Fecal Calprotactin

High fecal calprotectin means there is neutrophil-driven inflammation in the intestines. It commonly indicates active inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) or infection, and can rise with NSAID injury or colorectal cancer. It helps distinguish inflammatory conditions from functional disorders like IBS but is not diagnostic alone; elevated results prompt further evaluation (repeat testing, stool cultures, blood tests, imaging or colonoscopy).

No. Calprotectin is primarily a marker of neutrophil-driven inflammation—commonly measured in stool to detect and monitor inflammatory bowel disease and distinguish it from functional disorders. Levels can rise with infections, NSAID use, polyps, or colorectal cancer, but it lacks the specificity and sensitivity to be a reliable tumor marker. Elevated results warrant further diagnostic evaluation, not a cancer diagnosis alone.

A worrying fecal calprotectin level is generally above 200 µg/g, which strongly suggests significant intestinal inflammation such as active inflammatory bowel disease. Levels 50–200 µg/g are borderline and warrant repeat testing or clinical correlation; <50 µg/g is usually normal. Very high values (for example >500 µg/g) indicate severe inflammation and need prompt gastroenterology assessment and further investigations like colonoscopy.

Fecal calprotectin is used to detect intestinal inflammation. Typical cutoffs: <50 µg/g — normal (IBD unlikely); 50–200 µg/g — borderline/possible mild inflammation; >200–250 µg/g — suggests active inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s and warrants further evaluation. Values must be interpreted with symptoms and imaging/endoscopy, as calprotectin alone doesn’t provide a definitive diagnosis.

Food alone usually does not cause a significant rise in fecal calprotectin. Elevated calprotectin most often indicates intestinal inflammation from causes such as IBD, infection, certain medications (eg, NSAIDs) or bowel pathology. Acute dietary triggers may provoke symptoms but rarely markedly increase calprotectin. If levels are high, discuss further testing and medication review with your clinician.

High fecal calprotectin indicates intestinal inflammation; treatment targets the underlying cause. Repeat testing and diagnostic evaluation (often including colonoscopy) confirm IBD or infection. Management can include stopping offending drugs, treating infections, and IBD therapies such as aminosalicylates, steroids for flares, immunomodulators, or biologics. Monitor symptoms and calprotectin to assess response and adjust therapy in consultation with a gastroenterologist.