Calprotectin (Stand-Alone)

What this laboratory test evaluates

Fecal calprotectin has been shown to increase at a faster rate than serum calprotectin suggesting that fecal calprotectin quantification is a significant biomarker for early stage intestinal mucosal inflammation. In addition, calprotectin is highly resistant to degradation by gastric proteases making it an ideal fecal biomarker for non-invasive detection of intestinal inflammation.

A wide variety of conditions can result in increased neutrophils present in the GI tract including:

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Crohn’s Disease (CD)
• Food/protein sensitivities
• Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
• Infectious (pro-inflammatory) organisms

Additional test information

Calprotectin is a 36 kDa heterodimeric calcium bind protein that comprises approximately 60% of the cytosolic proteins present in inflammatory cells. Therefore, during intestinal inflammation, calprotectin quantification can be used to measure the level of neutrophils present in the intestinal lumen.

Collection and processing

• Sample type: Stool
• Fasting: No
• Estimated laboratory processing: Results should arrive 7 – 14 business days after the lab receives samples.

How Sunridge uses laboratory information

Sunridge considers the medical question, symptoms, history, medications, prior results, and whether the finding could change care before recommending testing. A laboratory result is not interpreted in isolation and does not establish a diagnosis by itself.

Before requesting this test

Availability, collection requirements, eligibility, and processing estimates can change. Sunridge reviews each request and, when appropriate, creates the order through Fullscript. Follow the current instructions supplied with the approved order.

Related Sunridge care

Learn how Sunridge approaches Digestive Conditions and ask whether this test is appropriate for your clinical question.