What can interfere with Faecal Calprotectin test results?

[jac521]

I have not had the Faecal Calprotectin test and was wondering what medications, etc. might interfere with the test results?

Thanks. Jac

 

[David]

In adult patients, FC showed 64% sensitivity and 80% specificity with 70% positive and 74% negative predictive values for organic causes. False-positive results (8 of 40 cases) were associated with the use of aspirin (3 cases) or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (1 case) and with the presence of concomitant liver cirrhosis (3 cases). False-negative results mainly included patients suffering from celiac disease (5 cases). Patients with IBD (9 cases) were identified with 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity. In pediatric patients, sensitivity was 70%, specificity was 93%, and positive and negative predictive values were 96% and 56%. False-negative results (11 of 35 cases) were associated mainly with celiac disease (6 cases) or intestinal giardiasis (2 cases).

Source

It really is a great test though.

 

[Lustforlife]

I thought I read somewhere but maybe I was wrong...can gastritis lead to elevated FC results?

 

[Johnnysmom]

Our GI said a stomach/intestinal virus can also affect the results.

 

[lubnaexperts]

can nexium or clarinase or zithromax affect the results of calprotectin

 

[SarahD]

There is some research showing that protpn pump inibitors's, like Nexium, can significantly elevate fecal calprotectin levels.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3520167/

 

[lubnaexperts]

thank u sarah for that I hope that his calprotectin will be reduced again as I dont want to give him humira

 

[Robert 125]

Source

It really is a great test though.

My son (14yrs) suffers with Crohn's Disease and has since he 1st diagnosed with IBD been taking Calprotectin tests his results have over the years changed drastically from 2348 (2020) and have shot up to 5568 (2021) and at last test 1154 (2025), no one can tell me why these results change so much. In the past years he has been found to be in remission and obviously we hope they same will be said this year. But what meds can affect Calprotectin levels he is on Azathioprine, Lansoprazole, Prednisolone, Calichew, and Ursodeoxycholic Acid medication as well as Infliximab Infusions. The hospital amend his Infliximab levels but that doesn't seem to alter his Calprotectin levels too much. Could his medications being part of the problem or could it be diet, Food Allergy etc? Anything else I haven't mentioned? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Pangolin]

My son (14yrs) suffers with Crohn's Disease and has since he 1st diagnosed with IBD been taking Calprotectin tests his results have over the years changed drastically from 2348 (2020) and have shot up to 5568 (2021) and at last test 1154 (2025), no one can tell me why these results change so much. In the past years he has been found to be in remission and obviously we hope they same will be said this year. But what meds can affect Calprotectin levels he is on Azathioprine, Lansoprazole, Prednisolone, Calichew, and Ursodeoxycholic Acid medication as well as Infliximab Infusions. The hospital amend his Infliximab levels but that doesn't seem to alter his Calprotectin levels too much. Could his medications being part of the problem or could it be diet, Food Allergy etc? Anything else I haven't mentioned? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

With numbers like that, I don't think your son is in deep remission. I would not be comfortable about those numbers or the number of medications your son is on.

 

[Robert 125]

I am not and neither is the hospital, but I'm trying to find out if there could be any other reason for his Calprotectin levels being that high. Currently his levels are 1154 (Dec 24), could a food allergy be part of the problem? My son's dad and I are divorced and he refuses to let the doctors do Endoscopies, although to be far the last one the hospital did last year, didn't show any inflammation etc. I'm just trying to rule things out as the hospital have only just this year confirmed that maybe amending my son diet might help. After 5 years of telling me I didn't know what I was talking about. Im just a mum determined to help her son out. Any assistant would be greatly welcomed..

 

[Pangolin]

I know some infections can cause slightly raised calprotectin. I think polyps and cancer can also cause elevated calprotectin. I haven't heard of anything but Crohn's causing numbers that high though.

 

[Robert 125]

Thank you for that, Ill keep researching and see what I find.

 

[my little penguin]

What about imaging ?
MRE or CTE or ultrasound specifically for crohns .
Since you said the scopes were clean .
Did they do a capsule endoscopy (pill cam )?
Have you had a second opinion ?
Food allergies (IgE ) do not cause high fecal caloprotectin.
Inflammation from crohns /uc ,infection or nsaids but not at those levels .
Have you had a second opinion ?
Chop and Boston childrens will do a second opinion records review so no extra testing or visiting a needed .
My adult child has had food allergies since age 4 . Ige has been high as have eosinophils but his fecal caloprotectin is less than 15 .
True food allergies cause a reaction within two hours of eating
Hives , trouble breathing (wheezing) vomiting etc…

Eosinophilic disorders can cause inflammation but that is typically a pre cursor to crohns not the other way around .