Private calprotectin test

A faecal calprotectin test is a helpful and non-invasive diagnostic tool that can help diagnose and monitor inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Calprotectin is a protein made in response to inflammation in the body. High levels of calprotectin in a stool sample can indicate IBD.

As IBD and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can present with similar symptoms like stomach discomfort, cramps, and watery diarrhoea, a stool calprotectin test is a useful tool to help provide a clear diagnosis. People with IBD not receiving any treatment for the condition will have higher than normal levels of calprotectin present in their stool sample due to inflammation of the bowel, whereas people with IBS will have lower levels.

A private calprotectin test is a non-invasive test that can help diagnose and monitor IBD. You should consider having a calprotectin test if you experience recurrent bouts of watery diarrhoea, as well as any of the below:

• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Bloating or wind
• Feeling an urgent need to move your bowels
• Always feeling like you need to move your bowels even when there is no stool
• Stomach pain or cramps
• Weight loss without trying
• Joint problems

In some circumstances, a faecal calprotectin test can help to detect bowel cancer. A calprotectin test is designed to detect inflammation of the bowels. Bowel cancer can sometimes cause bowel inflammation. So while a calprotectin test cannot detect cancer and is not used for this purpose, it may help uncover some of its symptoms.

As a result, further investigation into your symptoms, family history, and lifestyle may be needed, or further testing may be advised to establish the exact cause of your bowel inflammation.

Other potential causes of bowel inflammation, can include:

• Bowel cancer
• Some medications
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Ulcers

If you are specifically concerned about your risk of bowel cancer, we recommend you book an appointment with your GP or a Private GP Consultation first to discuss your concerns and get advice on any tests you may require.

A faecal calprotectin test involves collecting a small stool sample and sending it off for laboratory testing.

There is no need to attend an appointment, as the sample can be collected at home. Full instructions on collecting your stool sample will be provided when you order a calprotectin home test. There are different ways to collect stool samples, so careful attention should be paid to the instructions, but in general, you will need to:

• Label the container with your name, collection date, and time first
• Collect the sample as instructed
• Ensure the stool sample doesn’t mix with any urine, toilet paper, or water from the toilet
• Securely close the container
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
• Return the container according to the instructions

Normal or low levels of calprotectin in a stool sample usually mean that your intestines are not inflamed and that you don't have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Your symptoms may be the result of a type of non-inflammatory condition like IBS, and you might require further tests or a review to discuss your symptoms in more detail to help get a diagnosis.

High levels of calprotectin in your stool sample mean that your intestines are inflamed, which can indicate IBD. The higher the levels, the more inflammation you have, which is why a stool calprotectin test can also be a useful way to monitor the efficacy of treatment of IBD and reduce the number of invasive procedures, like endoscopies, you need.