Calprotecin testing

[Easton]

Hi
This is my first ever thread...
I need to know more about this test and I am currently on my first dose of steroids 60mg of prednisone. These have obviously taken down the inflamation so would this give false results...confused.
Any response would be helpful.
x

 

[DustyKat]

Hi Easton and :welcome:

There are three tests for inflammation: ESR & CRP, these are serum (blood) tests and whilst they test for inflammation they cannot tell you where in the body the inflammation is present when levels are elevated. Calprotectin is a faecal test and so is specific to inflammation in the GI tract.

These tests aren’t only used to determine if inflammation is present but also as a way of determining response to treatment. With the blood markers CRP is normally used as it has a quicker response time to treatment over ESR.

I know what you are getting at with your question so:

Have you had Faecal Calprotectin done before?
If so then they would be tracking your response to treatment and a decrease in numbers is what you would want to see.

If you haven’t had the test before then running it now is a little like closing the gate after the horse has bolted. That is not to say that it still can’t be used for tracking disease and response purposes but it is always nice to have those pre treatment numbers as a baseline.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Easton]

Hi Dusty! Thank you so much for replying.
I have had bloods done which have shown inflammation and my albumin levels are low and my symptoms have gradually worsened: thinning hair, mouth ulcers, pale, weak etc My stomach problems have always been upper and gp says I have GERD I do have occasional 'upset stomach' every week/2 weeks? I did pay privately to see consultant and he said he's sure it's IBD.

The next step is to have scopes but waiting list is pretty rubbish so my own gp has suggested the calprotecin test in the mean time...like you said and like I thought it didn't seem to make sense to have it when I have just started prednisone as inflammation would be less. I've just done 60mg for a week but will now reduce this dose..the quicker the better really as I don't like the idea of being on them long term at the moment. My gut feeling is to wait a couple of weeks and do the test then...
It's so nice to get a reply and I hope you don't mind me bombarding you with all of this but you seem quite experienced and all this is pretty new to me : )

Thanks again x

 

[DustyKat]

Have you had Thyroid Function Tests (blood test) done?

Now that you have started the Pred I don’t think it matters when you have the test, unless when you taper the symptoms return and then that may well be the time to strike.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Easton]

I had bloods done a while back which were high for inflammatory markers but not sure about thyroid function? I agree and will send off the calprotecin test this week. Thanks again for your advice.
I feel quite rough on the prednisone and wish I could stop taking them...im reducing number of tabs to wean off them. Thanks for listening x

 

[scottsma]

I agree with your sentiments about Pred.I've been on it for 4wks,tapering weekly,and finish on Thursday.My calpro level was 300,not too high,I know.The Pred is prior to an MRI scan next Thursday.But it's made me feel yuuky.Feels like a major flare (for me) Diarrhoea,pain,mucus,blood. indigestion, then Constipation.Take a laxative,then same again.Apart from urgency and occasional flares,I felt fine pre Pred.

 

[Crohns11]

Hello,
I was diagnosed with crohns in January 2012, i also have underacti thyroid and severe to moderate bile malsorbtion , iam taking 150mg azathioprine and 75microgrammes for my thyroid. I have recently been having severe pain in my right side which is now in my left side, my proffessor has asked for a feacel calprotection test. What will this show? As at the min my head abit of a mess. I also am waiting for a mri scan for my pancreas, and i have had some feacel discharge from my vagina, so I really don't know what is going on??? Im worrying , thank you all for reading this and helping etc xx

 

[Easton]

Hi scottsma
This is my first dose of pred and I dont like it : ( doc put me on 60mg (is that high?) How did you taper it off, what dosage? Have you had any other side affects? Its a waiting game though trying to get some answers. Have u had any diagnosis yet? What could mri show? Good luck with the scan.
X

 

[Easton]

Hi Crohn's11
A lot of this is new to me but I understand that the test indicates inflamation specifically from the bowel. I know i have inflamation and symptoms suggest its in the bowel but the test will confirm it. Im expecting a long wait for scopes now ive been referred. Sounds like youre having a bad time of it : ( faecel discharge fron the vagina? I didnt think that was possible, sounds awful though. How long have you got to wait for mri? Good luck x

 

[Crohns11]

Hi Easton , sorry I meant to put waiting for results from mri, as I had it 2 weeks ago. Thank you x