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Background:

To rule-out inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients where irritable bowel syndrome is suspected.

For GPs, please see Faecal Calprotectin - local guideline for primary care for further information.

For information on how to collect a stool sample, please see NHS Instructions for collecting a stool sample

At least a pea-sized amount of faeces is required for analysis.

Key points to consider:

• Calprotectin testing is not appropriate in patients > 45 years, unless monitoring patients known to have IBD.
• Test should not be requested in patients with red flag indicators or in those with known infectious diarrhoea.
• Visibly bloody stool samples will not be analysed; patient should be urgently referred for further investigation.
• NSAIDS may causes a false positive result.

Serial testing is generally not appropriate. All requests made within 6 months of a previous request will be reviewed by the Duty Biochemist, and may be rejected if considered unnecessary.

Other Comments:

For more information, please see the following: Calprotectin - Lab Tests Online