IBD Diagnosis and Faecal Cal Protectin test
Hey! I’m new here and just wondered if anyone has had an IBD diagnosis with a negative Faecal Cal Protectin result? I have a history of bowel problems stretching over the past 15 years with numerous sigmoidoscopys, transit studies and colonoscopies showing slightly abnormal signs but the flare ups have always died down once any biopsy is taken and and come back ‘normal’. I have recently been told if this result comes back negative, I should stop chasing a diagnosis.
Has anyone had this before?
Hi
. I can't personally speak to this, but it is possible to have IBD and a normal calprotectin. False-negatives are possible, usually due to low-inflammation/disease activity at the time of the test or inflammation located in the upper part of the GI tract. This is one of the reasons that the diagnostic process can actually be pretty complex. This article from our editorial team gives an overview: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/diagnosis. If the timing of the testing is an issue, the only thing I can think of is to potential go to some sort of urgent care or getting tested during a flare. Hopefully others will have some thoughts. Hoping you can get some answers and relief soon and please feel free to keep us posted on how you are doing. Best, Richard (Team Member)
