Thomas Caspritz is an experienced gastroenterologist and endoscopist with dual training in gastroenterology and internal medicine, along with additional expertise in nutritional medicine. He is dedicated to providing personalised, high-quality care — from thorough assessments and accurate diagnoses to tailored treatments for a wide range of digestive and gastrointestinal (GI) conditions.
Thomas is accredited by the New Zealand Conjoint Committee for Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy and is skilled in diagnostic procedures, including Video Capsule Endoscopy (PillCam) and Hydrogen Breath Testing. Since 2020, he has served as the Clinical Lead and accredited Endoscopist for the National Bowel Screening Programme (NBSP) in South Canterbury.
Thomas’ clinical interests include:
- Endoscopy: Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, Bowel Cancer Screening, PillCam video capsule
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Reflux/Indigestion
- Small bowel assessment
- Bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), breath testing
- Liver disease
Thomas consults privately from the Aorangi Surgical Group in Timaru and the MacMurray Centre in Christchurch, as well as holding a consultant position at Timaru Hospital.
What is Gastroenterology?
Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that looks at diseases of the oesophagus (gullet), stomach, small and large intestines (bowel), liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
The oesophagus is the tube that joins your mouth with your stomach. It is a muscular tube that contracts to push the food through when you swallow.
The stomach is where food is broken down by acid and emptied into your intestines. The stomach has special cells lining its wall to protect it from these acids.
The intestines consist of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum – different sections of small intestine) and the large intestine (colon). As food passes through the small intestine, nutrients are broken down and absorbed. When it passes into the colon, water is absorbed. The waste that is left is passed as faeces (poo).
The liver is roughly the size of a football and is on your right side just under your ribs. It stores vitamins, sugar and iron which are used by cells in the body for energy. It also clears the body of waste products and drugs, produces substances that are used to help blood clot and aid the immune system, and produces bile which aids in digestion.
The pancreas is an elongated organ that lies in the back of the mid-abdomen. It is responsible for producing digestive juices and certain hormones, including insulin, the main hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar.
A gastroenterologist is a doctor specialising in the field of medicine which involves these closely related organs.
