Faecal Calprotectin
Code:
FCAL
Sample Type:
Faeces (Blue Topped 30 mL container with Spoon)
Minimum volume: Please ensure that there is at least half a heaped spoonful of faecal material in the specimen container.
Ref Ranges/Units:
<100 μg/g – organic disease unlikely
100-249 μg/g – borderline result, suggest review medications (PPI, SSRIs, NSAIDs) and repeat
>250 μg/g – routine GI referral
Please note, results should be interpreted alongside clinical assessment and local guidelines.
Turnaround:
Within 2 weeks
Special Precautions/Comments:
Must be a fresh sample and must have solid material for analysis.
Please note that specimens of a liquid/mucous nature, or consisting of undigested food, are unsuitable for this assay and cannot be processed.
Additional Information:
Calprotectin is a protein found in neutrophils and is released during inflammation. Levels of calprotectin in faeces correlate with neutrophilic infiltration of intestinal mucosa and severity of inflammation. As such, measurement of calprotectin in faeces is used in the assessment and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
South of Tyne & Wear Pathology Centre
