Calprotectin, Stool

The Calprotectin, Stool test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker .

Brief Description: The Calprotectin Stool Test is a diagnostic test that measures the levels of calprotectin, a protein found in white blood cells, in a stool sample. Calprotectin is released into the intestines in response to inflammation, particularly from neutrophils, which are a type of immune cell that plays a key role in the body’s inflammatory response. The test is used to evaluate intestinal inflammation and to help differentiate between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and non-inflammatory conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). By detecting and quantifying calprotectin in the stool, healthcare providers can gain valuable insight into the presence and severity of inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract.

The Calprotectin Stool Test is considered a non-invasive, highly sensitive method for detecting inflammation in the intestines. Unlike invasive procedures such as colonoscopy, which directly visualize the gastrointestinal tract, this test offers a convenient way to monitor inflammation using only a stool sample. The levels of calprotectin can indicate whether the symptoms a patient is experiencing are likely due to inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or functional disorders like IBS, which typically do not cause inflammation.  

Testing Method:  Chemiluminescence 

Collection Method: Stool collection in a leak-proof screw cap cup 
Specimen Type: 3 grams Frozen Solid Stool 

Test Preparation: No preparation required 

Calprotectin Stool Test – When and Why It May Be Ordered

The Calprotectin Stool Test may be ordered when a patient is experiencing symptoms that could be caused by inflammation in the intestines. These symptoms may include chronic or persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, weight loss, blood in the stool, or mucus in the stool. Because many gastrointestinal disorders present with overlapping symptoms, this test can help narrow down the potential causes by determining whether inflammation is present.

Healthcare professionals may order this test to distinguish between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), two conditions that have similar symptoms but different underlying causes and treatments. IBS is a functional disorder, meaning there is no underlying inflammation, whereas IBD is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

The test may also be ordered to monitor disease activity in patients with known inflammatory bowel disease. In patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, rising calprotectin levels may indicate a flare-up or worsening disease activity, while decreasing levels may signal that the inflammation is resolving or the treatment is working. This ability to monitor disease activity makes the test a useful tool for tracking response to treatment and adjusting medications if needed.

In some cases, the Calprotectin Stool Test may also be ordered when evaluating patients with suspected gastrointestinal infections or other inflammatory conditions, such as microscopic colitis. It is particularly useful in pediatric patients, where invasive diagnostic procedures may be more difficult to perform.

Calprotectin Stool Test – What It Checks For

The Calprotectin Stool Test measures the concentration of calprotectin in a patient’s stool. Calprotectin is a protein found primarily in neutrophils, a type of white blood cell involved in the body’s immune response. When inflammation occurs in the intestines, neutrophils migrate to the affected site and release calprotectin into the intestinal lumen, where it can be detected in the stool.

Elevated calprotectin levels indicate the presence of active inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This inflammation may result from conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or other inflammatory bowel diseases. The severity of the inflammation often correlates with the calprotectin level, making this test useful for both diagnosis and disease monitoring.

By contrast, individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), generally have normal or very low calprotectin levels, as these disorders do not involve active inflammation. Therefore, the test helps differentiate inflammatory conditions from non-inflammatory ones.

The test can also help assess the effectiveness of treatment in patients already diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. Decreasing calprotectin levels after treatment initiation may indicate that the therapy is effectively reducing inflammation, while persistently high or rising levels may suggest ongoing or worsening inflammation, potentially requiring adjustments in treatment.

Calprotectin is also resistant to enzymatic degradation in the gut, which makes it a stable and reliable biomarker for intestinal inflammation. Its levels can fluctuate based on disease activity, which makes it especially valuable for long-term disease monitoring.

Calprotectin Stool Test – How Healthcare Professionals Use the Results

Healthcare professionals use the results of the Calprotectin Stool Test to guide diagnosis, treatment, and disease management. When the test is ordered as part of an initial diagnostic workup, the results help determine whether a patient’s symptoms are likely due to inflammation. If calprotectin levels are elevated, this suggests that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or another inflammatory condition may be present, and further diagnostic testing, such as colonoscopy, imaging studies, or additional laboratory tests, may be recommended.

If calprotectin levels are normal or very low, this makes inflammatory bowel disease less likely, and healthcare professionals may focus on diagnosing non-inflammatory conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dietary intolerances, or functional gastrointestinal disorders.

For patients with known inflammatory bowel disease, healthcare providers use calprotectin results to monitor disease activity over time. Regularly measuring calprotectin allows clinicians to assess whether the disease is in remission, whether inflammation is increasing, or whether treatment adjustments are necessary. This can help guide decisions regarding medications, dietary changes, or the need for further diagnostic testing.

In some cases, the Calprotectin Stool Test is used to predict relapses in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease. Studies have shown that patients with rising calprotectin levels, even in the absence of symptoms, may be at higher risk of experiencing a disease flare in the near future. This predictive capability can help guide preemptive treatment adjustments to potentially prevent flares.

The Calprotectin Stool Test is a valuable non-invasive tool for assessing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. By measuring levels of calprotectin, a protein released by immune cells in response to inflammation, the test helps healthcare providers distinguish between inflammatory and non-inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions. It plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and helps monitor disease activity in patients already diagnosed with these conditions.

With its ability to provide quantifiable data on intestinal inflammation, the Calprotectin Stool Test has become an essential tool for both initial diagnosis and ongoing disease management. It offers clinicians a convenient, reliable method for tracking treatment response and predicting disease flares, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.