IBS and functional bowel symptoms
Revise positive IBS diagnostic features, baseline tests, coeliac serology, faecal calprotectin, dietary advice, antispasmodics, laxatives, loperamide and low-dose TCAs.
MRCGP AKT gastroenterology revision
Gastroenterology questions test whether you can separate functional symptoms from inflammatory disease, choose the right first tests, treat common dyspepsia safely and recognise GI cancer or liver disease before the stem becomes obvious.
Quick answer
For AKT gastroenterology revision, prioritise IBS criteria, faecal calprotectin, IBD flares, coeliac serology, dyspepsia, H. pylori testing, GORD alarm symptoms, abnormal LFTs, NAFLD fibrosis assessment, rectal bleeding and GI cancer red flags.
What to revise first
IBD and inflammatory symptoms
Know the difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, when calprotectin supports referral, flare clues, blood in stool, systemic symptoms and steroid or mesalazine context.
Coeliac disease
Focus on tTG-IgA, total IgA, the need to keep eating gluten before testing, symptoms beyond diarrhoea, associated autoimmune disease and lifelong gluten-free management.
Dyspepsia, GORD and H. pylori
Revise PPI trials, alarm symptoms, H. pylori stool antigen or urea breath testing, stopping PPIs before testing and when endoscopy or cancer referral is needed.
Liver disease
Prioritise abnormal LFT interpretation, alcohol-related liver disease, viral hepatitis, NAFLD, fibrosis assessment, jaundice, ascites and decompensation red flags.
Cancer recognition and rectal bleeding
Know colorectal, upper GI and pancreatic cancer signals: weight loss, anaemia, dysphagia, persistent vomiting, rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit and abdominal mass.
Red flags to recognise quickly
- Dysphagia, persistent vomiting, haematemesis, melaena or unexplained weight loss
- Iron-deficiency anaemia, rectal bleeding with bowel-habit change or abdominal or rectal mass
- Acute severe abdominal pain, guarding, sepsis, obstruction or suspected perforation
- Jaundice, ascites, encephalopathy, spontaneous bruising or suspected decompensated liver disease
- Bloody diarrhoea with systemic illness, dehydration or suspected severe colitis
- Pancreatic cancer signals such as painless jaundice, weight loss, new diabetes or persistent upper abdominal pain
Why gastroenterology questions catch candidates out
The trap is often a comfortable label: IBS, reflux or fatty liver. The AKT then adds one feature that changes the pathway: anaemia, weight loss, dysphagia, raised calprotectin, jaundice or an abnormal fibrosis score.
AKT gastroenterology FAQ
Is gastroenterology high yield for the MRCGP AKT?
Yes. Gastroenterology is a major RCGP clinical topic and AKT questions commonly test IBS, IBD, coeliac disease, dyspepsia, H. pylori, liver disease, abnormal LFTs, rectal bleeding and GI cancer red flags.
What gastroenterology topics should I revise for the AKT?
Prioritise IBS diagnostic criteria, faecal calprotectin, IBD flares, coeliac serology, dyspepsia and H. pylori testing, GORD alarm features, abnormal LFTs, NAFLD fibrosis assessment and colorectal cancer red flags.
How does IBS come up in AKT questions?
IBS questions often test positive diagnostic features, appropriate baseline tests, when to check coeliac serology or calprotectin, and when red flags make an IBS label unsafe.
What GI cancer red flags are high yield for the AKT?
Know dysphagia, unexplained weight loss, iron-deficiency anaemia, rectal bleeding with bowel-habit change, abdominal or rectal mass, persistent vomiting, jaundice and pancreatic cancer warning patterns.
Official sources
This is revision guidance, not official RCGP advice. Check current RCGP, NICE CKS and BNF guidance for clinical decisions. Last reviewed June 2026.
October sitting
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Questions, mocks and explanations are free. Your first 2 hours of AKT audio are free. Full 4-month audio access is £79.