Which Doctor Should You See for Ulcerative Colitis? How to Build Your IBD Care Team

Ulcerative Colitis has a way of pulling you into the medical world quickly, often before you have had time to catch your breath. One appointment turns into three. One referral leads to another. Suddenly, you are trying to work out who does what, who should be guiding decisions, and whether you are meant to hold all of this together on your own.

I remember assuming that one doctor would handle everything, and that if I just found the right person, the rest would fall into place. Over time, I learned that UC, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease more broadly, rarely works that way because UC affects more than one system and often changes.

This is where the idea of an IBD care team comes in.

Your care does not have to rest on a single pair of shoulders. A thoughtful care team allows each practitioner to support you in their own way, while you stay supported rather than stretched. Some people need only a small team. Others need more input during flares or treatment changes. Both are normal.

This blog will walk you through the different practitioners who may be part of your UC care, when they are helpful, and how to build a setup that feels manageable rather than overwhelming. The aim is to gain confidence in knowing who is in your corner and why.

Your Gastroenterologist: The Anchor of Your UC Care

For most people with Ulcerative Colitis, the gastroenterologist becomes the central figure in their care. This is the doctor who understands Inflammatory Bowel Disease in depth, from inflammation patterns to treatment options and long-term monitoring.

Your gastroenterologist typically:

• Confirms your diagnosis

• Prescribes and adjusts medication

• Monitors inflammation through scopes, blood work, and stool tests

• Helps guide decisions during flares and remission

  
  

In many ways, they act as the anchor of your care team, holding the broader picture of your UC history even when other specialists are involved.

Not all gastroenterologists work in the same way. Some manage a wide range of digestive conditions, while others focus more closely on IBD. If you have frequent flares or complex treatment decisions, working with someone experienced in IBD can be helpful. It is reasonable to ask about this directly.

It can also take time to find the right fit. A good gastroenterologist should make space for your questions, explain decisions clearly, and treat you as a long-term partner in care. When that relationship works well, they become a steady point of reference as your needs change.

Your GP

When Ulcerative Colitis enters your life, it is easy to assume that your GP steps aside while specialists take over. In reality, a good GP often becomes one of the most consistent points of support in long-term IBD care.

Your GP is usually the first person you will see when something feels off. They manage referrals, routine blood work, prescriptions, infections, vaccinations, and the in-between issues that do not always require a specialist appointment. When flares settle and things stabilise, they are often the doctor you see most regularly.

A GP who understands UC as a chronic inflammatory condition can help monitor iron levels, vitamin deficiencies, fatigue, bone health, and the ongoing effects of medication. They also play an important role in coordinating care when multiple specialists are involved and communication starts to feel fragmented.

This relationship works best when communication is open. Keeping your GP informed about medication changes, test results, and flare patterns allows them to support you more effectively. You do not need them to be IBD experts, just informed and engaged. When this role is working well, it reduces stress and helps you feel supported between specialist appointments.

Should You See an IBD Specialist?

You may hear the term “IBD specialist” and wonder whether this is someone you should see instead of your current gastroenterologist. In most cases, it is not an either-or decision. An IBD specialist is usually a gastroenterologist with a focused interest in inflammatory bowel disease, often working in larger or specialist centres.

IBD specialists can be especially helpful if your Ulcerative Colitis is more complex. This may include frequent flares, difficulty finding the right medication, steroid dependence, or symptoms that do not align clearly with test results. Their day-to-day experience with UC can add valuable insight.

For many people, IBD specialists form part of the care team rather than replacing existing doctors.

They may be involved for second opinions, treatment planning, or when moving to more advanced therapies, while your regular gastroenterologist remains involved in ongoing care.

Not everyone with UC needs specialist-level care all the time. Some people move in and out of specialist input depending on disease activity or life stage. If you are considering this option, a referral discussion can help clarify how care would be shared and supported.

If you’d like a clearer understanding of the treatment options involved in Ulcerative Colitis care, my blog on UC treatment offers a calm, step-by-step overview of what to expect

The Role of a Colorectal Surgeon (Even If You Never Need Surgery)

Hearing the word “surgeon” in the context of Ulcerative Colitis can be unsettling. It often brings up fears about worst-case scenarios, even when surgery is not on the table. In reality, a colorectal surgeon can be a valuable part of an IBD care team without surgery ever becoming necessary.

Colorectal surgeons specialise in conditions affecting the colon and rectum. In UC care, they are sometimes consulted to provide perspective, not pressure. This can happen if inflammation has been difficult to control, if complications arise, or simply to discuss long-term planning. Having this conversation early can actually reduce anxiety, because it replaces uncertainty with clear information.

Importantly, a surgical consult does not mean you are being rushed toward an operation. It is often about understanding options, knowing what signs would warrant further discussion, and building familiarity with a specialist you may never need to see again. Many people with UC meet a colorectal surgeon once and never return, while others find reassurance in having that relationship established.

When surgery is discussed, it is typically framed as a quality-of-life conversation rather than a last resort. A thoughtful surgeon will focus on timing, outcomes, and whether surgery would genuinely improve day-to-day well-being. This kind of input can be grounding, especially when medical treatments feel uncertain or exhausting.

If a surgical opinion is suggested, it does not mean your medical care has failed. It simply means your team is being thorough and looking after your future, not just your current symptoms.

Dietitians, Nutritionists and UC: Who to Trust

Food can quickly become confusing when you are living with Ulcerative Colitis. Advice is everywhere, and much of it contradicts itself. The right nutrition professional can help bring clarity by supporting your needs at different stages of IBD, rather than imposing rigid rules.

A registered dietitian is usually the most appropriate choice for UC. Dietitians are trained to work with medical conditions and understand how inflammation, medication, absorption, and deficiencies interact. They can guide nutrition during flares, recovery, and remission without unnecessary restriction.

Nutritionists can also be helpful, but it is important to understand their training and experience with inflammatory bowel disease. Advice that is not tailored to UC can sometimes increase symptoms or stress, even when well-intentioned.

The aim of nutrition support is not perfection. It is stability, nourishment, and confidence. If food has become a source of fear or frustration, seeking informed support can help you rebuild a more flexible and realistic relationship with eating.

If you are looking for nutrition support that understands inflammatory bowel disease, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation offers guidance on finding an IBD-focused dietitian.

Mental Health Support Is Part of UC Care

Ulcerative Colitis affects more than just the body. Over time, it can influence how you think, plan, and relate to your sense of safety in the world. This is not a personal failing, but a very human response to living with an unpredictable inflammatory condition.

Flares, repeated medical appointments, and the fear of symptoms returning can contribute to anxiety or low mood. Even in remission, the memory of previous flares can linger and shape how you move through daily life. These experiences are common, even if they are not always visible to others.

Psychologists, therapists, or counsellors can be a valuable part of an IBD care team. They help you process medical stress, rebuild trust in your body, and develop coping strategies that reduce emotional strain. This kind of support works alongside medical treatment, not instead of it.

If UC has affected your confidence, relationships, or overall sense of ease, that is a valid reason to seek support. Caring for your mental health is part of caring for your UC, and it deserves the same attention as any other aspect of treatment.

If you want to explore the emotional and physical layers of living with UC in more depth, you may my blog: What Ulcerative Colitis Really Feels Like useful.

Other Specialists You May Encounter Along the Way

As Ulcerative Colitis progresses through different stages, you may find that other specialists become part of your care at various points. This does not mean your condition is worsening. It often reflects the fact that UC can affect more than just the colon.

Some people experience joint pain, stiffness, or inflammation alongside bowel symptoms. In these cases, a rheumatologist may be involved to assess and manage inflammatory joint conditions linked to IBD. Skin issues such as rashes, ulcers, or medication-related reactions can also occur, and a dermatologist may help clarify whether these are connected to UC or to treatment side effects.

Depending on your age and circumstances, you may also work with a gynaecologist or fertility specialist, particularly when planning pregnancy or navigating hormonal changes while on long-term medication. These conversations are often proactive and focused on safety rather than risk.

Pharmacists are another often overlooked but valuable part of the team. They can help explain medication timing, interactions, side effects, and what to do if something feels off. A pharmacist who knows your history can be an accessible point of reassurance between appointments.

Not everyone will need all of these specialists, and many people never do. UC care is not about collecting doctors. It is about adding the right support at the right time, and letting go of it when it is no longer needed.

How to Build Your IBD Care Team Without Burning Out

You do not need to build your entire Ulcerative Colitis care team all at once. Trying to do everything at the same time often leads to overwhelm and a feeling that your life revolves around appointments.

Your care team can shift depending on where you are with your IBD. During a flare, your gastroenterologist and GP may be the main support. As inflammation settles, nutrition or mental health care may become more relevant. In remission, your team may naturally become smaller again.

Let your current needs guide you. Ask what would genuinely make things easier right now. Symptom control, recovery, fatigue, food, or emotional support. That answer usually points you in the right direction.

A good practitioner should feel collaborative and grounded. You should leave appointments feeling clearer, not more burdened. It is also okay to change your team over time. UC changes, and your support is allowed to change with it.

When to Advocate for More Support

There are times when Ulcerative Colitis asks for more support than you currently have in place. Knowing when to speak up can be just as important as knowing who to see.

If symptoms persist despite treatment, or if you are told everything looks fine but your body does not feel fine, that disconnect is worth exploring. Ongoing fatigue, pain, or digestive symptoms can signal that something needs closer attention, even if tests appear stable.

It is also important to notice how you feel in your appointments. If you regularly leave feeling rushed, dismissed, or unsure of the plan, that is not something you need to push through. Feeling supported and informed is part of good care.

Advocating for yourself does not mean being confrontational. It can be as simple as asking for clarity, requesting a referral, or saying that something is not working for you. You are allowed to ask for explanations and to seek second opinions when needed.

Ulcerative Colitis is a long-term condition. The right level of support can make it easier to manage, both physically and emotionally. Speaking up when you need more help is not overreacting. It is part of looking after yourself well.

You Are Not Meant to Do UC Alone

Ulcerative Colitis can make it feel like you are constantly managing, monitoring, and deciding. But you are not meant to hold all of that on your own. Care works best when it is shared, layered, and adjusted as your needs change.

Your IBD care team does not have to be big or complicated. It simply needs to support you where you are right now. Some seasons call for more input, others for less. Both are normal. What matters most is that you feel listened to, informed, and supported rather than rushed or dismissed.

If there is one thing I hope this blog offers, it is permission. Permission to ask questions, to seek additional support when needed, and to change your care setup as your UC evolves. Building the right team is not about doing everything perfectly. It is about making this condition easier to live with, one thoughtful decision at a time.

FAQs

Do I need to see a gastroenterologist forever if I have UC?

Most people with Ulcerative Colitis stay under the care of a gastroenterologist long term, even during remission, for monitoring and flare planning.

Can my GP manage my UC on their own?

A GP plays an important role, but UC usually requires specialist input from a gastroenterologist for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing monitoring.

When should I see an IBD specialist?

IBD specialists are often helpful if your UC is difficult to control, keeps flaring, or requires more complex treatment decisions.

Is it okay to change doctors if something does not feel right?

Yes. Feeling heard and supported is essential in long-term care. Changing doctors is sometimes part of finding the right fit.

Do I need a dietitian if I am in remission?

Not always, but some people find dietetic support helpful for rebuilding confidence with food or managing deficiencies.

Who coordinates my care if I see multiple doctors?

Your gastroenterologist and GP usually act as the main coordinators, especially when communication is shared openly between providers.