Faecal Calprotectin Test
A faecal calprotectin test measures a marker of inflammation in your stool. It can help your GP investigate bowel symptoms and distinguish inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from non-inflammatory conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Collect your sample in the comfort of your own home, with no fasting required. Your result should be interpreted by your GP alongside your symptoms and medical history.
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Why choose faecal calprotectin testing?
Simple home sample collection, professional laboratory analysis and convenient prepaid return.
Suitable for adults and children
For children, discuss the suitability of testing with their GP.
Test in the comfort of your own home
Collect your sample at home without a clinic visit.
Non-invasive
A stool sample test with no needles or invasive procedure.
Accredited Irish laboratory
Samples are analysed by a fully accredited Irish medical laboratory.
Convenient prepaid return
Post your sample directly to the laboratory in the prepaid package, which fits through a standard postbox.
Symptoms to discuss with your GP
Your GP may consider faecal calprotectin testing when investigating ongoing bowel symptoms. These symptoms can have several causes and do not necessarily mean you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Persistent diarrhoea
Loose or frequent stools that continue or keep returning.
Abdominal pain or cramps
Ongoing or recurring discomfort in your tummy.
Persistent tiredness
Feeling unusually tired or lacking energy.
Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without trying.
Speak to your GP about persistent symptoms, blood in your stools or unexplained weight loss. Seek urgent medical help for severe abdominal pain or heavy or ongoing bleeding.
Faecal calprotectin FAQs
What is IBD
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.
What is Calproctectin
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.
What does it test for?
When someone experiences lower gastrointestinal symptoms, a faecal calprotectin test can be used to identify if the symptoms are associated with an inflammatory bowel condition.
It can be a useful marker to differentiate between IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
When inflammation occurs, calprotectin is activated. The higher the degree of inflammation, the higher the concentration of calprotectin.
Already diagnosed with IBD, should I do the test?
Those with diagnosed IBD, can perform faecal calprotectin tests to monitor ‘flare-ups’ and to evaluate severity of calprotectin levels. The test can be repeated several weeks later to monitor the levels to see if they are increasing or decreasing if necessary. It can also be performed on IBD patients to help understand the effect prescribed medication is having on the disease and readjust the prescription if necessary.
Regulation
*NICE 2013 approved for IBD screening.
‘Faecal calprotectin testing is recommended by NICE as an option to help doctors distinguish between inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and non-inflammatory bowel diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome’ Nice 2013
What do the results mean?
A negative result is a calprotectin level of <50µg/g. A level below this range would suggest that your symptoms are unlikely to be caused by IBD.
A borderline result is considered if the level of calprotectin is between 50-100µg/g.
A calprotectin level of >100µg/g is considered positive.
If the test reports a borderline result with no explanation (such as taking certain medications), it is recommended that the test be repeated in 2-3 weeks to determine if the levels are decreasing or continuing to rise. If your test is positive, your GP may refer you to have a colonoscopy where biopsies are taken to confirm the diagnosis.
Can the test be affected by medications?
There are interference factors which can possibly give elevated results for faecal calprotectin concentration in the absence of chronic inflammatory bowel disease or when the disease is not active, such as NSAIDs, or gastrointestinal infections.
Calprotectin Test Details
- Testing Age
- Adults & Children
Discuss testing for children with their GP. - Referral
- No referral required
- Results
- Approx. 10 working days from laboratory receipt
Home Test Kit Fee
€125
What’s included in your calprotectin kit?
Your kit includes one of each item below to collect your sample at home and package it for return to the laboratory.
Test Instructions Book
Read before collecting, packaging and returning your sample.
Test Request Form
Complete the required patient details and return with your sample.
Prepaid Postage Box
Return your packaged sample directly to the laboratory.
Biohazard Bag
Package your sample as shown in the supplied instructions.
Absorbent Pad
Use when packaging the sample, following the instructions.
Blue Security Seal Sticker
Seal the return package as instructed.
Sample Container
The scoop is attached to the cap. Use the supplied container to collect and hold your stool sample.
Collection Mat
Use the collection mat as directed in your kit.
Understanding your calprotectin result
Your report gives the measured calprotectin level and the laboratory’s reference range. A raised result is not a diagnosis, and a low result does not exclude every bowel condition.
Share your report with your GP or specialist to discuss the result and any next steps. GastroLife is a testing centre and does not diagnose conditions or provide treatment.
Shipping and T&C’s
Patient Details
Ordering for someone else?
We assume the name and address provided at checkout belong to the patient taking the test.
If you are purchasing the test for a family member or someone else, please contact GastroLife immediately after purchase to provide the patient’s details.
Order your home testing kit by clicking on the Add to Cart Button below
Explore other digestive health tests
Faecal calprotectin is one part of a broader digestive health assessment.
If you’re experiencing multiple digestive symptoms or are looking for a broader assessment of your gut health, the Comprehensive Gut Check Bundle combines five key gastrointestinal investigations in one package.
Comprehensive Gut Check Bundle
A broader assessment of your gut health
- SIBO Breath TestChecks for bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
- Faecal CalprotectinHelps assess inflammation in the digestive tract.
- Faecal Pancreatic ElastaseAssesses pancreatic enzyme production.
- H. Pylori TestingDetects Helicobacter pylori infection.
- Bowel Cancer FIT ScreeningScreens for hidden blood in the stool.
Discuss the most suitable testing option with your GP.
