Hi.
Just looking for some information.
Recently had a Calprotectin stool test done. My GP told me that the inflammation was moderately high (117) when it should have been 15 or lower, so got referred to a gastro Doctor and now awaiting a MRI on small bowels. Doctors says IBD.. but wether chrons or colitis he is unsure.
Is this right. Because it’s inflamed that I have 1 or the other?
Or would it be another reason to why it’s inflammed?
Thanks in advance x
A high fecal calprotectin test may indicate inflammation in the gut suggesting IBD. This is why you are being referred for further tests which will show if you have IBD and what type.
Faecal Calprotectin is an indicator of inflammation somewhere along the GI tract (anywhere between the mouth and the anus). However, after doing a bit of research on this, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have an IBD. Food intolerance / allergy, tooth abscess, gastroenteritis and certain medications to name a few have all been linked to giving positive calprotectin results, even a sore throat can produce a positive result. It is only an indicator test and a sensitive one at that, results should be taken with a pinch of salt, further investigation will be done to determine if you do have an IBD.
One of my Calprotectin results was >1400, at those sorts of levels they were expecting to see major inflammation and ulcering during my last colonoscopy, but I was told my rectum, colon and last part of my small bowel looked very healthy and my biopsies were normal. The doctors then said I need a small bowel MRI, but this is just a precaution. Was told as my colonoscopy gave such good results, and I don’t share the same symptoms of a Crohns sufferer and am not more ill than I usually am, then they seriously doubt they will find any signs of Crohns.
Ulcerative Colitis affect the colon only, Crohns Disease can affect any part of the GI tract. Have you had a colonoscopy? Strange if not as if you have Crohns then a colonoscopy will usually reveal it, a high percentage of Crohns patients get ulcering around the last part of the small bowel (terminal ileum), which is examined during a colonoscopy. MRI scans are cheaper than colonoscopies, that’s probably why they have done it this way round.
There have been many people who have a raised Calprotectin level and do not have an IBD, I pretty sure I am one of them, and with your level, I wouldn’t be surprised if nothing is found during your investigations.
Good luck and all the best for the future.
Wow! I’m so please all results were well for you :D that’s great!
I thought I’d have to have a colonoscopy too! But he said he’s sure there’s something going on in my small bowels that’s why he wanted a MRI only on that particular area!
Thank you so much for all your information x