Fecal calprotectin
calprotectin test · stool calprotectin · fecal calprotectin · stool inflammation test
This is a stool test. It shows whether there is inflammation in your bowel.
For long-term diarrhea, belly pain, or blood in the stool; to tell bowel inflammation from irritable bowel; and to track treatment.
⏱ Duration: collecting at home takes a few minutes; results usually come in 1 to 5 days
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Container. Get a sterile container from the lab or a pharmacy.
- Collecting. Collect stool from a natural bowel movement, without enemas or laxatives. Keep urine and water out of the container.
- Medicines. Do not stop them on your own. Tell your doctor what you take. They will decide the best time for the test.
- Storage. Take it to the lab within the time they gave you.
What to bring
- The container with the sample
- Your test request form
- Your ID
How it goes
- Pass stool into a clean, dry pot or a bag
- Use the scoop in the lid to take a little stool
- Put in as much as the lab told you
- Close it tightly and label it
- Take it to the lab
What you'll feel
- Nothing unpleasant, just a little awkward
Afterwards
- Results usually come in 1 to 5 days
- A high calprotectin is a reason for the next step. Your doctor will decide what it is
Common questions
If calprotectin is high, is it a serious disease?
Not necessarily. It goes up with any bowel inflammation, including from an infection. Your doctor will find the cause.
Why do this test if I can have a colonoscopy?
It helps show whether you need a colonoscopy at all. Sometimes you can do without one.