A Case of Ulcerative Colitis Treatment in a Patient in Their 60s Who Did Not Improve with Biologics
Hello. This is HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic, which has been researching and treating ulcerative colitis since 2007. Today, we are sharing a successful treatment case of a patient in their 60s whose symptoms worsened despite using biologics, along with the content from our YouTube video.
Onset and Pre-visit Situation
The patient began experiencing increased diarrhea starting in January 2025, and by February, they were visiting the restroom more than 10 times a day due to bloody stools and severe abdominal pain. After being hospitalized at a general hospital, they were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and their weight dropped by a staggering 15kg, from 68kg to 53kg, over a short period.
As Western medicine was not effective, they started biologics (Remsima) in April and saw temporary relief, but symptoms worsened again starting August 20, leading them to visit our clinic on September 1.
Considerations on the Cause: Indiscriminate Use of Antibiotics
At the time of onset, the patient had been taking long-term antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs for dental treatment and frequently took cold medicine while working. Antibiotics destroy not only bacteria at the site of an injury but also the beneficial gut bacteria (microbiome) in the colon. Since a cold is a viral disease, the practice of blindly prescribing antibiotics can seriously threaten gut health, so extra caution is required.
Progress of Korean Medicine Treatment and Improvement Process
- September 2025 (Initial Visit): Stool calprotectin level was 3425, and the fecal occult blood test was positive at over 1200. The patient complained of 6–12 loose, bloody stools per day, along with severe abdominal pain and fatigue. Due to the severity of the symptoms, we initially administered herbal medicine three times a day.
- October ~ November 2025: The frequency of bowel movements was cut in half, and abdominal pain and fatigue significantly improved. A hospital endoscopy in November confirmed that congestion, bleeding, and mucus had decreased remarkably compared to September.
- December 2025: The patient reported 3–5 normal bowel movements, and bloody stools, mucous stools, and urgency had all disappeared. The calprotectin level dropped sharply to 84.
- March 2026: The calprotectin level dropped to below 3.8, recording a perfectly normal level, and all symptoms of ulcerative colitis had disappeared.
Treatment Review and Conclusion
This is a case that showed remarkable improvement in just over three months thanks to intensive Korean medicine treatment from the beginning. I happened to meet the patient during a family trip, and I felt great professional fulfillment as a medical practitioner to be greeted so warmly by them in such a healthy state. Please always be careful, as gut health can deteriorate if you need to use antibiotics in the future for dental treatment or other reasons.
Medical Institution Information
- Medical Institution Name: HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic (Representative: Lee Byung-hee)
- Address: Suite 307, JB Miso Building, 841 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
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