Endoscopic investigations

Your consultant or nurse will prepare you for the test by attaching sensors to your abdomen. You won't need to be sedated or have an anaesthetic before taking the capsule. You'll need to swallow the capsule with water. The capsule has its own camera and light and takes two images per second.

While the capsule passes through your body, it sends images to a data recorder which you wear in a shoulder bag, close to your waist. You can go about your normal routine and the entire procedure takes about eight hours. Usually you can eat about four hours after you swallowed the capsule, unless your consultant tells you otherwise.

Your consultant will let you know how to prepare for this test. Like all procedures, there may be some risks or side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.

You may need to fast overnight before the test. If you're taking iron tablets, you may need to stop taking these for one week beforehand.

Your consultant or nurse will remove the sensors from your chest and take the data recorder from you. We'll download the data recorded during your test, and your consultant will review it and talk through the results with you.

The capsule is disposable and will pass through your body naturally with your bowel movement. You shouldn't feel any pain or discomfort.

Please be aware: After swallowing the tablet and passing it, you shouldn't have an MRI scan or go near an MRI machine.