Testing for IBD

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF CALPROTECTIN TESTING?

Calprotectin detected in a faeces sample tells the doctor there is likely to be inflammation in the gut. It does not tell us what is wrong, but it does tell us there is inflammation:

IT IS A NON SPECIFIC MARKER

It can help to diagnose IBD by confirming inflammation, and rule out NON inflammatory conditions such as:

ï IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) ï VIRAL INFECTION

This removes the need to do colonoscopies on patients with a negative result who may have IBS and not IBD. Avoiding the need for this invasive procedure is safer and more convenient for patients, and reduces the impact on valuable healthcare resources.

It is important to know which condition the patient has in order to provide the correct and appropriate treatment.

A calprotectin test is usually done once infection is eliminated and if symptoms continue.