Calprotectin Information for Patients

Understanding Calprotectin – Information for Patients

Why has my doctor requested a faecal calprotectin test?

Turvill_Mapping of Crohn's disease
Figure 1: Faecal calprotectin levels plotted against Crohn’s disease activity (Dr James Turvill, Frontline Gastroenterology 2014)

In the blood, red cells perform the vital role of delivering oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from around the body by virtue of the haemoglobin they contain. The role of white cells is to help defend the body against infection and foreign substances. Calprotectin is a protein that is found in white blood cells and it has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. There is as much calprotectin in the white cells that carry it, as there is haemoglobin in red cells.

Calprotectin is activated when inflammation occurs (whatever the cause of that may be) and thus can be used as a diagnostic indicator. The concentration of calprotectin relates directly to the severity of the inflammation. Figure 1.  represents  the calprotectin concentrations measured in faecal samples from patients diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and shows increasing levels with progression of the condition.

Thus, when lower abdominal symptoms exist, a faecal calprotectin test is used to identify whether an inflammatory bowel condition that requires further investigation, is the possible cause.

Calprotectin Levels

Faecal calprotectin has proven to be an extremely useful and cost effective marker to help differentiate between IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The test gained approval from NICE at the end of 2013 for screening purposes and since then the volume of calprotectin testing has increased dramatically. The calprotectin result helps doctors determine the next course of action in diagnosis and treatment of bowel conditions. It has no doubt saved many patients from unnecessary colonoscopies and helped in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of those with some form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) e.g. Crohn’s Disease (CD) or Ulcerative Colitis (UC).

Negative Result <50 µg/g

It is widely accepted that a calprotectin result of <50 µg/g is negative – this doesn’t mean that there is nothing wrong, just that the symptoms are unlikely to be caused by IBD. If symptoms persist but the calprotectin level is negative then other causes for the symptoms need to be investigated e.g. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), coeliac disease, food allergies or intolerances.  

Positive Result >200 µg/g

Faecal calprotectin levels >200 µg/g are usually considered positive and in most cases will result in a referral to the gastroenterology unit at the local hospital, so that further investigations can be performed to determine the cause of these increased values.

Mid Range Result

Results in the middle range or grey zone (50 – 200 µg/g) provide less certainty. The level is elevated above normal but is still lower than a positive result. There are a number of things that can cause the calprotectin level to moderately or even transiently increase without the cause being IBD:

  • Bacterial infection
  • Mild diverticulitis
  • Anything that irritates the lining of the gut and causes an inflammatory response:
    • Taking NSAID’s – things like aspirin or ibuprofen
    • Excessive alcohol
  • Some medications e.g. proton pump inhibitors

When values are in this region with no obvious explanation (such as medication) the recommendation is to repeat the test in 2 – 3 weeks to see if the level has dropped back to more normal levels or has continued to rise and hence needs to be investigated further.

Useful Websites for Further Support

Crohn’s and Colitis UK

Crohn’s Organisation

Coeliac UK

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – NHS Choices Conditions

The IBS Network

Allergy UK – Food Allergies

CICRA: better lives for children with crohns and colitis

Woman in doctor's office
Seek further advice from your healthcare professional

Other Useful Links

IBDoc® Calprotectin Patient Self Testing


IBDoc Patient Video

IBDoc and Me
Living with Crohn’s Disease – read the blog from a patient who believes self testing of his faecal calprotectin levels will help better manage his disease.

IBD Passport


Evidence-based travel advice for individuals with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis:

IBD Passport is an award winning website that aims to provide comprehensive, practical and reliable information on all aspects of travelling with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis making planning a trip easy.
IBD Passport is a UK registered non-profit charity (Registered number: 1171268) with a global reach aimed to support IBD travelers of all nations and regions in the world.

 

Crohn’s and Colitis Companion


Crohn’s and Colitis Companion gives advice on wide variety of subjects to IBD patients including:

  • Information on management of symptoms
  • Information on treatments
  • Information for parents with a child who has IBD
  • Information for young adults
  • Support from others who understand the issues IBD patients face

How to Take a Sample for Faecal Calprotectin Testing:

Calprotectin enters the stool whilst it is contact with the gut wall, and the concentration will vary depending on the transit time of the gut contents. If things are moving rapidly then it may not collect much calprotectin! For this reason it is recommended that the first stool of the day is used – this is likely to have been in the gut overnight and so should contain the highest level of calprotectin. If the first stool isn’t possible then use a sample where there has been a reasonable time between bowel movements.
Empty the bladder before collecting the sample to avoid contamination and dilution with urine. The sample must not come into contact with the toilet water which may contain chemicals that could influence the test result.

Watch the CALEX Sampling Device Guidance for Patients Video
Variations-in-Calprotectin

Methods for Collecting a Stool Sample:

  • Fe-Col – a paper loop that fits around the toilet seat and can be flushed away when finished.
    Watch the video
  • Put cling film (loosely to form a dip but not touching the water) under the toilet seat, attached to the porcelain and put the seat back down. Once the sample has been taken the excess can be allowed to fall into the toilet for disposal. Do NOT flush the cling film as this will cause blockages
  • Use a clean take away container, foil dish or paper plate to catch the sample. Excess sample can be tipped into the toilet, and the container disposed of appropriately
  • Lift the seat and place a cat litter bag (or other large opening plastic bag) over the porcelain and put the seat back down to hold in place whilst the sample is taken. Excess sample can be tipped into the toilet but the bag must not be flushed
https://www.alphalabs.co.uk/laboratory-products/consumables/sample-handling/fe-col174-faecal-sample-collection-papers
Faecal Sample Collection using Fe-Col

Calprotectin is not evenly distributed in the stool sample, so a sensible amount needs to be sent to the laboratory for testing – too little and there may be no calprotectin in the portion sent. Half fill the sample container with stool and seal tightly – ensure your full name and the date is on the pot. Please don’t completely fill the container in case of leaks!

Return the sample to the surgery/hospital within 24 hours.

PLEASE NOTE: The information on this site is primarily designed for use by healthcare professionals rather than the general public. Similarly the products are not suitable for personal purchase and self-testing without direction from a doctor.  If you have any concerns about Calprotectin testing or IBD, IBS and related conditions, please speak to your GP.

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