Calprotectin Stool Test

To detect inflammation in the intestines; to distinguish between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and non-inflammatory bowel conditions; to monitor for a condition called “inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)”.

Your doctor may recommend Calprotectin stool test for you when you show symptoms like:

1. Bloody or watery diarrhoea
2. Abdominal cramps
3. Fever lasting for than few days

Calprotectin is a protein released by the blood cells of the body’s defence system-WBCs, especially neutrophils. When there is an inflammation in the body, especially the gastrointestinal tract, the neutrophils get transported to the concerned site of action and release calprotectin, which then gets excreted in the faeces. Calprotectin stool test assesses the presence of any inflammatory reactions taking place in the intestine. 

The Stool Calprotectin test helps in:

• Assessment of inflammation in the digestive system
• Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases, specifically Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Differentiation of IBD from irritable bowel syndrome
• Monitoring and managing digestive system inflammation

The stool calprotectin test is a diagnostic test that measures the level of calprotectin in the stool.

An abnormal result on a Calprotectin Stool test may indicate the presence of inflammation in the digestive system, particularly in the intestines. It may be indicative of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or other inflammatory conditions.

The stool calprotectin test is a simple and non-invasive diagnostic test that can be performed at home or in a medical laboratory. 100 gms of stool in a sterile leakproof container is collected. The history of medicines needs to be reported. The sample should be collected from the first bowel movement of the day and be free of urine or toilet paper

The test is relatively simple and straightforward, and in most cases, no special preparation is required. However, it is important to follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider or the testing facility to ensure that the sample is properly collected and handled.

Some of the symptoms or conditions that may warrant a Calprotectin Stool test include:

• Persistent diarrhea: If you have had diarrhea that lasts for several days or longer, your healthcare provider may order a Calprotectin Stool test to help determine the cause of your symptoms.
• Abdominal pain or cramping: If you experience frequent or severe abdominal pain or cramping, especially if it is accompanied by changes in bowel habits, a Calprotectin Stool test may be ordered to help identify the cause.
• Blood in the stool: If you notice blood in your stool, your healthcare provider may order a Calprotectin Stool test to help determine whether inflammation in the digestive tract may be contributing to your symptoms.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): If you have been diagnosed with IBD, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, a Calprotectin Stool test may be used to monitor the severity of the inflammation and the effectiveness of treatment.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): While IBS does not typically cause inflammation in the digestive tract, some healthcare providers may order a Calprotectin Stool test to help rule out other potential causes of symptoms.

Fecal Calprotectin test

Fecal Calprotectin assay