Calprotectin Stool

Overview

The Calprotectin Stool test measures faecal calprotectin, a protein released by neutrophils that can be elevated in the presence of gastrointestinal inflammation. As calprotectin is stable in stool and reflects neutrophil activity within the intestinal tract, it is widely used as a noninvasive marker to help distinguish inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from functional conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

This assessment may relate to concerns such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood or mucus in stool, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or uncertainty about whether symptoms reflect inflammatory or non-inflammatory processes. It is also commonly used in individuals with known IBD to evaluate inflammatory activity, assess relapse, or review changes over time.

Practitioners typically integrate calprotectin results with symptom history, stool patterns, dietary factors, medication use, lifestyle influences and information shared by clients. This supports a broader understanding of how gastrointestinal inflammation may align with reported symptoms.