Stool Inflammation Test – Calprotectin

Beschrijving

Calprotectin – Stool Inflammation Test

The Calprotectin Stool Test is a clinically established, non-invasive marker used to assess intestinal inflammation. It is particularly useful when gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, urgency, or altered bowel habits raise concern for inflammatory activity in the gut.

Unlike a routine stool culture or a basic microbiology test, calprotectin does not primarily look for infection. Instead, it helps determine whether symptoms may be associated with intestinal inflammation, making it a valuable tool when differentiating functional bowel complaints from inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions.

Why this test is clinically valuable

Calprotectin is a protein released largely from neutrophils during inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Elevated stool calprotectin levels are associated with inflammatory activity in the intestinal mucosa and may help distinguish inflammatory bowel disease from more functional conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

• Non-invasive marker of intestinal inflammation
• Helpful in differentiating IBS from inflammatory bowel disease
• Useful for monitoring inflammatory activity over time
• May support assessment of treatment response and disease relapse risk

What this test evaluates

• Calprotectin as a marker of intestinal inflammation

Who may benefit

• Patients with persistent diarrhea or abdominal pain
• Individuals with unexplained bowel habit changes
• Cases where intestinal inflammation should be excluded
• Patients being monitored for inflammatory bowel activity
• Situations where distinction between IBS and inflammatory disease is clinically important

When this test may be especially useful

• Suspected inflammatory bowel disease
• Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms without a clear cause
• Follow-up of known inflammatory bowel conditions
• Assessment before moving to broader stool or gastrointestinal testing

Sample Type

Stool sample collected at home using a dedicated collection kit.

Turnaround Time

Approximately 4 to 6 working days after sample arrival at the laboratory.

Related Tests

For a broader gastrointestinal assessment, this test may be combined with other stool markers such as Lactoferrin, Secretory IgA, Zonulin, Elastase, or more comprehensive profiles such as GI360™ or Comprehensive Stool Analysis.

• Sample requirement: Stool

Suitable for postal submission.