Laxatives: Blood Test Detection?

can laxatives be detected in blood tests

Laxative abuse can cause various disorders, and early toxicological screening is important for diagnosis. While laxatives cannot be detected in blood tests, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of urine or stool is a commercially available test for laxatives. This method is highly sensitive and specific, detecting laxatives in urine at least 32 hours after ingestion. However, TLC testing for certain laxatives may produce misleading results, with issues of false-positive and false-negative tests.

Characteristics Values
Can laxatives be detected in blood tests? No, but they can be detected in urine tests
How long after intake can laxatives be detected in urine? Bisacodyl, danthron, phenolphthalein, or sennoside can be detected in urine at least 32 hours after intake. Bisoxatin and oxyphenisatin can be detected in urine 18 hours after intake.
How reliable are laxative tests? Thin layer chromatography (TLC) of urine or stool is the only commercially available test for laxatives and is considered highly reliable, but its accuracy in clinical practice is unknown.

medshun

Laxative abuse can be detected in urine tests

Another study by Stolk and Hoogtanders also proposed a method for detecting laxative abuse by urine analysis with HPLC and diode array detection. This method was validated by human volunteers who ingested a normal dose of laxatives, and the expected laxative metabolite was detected in urine twelve hours after intake. This method can also be used to analyze stimulant laxatives and metabolites of laxatives in urine.

These studies provide evidence that laxative abuse can be detected through urine analysis, which can be useful for early diagnosis and prevention of extensive diagnostic procedures. The specific procedures and techniques mentioned in these studies can be employed to detect laxative abuse in urine tests.

Strawberries: Nature's Laxative?

You may want to see also

medshun

Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a reliable test for laxatives

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a reliable test for laxatives. It is a chromatography technique that separates the components in non-volatile mixtures. The sample is deposited on a TLC plate, which is then eluted with a solvent or solvent mixture known as the mobile phase (or eluent). This solvent moves up the plate via capillary action. TLC is performed on the analytical scale as a means of monitoring the progress of a reaction or on the preparative scale to purify small amounts of a compound.

TLC is widely used because of its simplicity, relative low cost, high sensitivity, and speed of separation. It is also useful for small-scale purification. The separated compounds will be on different areas of the plate, and a scientist can scrape off the stationary phase particles containing the desired compound and dissolve them into an appropriate solvent.

TLC of urine or stool is the only commercially available test for laxatives. It is considered a highly reliable test, but its accuracy in clinical practice is unknown. A study evaluated the reliability of TLC laxative testing by a clinical reference laboratory in the United States. The TLC testing for bisacodyl-induced diarrhea revealed a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 91% when urine was tested and sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 96%, respectively, when stool was analyzed.

Another study developed a procedure with which all phenolic and anthraquinone laxatives, except sodium picosulfate, can be detected in urine. This method is based on high-performance thin-layer chromatography in two systems after pretreatment of a 20-mL urine sample with beta-glucuronidase and subsequent column extraction. The procedure is very sensitive: at least 32 hours after a single dose of bisacodyl, danthron, phenolphthalein, or sennoside, the drug can be detected in the urine.

Garlic: Nature's Laxative?

You may want to see also

medshun

Stimulant laxatives can induce factitious diarrhea

To evaluate the reliability of TLC laxative testing, a study was conducted where healthy volunteers were given either bisacodyl, senna, or a control laxative. Urine and diarrheal stool samples were sent to a clinical reference laboratory for analysis. The results showed that TLC testing for bisacodyl-induced diarrhea had a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 91% when urine was tested, and a sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 96%, respectively, when stool was analyzed. On the other hand, the TLC assay for senna failed to identify any positive results in urine or stool specimens, indicating a sensitivity of 0%.

The expected prevalence of surreptitious laxative abuse in patients with chronic idiopathic diarrhea ranges from 2.4% to 25%, depending on the clinical setting. Considering this prevalence, TLC testing for bisacodyl by the reference laboratory could produce misleading results, and testing for senna would have no clinical value. The main issues are false-positive tests for bisacodyl and false-negative tests for senna.

Surreptitious ingestion of laxatives can lead to various clinical syndromes, including diarrhea, hypokalemia, acid-base disturbances, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Patients may present with symptoms that resemble primary gastrointestinal, endocrine, renal, or neoplastic disorders. The diagnosis of surreptitious laxative ingestion is often challenging and delayed for many years. Iatrogenic complications from invasive diagnostic tests, polysurgery, and corticosteroid therapy are common.

Given the potential for misleading results and the serious consequences of undetected laxative abuse, it is recommended that patients with idiopathic chronic diarrhea be routinely tested for laxative ingestion before undergoing invasive or costly diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The two most frequently abused laxatives, bisacodyl and anthraquinones like senna, can be detected through analysis of stool or urine for the drugs themselves or their metabolic products.

Dulcolax: Quick Constipation Relief

You may want to see also

medshun

Laxatives can cause various disorders

Laxatives are medicines used to treat constipation by softening stools or stimulating the lower intestine to push out stool. While laxatives are useful for treating constipation, their overuse can lead to several disorders and health complications.

Firstly, laxative abuse can cause electrolyte disturbances, dehydration, and mineral deficiencies. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride are lost at abnormally high rates through diarrhoea, leading to weakness, irregular heartbeats, and even sudden death. Dehydration, caused by the loss of fluids through diarrhoea, puts stress on the organs and can also be fatal if not treated promptly.

Secondly, laxative abuse can lead to constipation. This may seem counterintuitive, but it occurs because laxatives artificially stimulate or irritate the nerves in the large intestine. Overuse of laxatives can damage these nerves and weaken the intestinal muscles, resulting in a condition called "lazy colon" or impaired intestinal function. This can cause severe constipation, with people going weeks without a bowel movement.

Thirdly, laxative abuse can cause infections. Normally, the intestine is coated with a protective layer of mucus and contains beneficial bacteria that are necessary for immune system function and overall health. Laxative abuse strips away this protective mucus and bacteria, leaving the intestines vulnerable to infection and irritation.

Additionally, laxative abuse has been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer. Studies have shown that the overuse of laxatives increases the risk of colon cancer by twofold.

Furthermore, laxative abuse can cause rectal prolapse, where chronic severe diarrhoea caused by laxative abuse leads to the inside of the intestines protruding through the anal opening, often requiring surgical treatment.

Finally, laxative abuse has been associated with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. People who misuse laxatives may feel embarrassed or ashamed, leading to social isolation and withdrawal from loved ones. They may also experience negative body image, preoccupation with thinness, and feelings of guilt and shame related to food.

Lactulose: How Long Does It Last?

You may want to see also

medshun

Laxative abuse can be detected in stool samples

Laxatives are medicines that treat constipation by softening stools or stimulating the bowels to move. They are generally considered safe for short-term use and are available over the counter. However, long-term use can lead to side effects and even worsen constipation. In some cases, laxative abuse can cause various disorders.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based laxatives, commonly used in paediatric constipation treatment, can be specifically detected using MS analysis. This technique has been piloted in adult and paediatric populations, proving effective in identifying PEG in stool samples.

Other types of laxatives can also be detected in stool samples. For example, stimulant laxatives like senna and bisacodyl can be identified through thin-layer chromatography, a screening method for laxative abuse. This method can detect phenolic and anthraquinone laxatives in urine samples, indicating recent laxative use.

In summary, laxative abuse can have adverse health effects, and detecting laxatives in stool samples is an important aspect of patient care. While blood tests are not suitable for this purpose, various laboratory techniques can identify specific types of laxatives in stool, aiding in the diagnosis and management of laxative abuse.

Stimulants: Constipation Culprit?

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

No, laxatives cannot be detected in blood tests.

Laxatives can be detected through thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of urine or stool. This method is considered highly reliable, but its accuracy in clinical practice is unknown.

The procedure is based on high-performance thin-layer chromatography in two systems after pre-treatment of a 20-mL urine sample with beta-glucuronidase and subsequent column extraction.

The procedure is very sensitive. At least 32 hours after a single dose of laxatives, the drug can be detected in the urine.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment