothing (e.g. sweat pants, T-shirt). No heavy or restrictive clothing.
- Please bring with you the following:
- A list of all medications you are taking.
- A list of allergies you have.
- Health insurance cards.
- Your blue University of Michigan hospital card.
- Arrive at 7:30 a.m. in the Medical Procedures Unit reception area. The Medical Procedures Unit is located in room 2B355 on the Second Floor of the East End of University Hospital. You will eventually be escorted to the G.I. Physiology Lab for your test.
- If for some reason you are unable to keep your appointment, please call the Medical Procedures Unit at 734-936-9250.
- For the test, you will have several electrode (stickers) applied to your abdomen. To insure adequate results, for some patients, this may require that we shave small areas where the electrodes are applied.
After ingesting the capsule, you may drink clear liquids after 2 hours, and you may eat a light liquid lunch (e.g. soup, Jell-O, etc.) after 4 hours. We will recommend a cup of tea with sugar, as this seems to aid motility.
- During the test you will need to avoid: MRI studies, ham radios, and metal detectors.
- During the test, you should:
- Avoid strenuous physical activity.
- Not remove the belt.
AFTER THE TEST:
- There are no diet or activity restrictions. You may return to usual activities and medications immediately following the test.
- Until the capsule is eliminated in your stool (usually within 24 hours), you should avoid MRI studies, metal detectors, for 3 days.
- You do NOT need to retrieve or save the capsule (you may not even notice it passing). It can be safely flushed down the toilet.
- If you have new unexplained nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, call your doctor. A Gastroenterology Fellow On-Call can be reached at 734-936-6267.
Information provided by UMHS Medical Procedures Unit staff - November, 2008
