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Posted 8/1/2012 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
I noticed this testing stool for calprotectin was being done in several clinical trials to index IBD inflamation, including the recently published trial of Vedolizumab. On reading up on it I noticed the uses were to 1) diagnose IBD w/o scoping, 2) track response to treatment, and 3) distinguish IBD from IBS.

I wondered if this was now starting to be used in clinical practice. Has anyone here had their GI order this test?
Posted 8/1/2012 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
We discussed this test at some length with my daughter's GI (my daughter is not diagnosed with anything except GERD). My daughter has passed blood in her stool consistently for almost 6 months, but her GI will not order this test. These are her reasons (with which I do not agree, BTW):

1 - she will want to scope my daughter no matter the result of the test
2 - the testing is very expensive and most insurance companies will not cover it

So eventually she will probably recommend that my daughter have a colonoscopy.

I do believe some people on this forum and the Crohn's forum have had fecal calprotectin testing done. IMO it's a good way to confirm or reject the hypothesis of active flaring w/o the need for scopes. The research I've seen shows that it is more than 90% accurate in identifying bowel inflammation.
Posted 8/2/2012 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

my son had his stool sample tested for calprotectin levels at his last GI visit. We are in Scotland and it was explained to us that it that it was a relatively new procedure. It is perfect for the young ones as they have to be put to sleep for the internal examination.

My son had been doing great since we got him on salofalk foam ( discovered on here) and they instructed us to reduce his oral pentasa, however the calprotectin readings came back which said he still had a high inflammatory count, so the oral doseage was reinstated at the previous level.

I dont think it will ever replace a colonoscopy for the best  examination, but this is something that can be done for every GI visit. Thus giving us a better picture of whats going on continuously throughout the year, and of course it can cut down a bit on the internal exams.

 

Posted 8/2/2012 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
My GI has ordered it twice in the last few months along with a C-Reactive Protein blood test to find out how my flare/inflammation is doing with various drugs I have been on. I can tell ya - a little blood draw and pooping in a cup is a lot easier than the prep and recovery of a colonoscopy!
Posted 8/2/2012 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Doesn't appear this is available in the USA. I got redirected to another site. www.gdx.net/
Posted 8/3/2012 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
It's available in the US...I've used Quest Diagnostics several times to get an idea of calprotectin inflammation levels (and it was covered by insurance...but GI didn't use the UC dx code because it's considered "experimental" for UC).

I was not 100% sure how to read results, especially when they are borderline, but it was a good way to see how I was progressing at the time.
Posted 8/3/2012 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
I am covered 100% at QuestDiagnostics, but I wonder if there would be a problem with a Dx of UC instead of Crohns.

Mostly I want to track between scopings the benefit of various diet mods and supplements and ongoing effects of 5asa. The only way I will truly know how far into the left/sigmoid colon the Lialda is reaching will be with scoping every 1.5 or 2 years. Had my first rescoping 18mo after diagnosed from 1st one.

I think I will talk with my GI about getting it every 3 months.
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