Comprehensive Gut Check Bundle

The Faecal calprotectin test checks for levels of the protein calprotectin in the faeces. This very protein is released by neutrophils (White blood cells) in response to inflammation.

What Is The Use Of The Test?

IBD stands for Inflammatory bowel disease. The two most common type are Crohn’s Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). CD can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract, whereas UC only affects the large intestine.

The cause is not known but it is thought to be associated with an autoimmune process. IBD is a chronic condition. When IBD is present, there can be periods when the disease is active, sometimes termed a ‘flare-up’. At other times, the disease is in remission and symptoms may be reduced or have subsided.

In patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of IBS or IBD, NICE* recommends the use of faecal calprotectin analysis, as a first-line test, to rule out IBD. The test can avoid the need for IBS patients to undergo endoscopy procedures.

Calprotectin Raised In Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Calprotectin is a protein that is found in white blood cells called neutrophils. It provides different benefits to the body. These include providing antibacterial functions. But when there is inflammation, these white blood cells release calprotectin.

Importance Of Faecal Calprotectin Test In Comprehensive Gut Check

This particular test is a very useful marker in identifying inflammatory bowel disease. Moreover, it can effectively differentiate between bowel diseases of similar presentations i.e. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A study found the faecal calprotectin test to have good diagnostic precision in distinguishing between IBD and non-IBD conditions.

Before purchasing your kit, please read the Terms & Conditions which can be viewed using the link below.

Pancreatic health has a direct impact on the digestive system. The faecal pancreatic elastase test aka stool elastase test is performed to access the functioning of the pancreas as it looks for the levels of enzyme elastase in the stool.

The enzyme is normally excreted into faeces and is an indication of an optimally working pancreas, however, lower than normal levels point towards under activity of the gland.

What Is The Use Of This Test?

This test is critical to determine conditions like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in terms of enzyme production (for digestion).  As the name indicates, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition characterised by the underperformance of the pancreas (in terms of producing enzymes). The lower than normal level of the digestive enzyme in the pancreas hinders the process of digestion and therefore, malabsorption ensues.

It has symptoms similar to gastric issues such as bloating, abdominal discomfort and weight loss. Malabsorption and malnutrition may lead to delayed growth in children with pancreatic insufficiency.

EPI is the outcome of some underlying abnormality rather than a disease itself. A low level of stool elastase and pancreatic performance may be due to the following reasons:

Blocked pancreatic ducts

Recurrent inflammation of the pancreas

Post pancreatic surgery complications

How Is The Test Performed?

A stool container is used to collect a stool sample. The sample is posted back to the lab as per the instructions in the testing kit.

Before purchasing your kit, please read the Terms & Conditions which can be viewed using the link below.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a highly prevalent and recurrent infection of the gut. The bacterial infection has a high global incidence and recurrence rate leading significant medical burden. It causes inflammation of the stomach and is thought to be involved in the development of peptic ulcers.

A Helicobacter Pylori stool antigen test checks your stool (faeces) for Helicobacter Pylori antigens. These are substances that trigger the immune system to fight the infection.

This is one of the most common tests used to detect H. Pylori infection.

How Is The Test Performed?

A stool container is used to collect a stool sample. The sample is posted back to the lab as per the instructions in the testing kit.

Before purchasing your kit, please read the pre-procedure instructions and Terms & Conditions which can be viewed using the links below.

Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is a process of screening for bowel (colorectal) cancer. It checks for hidden blood in one’s stool from the lower intestines. The concept of the FIT test is that blood vessels in large colon polyps or cancers are usually delicate enough to be injured easily by passing stool, resulting in small quantities of blood released from those vessels which can only be detected through FIT testing.

What Is The Use Of The Test?

The FIT test is used to measure blood in the stools. If blood is detected in the the FIT test it does not necessarily mean that you have bowel cancer, since bleeding can be caused by something else such as:

Haemorrhoids

Intestinal polyps

Inflammatory bowel conditions

How Is The Test Performed?

A small quantity of stool is collected using the sample stick provided and sent to the laboratory for analysis. If anything unusual is found during the analysis, one is recommended to carry out further testing.

Importance Of Faecal Immunochemical Test In Comprehensive Gut Check

Making FIT a part of the Comprehensive gut test minimizes the risk of succumbing to colon cancer. Also, colon cancer is among the most common cancers affecting a significant population. Therefore, the Faecal Immunochemical test assists in detecting colon cancer at an early stage when it is easily treatable.

Before purchasing your kit, please read the Terms & Conditions which can be viewed using the link below.