Panorama general
A calprotectin fecal test measures the amount of the protein calprotectin in stool. Calprotectin is released by certain immune cells when they're active. The level of calprotectin in stool can help show how much inflammation there may be in the intestines.
A calprotectin stool test may help evaluate:
The calprotectin test also may help tell IBD from other digestive system conditions that aren't linked to intestinal inflammation. One example is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The calprotectin test requires a stool sample. This test alone can't diagnose a specific disease. Other testing may be needed to determine what's causing intestinal inflammation.
Por qué se hace
The calprotectin test looks for signs of inflammation in the intestines. Along with other health information, the calprotectin test can help your healthcare team find the cause of digestive symptoms.
The test can help distinguish IBS from IBD. That's because IBS does not cause inflammation in the intestines. So IBS does not raise calprotectin levels in stool. IBD is linked to intestinal inflammation and may cause higher calprotectin levels.
Calprotectin levels may be used along with other tests to check stool for different signs of disease, called markers. For example, the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and the fecal occult blood test look for blood in stool.
Calprotectin levels alone aren't enough to diagnose conditions such as IBD, IBS, celiac disease or colorectal cancer. Your care team considers the calprotectin test result along with other information when making a diagnosis.
Riesgos
A calprotectin test has very few risks, side effects or complications.
One limitation of the test is that calprotectin levels are signs of immune system action and do not diagnose illness. This test can help your care team find the cause of some digestive symptoms. It also can be used to monitor how IBD responds to therapy. Calprotectin levels may be high for many reasons. Examples are colorectal cancer, celiac disease and infections in the intestines.
People with low levels of white blood cells may have calprotectin results that are lower than expected. This may lead to repeat testing or other tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Also, calprotectin levels can vary throughout stool. A sample from one area may give a different result than a sample from another area. For this reason, changes in calprotectin levels over time may appear different than they are.
Cómo prepararte
Follow the instructions that come with your calprotectin stool collection kit. These instructions may vary depending on the laboratory and the type of collection device.
Tell your healthcare professional about medicines you take. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may alter calprotectin test results. Keep taking your prescription medicine unless your care team tells you not to.
Ask your healthcare professional or laboratory when to return your sample and whether it should be refrigerated or frozen.
Qué esperar
You usually can collect the stool sample at home. You do not need to be at a medical clinic. Your care team most likely gives you instructions and a container or collection device for the sample.
Read all the instructions before starting, even if you've done a calprotectin test before. Instructions can change, and kits may differ in how you collect and store the sample.
Follow the kit's instructions and any instructions from your care team.
In general, follow these steps to collect a stool sample:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before collecting the sample.
- Put the collection container in place in the toilet bowl or attach it to the toilet seat, as directed. Have a bowel movement into the collection container. Do not urinate into the collection container. Do not let the stool mix with toilet water.
- Use the sample tools or container to get the sample. Follow the kit instructions to collect the amount needed.
- Close the container. Make sure the lid is secure. Dry the outside of the container with a disposable paper towel.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after collecting the sample.
- Label the sample container and put it in the plastic bag for transport. Store the sample as directed in your kit instructions.
- If necessary, follow the kit instructions on flushing the remaining stool and disposing of the collection container.
- Return the sample container by mail or in person, depending on the instructions in your kit.
The amount of time it takes to get results of the calprotectin test depends on the laboratory.
Resultados
A calprotectin stool test reports the level of the protein calprotectin in your stool. The test report also provides reference values to help interpret your results. These values can vary depending on the laboratory and test method. Calprotectin levels also can vary with age. Healthy children, especially children younger than age 4, may have higher levels than older children and adults. Calprotectin levels also may be higher in older adults and people with obesity.
Use the reference values provided with your test result. Your care team also considers factors such as your age, symptoms and other health information when interpreting test results.
In general, reference values are reported as:
- Not elevated. This means the level of calprotectin in your sample didn't suggest active inflammation in the intestines.
- Borderline elevated. This may be due to mild inflammation. That could happen during treatment for known IBD. Or medicines may cause a borderline result.
- Significantly elevated. This suggests active inflammation in the intestines. More testing is needed to determine the cause.
Significantly elevated calprotectin levels could be linked to conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, an infection in the intestines, celiac disease, colorectal cancer or other inflammatory conditions.
Aug. 21, 2026