How to share your bowel diary with a doctor

In short: before an appointment, write a one-page summary of your diary: the dates it covers, how many entries you recorded, your most common types, anything that changed and any gaps. Bring the full record in case your doctor wants detail, and note what the diary does not capture, such as symptoms and medicines.

A bowel diary is only useful at an appointment if it can be read quickly. Appointments are short, so a clear one-page summary of your records usually works better than scrolling through weeks of entries.

This guide covers how to present the records you’ve kept. It isn’t advice on what your records mean. That’s what the appointment is for.

Before the appointment: write a short summary

Look back over your diary and note a few facts on one page or in your phone’s notes:

What to note	Example
The period your diary covers	14 September to 12 October
How many entries you recorded	41 entries
The stool types you recorded most often	Mostly Type 4, some Type 2
Anything that changed during that time	More Type 2 entries in the last week
Gaps in your records	Didn’t record anything 1–5 October while travelling

These are illustrative entries, not a real person’s health information.

The NHS suggests writing down what you want to discuss before an appointment, including when things started and whether they’ve changed, and taking those notes with you. Source: NHS, checked October 14, 2026.

Be honest about gaps

A day with no entries doesn’t prove that no bowel movement happened. You may simply not have recorded it. Say so if your records have gaps, rather than presenting the diary as complete. If you entered some records later from memory, mention that too.

Add what your diary doesn’t record

A bowel diary that records stool type and time doesn’t capture everything a doctor may ask about. If it’s relevant to why you’re going, note it separately: when you first noticed a change, any symptoms, and everything you take, including anything bought without a prescription. The NHS also suggests listing your medicines and preparing your two or three most important questions.

If your doctor or clinic has given you a specific bowel chart or diary form, use theirs. Clinical forms can ask for more than a general tracker records. Gateshead Health’s bowel record chart, for example, includes extra observations alongside date, time and stool type.

During the appointment

• Start with your one-page summary, then offer to show the full records if the doctor wants detail.
• Keep the phone or notebook ready at the right screen or page, so you’re not searching during a short appointment.
• Ask the doctor to explain anything unclear, and write down what was agreed and what happens next.

Using Gut Elements at an appointment

The current Android tracker has no export or printable report. You can still bring your records:

• Insights shows your week, month or last three months: total entries, how your types are distributed and your most common type. It’s a quick way to write your summary.
• History shows each entry by date in a calendar or a list, if the doctor wants to see individual records.
• You can take screenshots of these screens on your phone. Treat them as private health information. Don’t post them, and don’t email them to app support.

Your logs are stored only on your phone, so there’s no copy online. See app privacy for details, and how logging and history work for step-by-step app instructions.

For what to record in the first place, read how to keep a bowel movement diary.