What is a gastro specialist called?: Understanding Your GI Doctor

October 1, 2025 •

2 min read

Approximately 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases, which can lead to a referral to a specialist. When this happens, it's common to wonder, what is a gastro specialist called? The medical term for this expert is a gastroenterologist, often referred to as a GI doctor.

Quick Summary

A gastroenterologist is a medical expert who diagnoses and treats conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and associated organs like the liver and pancreas. They use a variety of procedures, including endoscopies and colonoscopies, to manage a wide range of digestive issues.

Key Points

Gastroenterologist: A gastro specialist is formally known as a gastroenterologist, or often referred to as a GI doctor.
Digestive System Expertise: Gastroenterologists specialize in the entire digestive tract and related organs, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas.
Extensive Training: The path to becoming a gastroenterologist involves many years of specialized medical training.
Common Conditions: They treat conditions such as GERD, IBS, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hepatitis, cirrhosis, and celiac disease.
Advanced Procedures: Key procedures performed by a GI specialist include colonoscopies and endoscopies for diagnosis and treatment.
Hepatology vs. Gastroenterology: Hepatology is a subspecialty of gastroenterology that focuses specifically on the liver, while gastroenterology covers the entire GI tract.
When to Consult: Persistent symptoms like heartburn, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or unexplained weight loss warrant a visit to a gastroenterologist.

Who is a Gastroenterologist and What Do They Treat?

A gastroenterologist is a highly trained physician specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This complex system is responsible for digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste removal, and includes organs such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Common Conditions Treated

Gastroenterologists manage a broad spectrum of conditions affecting these organs. They treat conditions including GERD, IBD, IBS, Celiac Disease, Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Pancreatitis, Gallstones, and Ulcers. A patient's primary care doctor often refers them to a GI specialist for expert evaluation of persistent or serious digestive symptoms.

The Path to Becoming a Gastroenterologist

Becoming a gastroenterologist requires extensive training. Board certification in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology is a widely recognized mark of professional excellence.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

GI specialists perform various non-surgical procedures for diagnosis and treatment. These include colonoscopies to examine the colon and rectum, upper endoscopies (EGD) to view the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine, and capsule endoscopy where a patient swallows a tiny camera. Biopsies can also be taken during endoscopic procedures for testing.

Gastroenterologist vs. Other GI Specialists

While gastroenterologists cover the entire digestive system, related specialists focus on specific areas. See the table below for a comparison.


Specialist	Primary Focus	Key Procedures / Treatments
Gastroenterologist	Entire digestive system, including esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas.	Colonoscopy, endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, treatment of GERD, IBS, and IBD.
Hepatologist	Specific subspecialty focusing exclusively on the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.	Liver biopsies, managing advanced liver diseases like cirrhosis and hepatitis, potential involvement with transplant services.
Colorectal Surgeon (Proctologist)	Surgical treatment of conditions affecting the colon, rectum, and anus.	Hemorrhoid surgery, anal fissure treatment, surgery for colorectal cancer, and removal of large polyps.

When to See a Gastroenterologist

A primary care doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist for persistent, severe, or complex digestive issues. Symptoms that may warrant a visit include persistent heartburn or acid reflux, chronic abdominal pain, unexplained changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding or blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, and difficulty swallowing. Routine screening colonoscopies are also recommended for adults starting at age 45, or earlier with risk factors.

Conclusion

A gastro specialist is formally called a gastroenterologist, or a GI doctor. These physicians are experts in diagnosing and treating conditions of the digestive system and related organs. Their extensive training and use of advanced tools like colonoscopies and endoscopies allow them to manage a wide range of digestive disorders. If you have persistent or concerning digestive symptoms, consulting a gastroenterologist is important for diagnosis and treatment. For additional information, the American College of Gastroenterology website is a valuable resource. American College of Gastroenterology website.

Frequently Asked Questions

A gastroenterologist focuses on the entire digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas. A proctologist, now more commonly called a colorectal surgeon, is a surgeon who specializes in the surgical treatment of the colon, rectum, and anus.

Gastroenterologists typically do not perform surgery. Their work is focused on non-surgical diagnoses and treatments, though they may collaborate closely with surgeons. For complex conditions requiring surgery, such as certain cancers, they refer patients to colorectal or other specialized surgeons.

During your first appointment, the gastroenterologist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your medical history and symptoms. They may perform a physical exam and discuss potential diagnostic tests, such as blood work, imaging, or an endoscopy, to determine the cause of your issues.

The American Cancer Society currently recommends that routine colorectal cancer screening, including colonoscopies, should begin at age 45 for individuals with average risk. If you have a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent screening.

Some of the most common conditions treated by a gastroenterologist include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and ulcerative colitis), celiac disease, and ulcers.

The path to becoming a gastroenterologist involves many years of specialized medical training. More details can be found on {Link: UMHS website https://www.umhs-sk.org/blog/how-to-become-a-gastroenterologist}.

Key signs you may need to see a gastroenterologist include chronic heartburn, persistent abdominal pain, significant changes in your bowel movements (such as diarrhea or constipation), rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or difficulty swallowing.