Faecal Calprotectin Test

A Faecal Calprotectin Test is a test designed to detect calprotectin. Calprotectin is a protein which is secreted by the gut when it is inflamed. Calprotectin can be detected in the poo making it a useful marker for inflammatory bowel disease.

Calprotectin is secreted by the gut when it is inflamed, such as in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis). The test can be used to test for active inflammation at the time of the test, and if positive then we can conduct further tests to understand the source.

A Faecal Calprotectin test is a non-invasive test and quickly resulted. However, Calprotectin is very sensitive and sometimes falsely raised. If this test is raised you may be asked to repeat this, or further investigations may be arranged for your IBD.

We will be unable to understand and further diagnose and test bowl illnesses. 

There is no alternative to a faecal calprotectin test to easily check for elevated calprotectin levels.

To take a sample, you need to collect a container. You will be given a thin sample container with a green top in a plastic sealable bag as seen below.

This can be collected at various clinics in the outpatient department Monday to Friday 10:00–1600. This is on the 1st floor of University College Hospital (235 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BU).

Please ask the main reception which clinic you should collect the pot from on the day.

We want to involve you in all the decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to go ahead with the test, we must ask for your consent to process the test results and inform you of the outcome. If you are unsure about any aspect of your test, please do not hesitate to speak with a senior member of staff again.

Step 1 – Preparing the container 

• When you are given the container, it will be given to you in a green plastic bag as seen here. 

  

• Remove the container from the plastic bag, making sure to not write anything on the container label.

  

Step 2 – Catching the stool (poo) sample 

• It is important that the bowel motion you collect your stool sample from has not been in the toilet water, as this may affect the result. Suggested ways to catch the poo sample are:
  • Folded pieces of toilet paper in the toilet pan
  • A clean disposable container in the toilet pan

Step 3 – Taking a sample of your stool (poo) with the swab 

• Unscrew the top of the sample tube anticlockwise, remove the stick and scrape the end of the stick along the stool (poo). Only a very small amount of the stool (poo) is needed on the stick.

  

Step 4 – Closing and sealing the container 

• Replace the sample stick back into the tube. Make sure that the tube clicks closed and place it in the plastic bag. Do not write anything on the container. 

• Wash your hands thoroughly.

   

  

• On returning to the hospital, go to the outpatient clinic, located on Floor One in the Podium. Ask staff to print out a label for the test that has been requested, giving your name and hospital number. You will be printed a barcode sticker, attach this to the tube your sample is in.

  

• Remove the container from the plastic bag and apply the sticker that says “Green Top Faecal Tube” to the sample container as seen below, making sure that there is no other writing on the sample container.

  

• Re-insert the sample container in the plastic bag with the sticker, and hand in the sample. You can then drop this pot with sample off in the sluice room (near clinic G) between 10:00–16:00. Please ensure the label is stuck on the sample pot, if this is not done it will not be processed.