Dr. Elizabeth Squirell · Gastroenterologist · Kingston Health Sciences Centre

Calprotectin stool test

A simple stool test that shows whether there is inflammation in your bowel. Here is how to collect it, what the numbers mean, and what can throw it off.

Key points

Calprotectin is a stool test for inflammation in the bowel. It helps your team check your IBD without a scope.
Use the container from the lab. If you can, collect from your first bowel movement of the morning.
Keep the sample free of urine and toilet water. Label it and drop it off as the lab tells you.
Avoid anti-inflammatory pain pills like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) before the test if you can. They can raise the result.
A low result means inflammation is unlikely. A high result means there may be inflammation, so your team will decide the next step.
Labs use slightly different cut-offs. Your team looks at your results over time, not just one number.
In Ontario, community labs charge a fee for this test, because OHIP does not cover it there. Ask your clinic where to go and what it costs.
Patients of Dr. Squirell's IBD clinic: the KHSC lab in Kingston does this test for free. You need to bring the sample back to that lab.

Go to emergency or call 911 if you have

Heavy bleeding from your bottom, or you feel faint
Severe belly pain that does not settle
A fever with belly pain
Vomiting, and you cannot keep fluids down