Calprotectin
CALPR
Description
"Calprotectin" test measures levels of calprotectin in stool to detect inflammation in the digestive tract. Doctors often order it when symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss suggest inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Elevated levels may point to active inflammation from conditions like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. This test helps distinguish IBD from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Results guide next steps, such as imaging or medication changes, and support long-term monitoring of gut health.
Test Category
Proteins
Procedure
Invasive
Sample Type
Blood – Serum
Units
Micrograms Per Milligram | Milligrams Per Liter
Procedure Category
Blood Draw
Test Group
Complete Inflammation Group
Test Group Description
Complete Inflammation Group: Extensive tests offer a comprehensive assessment of inflammatory markers, yielding detailed insights into inflammation levels and related health conditions.
Optimal Range
For All Individuals:
Conventional Unit: < 20.00 µg/mg
SI Unit: < 20.00 mg/L
Normal Range
For All Individuals:
Conventional Unit: < 50.00 µg/mg
SI Unit: < 50.00 mg/L
Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)
Increased levels may indicate:
Bacterial infections
Colorectal cancer
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) (chronic inflammation of the digestive tract)
Parasitic infections
Decreased levels may indicate:
Irritable bowel syndrome (chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits)
Viral gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus)
Key Reasons For Testing
Assessment of Intestinal Inflammation: Identifies intestinal inflammation, aiding in diagnosing and managing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Monitoring Disease Activity: Tracks inflammatory bowel disease activity to guide treatment decisions.
Differentiation of Inflammatory and Non-inflammatory Conditions: Distinguishes inflammation-related issues from other gastrointestinal causes.
Prediction of Relapse: Indicates the likelihood of flare-ups in Crohn’s or colitis, allowing proactive care.
Assessment of Treatment Response: Monitors treatment effectiveness by tracking calprotectin levels.
Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess
Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.
Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test
Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.
References
Important Note
Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.
Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.
Disclaimer
This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.
Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.
[1] Konikoff MR, Denson LA. Role of fecal calprotectin as a biomarker of intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2006;12(6):524-534.
[2] Schoepfer AM, Trummler M, Seeholzer P, Seibold-Schmid B, Seibold F. Discriminating IBD from IBS: Comparison of the test performance of fecal markers, blood leukocytes, CRP, and IBD antibodies. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2008;14(1):32-39.
[3] Roseth AG, Fagerhol MK, Aadland E, Schjonsby H. Assessment of the neutrophil dominating protein calprotectin in feces: a method for monitoring the inflammatory process in patients with IBD. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1992;27(9):793-798.
[4] Limburg PJ, Ahlquist DA, Sandborn WJ, Mahoney DW, Devens ME, Harrington JJ. Fecal calprotectin levels predict colorectal inflammation among patients with chronic diarrhea referred for colonoscopy. Am J Gastroenterol.2000;95(10):2831-2837.
[5] Tibble JA, Teahon K, Thjodleifsson B, et al. A simple method for assessing intestinal inflammation in Crohn's disease. Gut. 2000;47(4):506-513.
[6] Costa F, Mumolo MG, Bellini M, et al. Role of faecal calprotectin as non-invasive marker of intestinal inflammation. Dig Liver Dis. 2003;35(9):642-647.
[7] Sipponen T, Savilahti E, Karkkainen P, Kolho KL, Nuutinen H, Turunen U. Fecal calprotectin, lactoferrin, and endoscopic disease activity in monitoring anti-TNF-alpha therapy in Crohn's disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis.2008;14(10):1392-1398.
[8] Burri E, Beglinger C. Faecal calprotectin in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. Biochem Med (Zagreb).2011;21(3):245-253.
[9] D'Haens G, Ferrante M, Vermeire S, et al. Fecal calprotectin is a surrogate marker for endoscopic lesions in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2012;18(12):2218-2224.
[10] Røseth AG, Schmidt PN, Fagerhol MK. Correlation between faecal excretion of indium-111-labelled granulocytes and calprotectin, a granulocyte marker protein, in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Scand J Gastroenterol.1999;34(1):50-54.
[11] Lasson A, Stotzer PO, Öhman L, Isaksson S, Sapnara M, Strid H. The intra-individual variability of faecal calprotectin: a prospective study in patients with active ulcerative colitis. J Crohns Colitis. 2015;9(1):26-32.
[12] van Rheenen PF, Van de Vijver E, Fidler V. Faecal calprotectin for screening of patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease: diagnostic meta-analysis. BMJ. 2010;341.
[13] Foell D, Wittkowski H, Roth J. Monitoring disease activity by stool analyses: from occult blood to molecular markers of intestinal inflammation and damage. Gut. 2009;58(6):859-868.
[14] Gisbert JP, McNicholl AG. Questions and answers on the role of faecal calprotectin as a biological marker in inflammatory bowel disease. Dig Liver Dis. 2009;41(1):56-66.
[15] Røseth AG, Aadland E, Grzyb K. Normalization of faecal calprotectin: a predictor for mucosal healing in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2004;39(10):1017-1020.