Help with fecal calprotectin results

[CatherineM]

Hey everyone. My names Catherine and I'm 25 from uk. For the last 2 years iv been suggesting quite bad with illness and thoroughly investigated. I was diagnosed with bile reflux/gastritis but a year ago my fecal calprotectin was very high so was told I could have IBD. Iv had colonoscopy and MRI of small bowel which were both fine.

In the last month iv been in and out hospital 3 times. Yesterday I was admitted again and they r controlling my pain and sickness but iv anti sickness and morphine. I got discharged just under 2 weeks ago after a 3 weeks stay and asked to repeat the fecal calprotectin test again. So I done that and my results came yesterday. The doctor said it's quite high again. The figure is 900. He is going to speak to the consultant and possible get endoscopy again.

I just wondered how high 900 actually is. Does this indicate definitely IBD. Is there any questions or tests I could ask consultant about in the morning?

Thank u in advance for any replies. I'm really struggling at the moment as I'm always so unwell and have 2 gorgeous children who I miss so much when I'm in here. xx

 

[SarahBear]

Hi, Catherine!

The forum's wiki page on fecal calprotectin tests has some information that might help you understand you results. You can find it here: http://www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/Fecal-Calprotectin. Personally, I don't know much about the test, but it sounds like 900 is quite high.

If you wouldn't mind sharing, what tests have you had done and what are your symptoms? Have you had a colonoscopy? That's usually the first step in diagnosing IBD.

:hug: I hope you feel better soon!

 

[deedee]

Fecal calprotectin is a sign of inflammation, which can be due to IBD or other causes of inflammation (like infection, for example). 900 is high, yes. It definitely indicates inflammation but, like I said, the inflammation doesn't necessarily have to be caused by IBD. In patients with an established IBD diagnosis, elevated calprotectin usually means a flare. But if you don't have a diagnosis, it could mean lots of things.

I hope you get some relief and some answers soon.

 

[BoyMama2000]

The research I have read seems to indicate that numbers as high as you have certainly warrant more endoscopic testing. You may want to suggest they do an upper GI and a video capsule endoscopy? My son has had FCP close to 700 but his disease is only in the small bowel and therefore the video capsule camera is the only real way for them to see areas of inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of your colon. I don't think the MRI is as good a test for that and the video capsule is less expensive too. I think it is worth pursuing again and making sure they do the video camera pill/ upper GI. The inflammation can be coming from anywhere in your GI tract. Good luck to you. Keep advocating for yourself.