High levels of faecal calcoprotein
Hi everyone,
I just want to see if someone has been on my situation. Basically my sister has been confronting with serious abdominal pain, vomiting and other bowel symptoms related, including severe bloating. We have ruled out any kidney or ovaries issues. She has done the faecal calcoprotein test (I’m not sure if I’ve spelled it right) and initially it can at 2015 and suggested that she might have a GI inflammation but it should also be considered other causes such infection and even cancer. Yet, the gp repeated the test and said that after only a week she has actually a 90 value and not 2015. The symptoms are still going and we found ourselves in a situation in which we really don’t know what to do. The gp said that he presumes that she might have had an infection, but she will still be referred to a gastroenterologist for further investigations, yet he cannot confirm how long she has to wait for it. If someone has been through a similar situation or any type of advise it’s much appreciated.
Sorry she is going through all this but many of us can relate. Sometimes there is a long wait to get a GI appointment because it's a specialist appointment.
How often is she vomiting? If it's a lot or if she is in a tremendous amount of pain, then she might want to head to your local emergency department and they might give you a proper diagnosis, as well as the possibility of affecting her kidneys which happened to me.
A low calprotectin is usually a sign of a non-inflammatory bowel disorder like IBS, but to me, 90 would be a "high" low because anything over 120 would indicate inflammation. Below 50 would be considered low.
Has the doctor done blood work to check for inflammatory markers and has there been any blood in her stool?
Let us know how you get on.
Vern - IBD Team MemberHi, thank you for your answer. Yes she is vomiting quite a lot and quite often I would say. She has been sent to the emergency department but they couldn’t find anything, as they were searching for any issues regarding her ovaries or kidneys. She’s all clear with that. She did have blood in her stool and I presume that’s why they’ve done the test. At first she had 2015 and the next week she had 97, we just got the results. They’ve made an appointment but we’re waiting to see when. I was wondering about the blood mainly the amount when she goes to the bathroom. If it was a lot, like the bowl was filled, then I think it would point more to IBD.
I'm sorry she has to wait so long and I feel her pain and frustration. Has she tried anything for the bloating? I have had to eliminate gas-producing foods to alleviate most of the bloating problems.
When I first got sick I started a food journal and kept track of everything I ate and drank, when I did and the results after (bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc) as well as how soon after eating or drinking.
My guess when she has the GI appointment, she will need to go for a colonoscopy.
Vern
Hi, probably will be the case. Honestly, I am not sure about the blood, as I haven't asked her about it as much. Thank you for the suggestion, I will ask her to keep a record as well to see what's going on. The bloating started to change, like it looks like it is not that bad anymore, at least for this week. Thank you again for the message and I hope you and your family are safe and healthy
how did it all go? Really hoping your sister has been seen now 🤞
- Sahara (team member)
Keep us up to date on how she is doing. We all can relate and thank you, I hope you and yours keep safe and healthy as well.
Vern - IBD Team Member
