Any Drs. out there can help me sorry but stools related.

[Anotherworrier]

sorry, I’m posting here for traffic.

I’ve been having loose stools for weeks. I went to the doctor who ordered stool tests for calprotectin and infections (no test for blood in stool). Calprotectin has come back at 49, cut off line for normal is 49.9 so very borderline .9 more and it would be elevated.

My issue is when I did the test I had an extremely rare not loose stool - I thought ‘oh typical they’ve gone back to normal but I’ll do it anyway’ but they haven’t got back to normal and are still loose.

Considering the result was so close to being elevated should I do the test again with my usual loose stool?

I’m very anxious and scared so please be kind. Scared of cancer really.

Anyone 🙏

Go back to the GP and tell them what you told us

Calprotectin measures the white cells present in your bowels. High levels indicate an infection. 49 is completely normal. The stool, whether hard or soft on the day of the test would be totally irrelevant. Worst case you're suffering some kind of IBS, or a mild food intolerance/irritation. Even menopause or stress can cause an upset to the stomach. A score of 49 is totally nothing to be worrying about, its not like a test you take and if its 10% out of range you have to be concerned. My calprotectin was stuck at over 1800 (the cut off point the lab can measure up to) for over a year due to IBD ulcerative colitis. I'm not saying I was a healthy human being during that time, but I wasn't seriously ill for the whole time (when you think about just how out of range that result is haha). Try some Kefir yoghurt to balance your guts biomae.

Are you suffering any pain at all?!

I'd wait 2 months and then ask to retake the test if the loose stools persist. Perhaps ask for a blood test too, just to set your mind further at ease.

Start a food diary. It could be something you least expect. For me it was Diet Coke. I'd had it for a decade no problems. Then suddenly problems.

Lots of posts on here about ibs. Eat bland stuff for at least three days until you're stool is ok. ie boiled white rice and roast chicken. No veg. No coffee. No fizzy drinks.

Then reintroduce one thing every four days. If all ok introduce another thing. You will find out what's triggering your bit it takes a while and is very boring. You can't cheat.

Was chatting to my bowel surgeon about calprotectin levels, and he says it's frustrating when GPs refer Patients who are like 60, 80 type of figures, as it's only really an issue when it's in the thousands.

How old are you? If you’re in the UK you’re entitled to a bowel screening kit at a certain age (not sure if it’s different in the various nations).

You can buy a blood in stool test kit from pharmacies. Don’t think very expensive.

Calprotectin looks for indication of IBD, so crohn's, ulcerative colitis etc - not cancer. IBD tends to involve unmissable bloodloss. They do a separate faecal test for non-visible blood, were that to come back positive they'd put you in for a colonoscopy of some sort to check for polyps etc. Possibly a ultrasound. But you've got to meet the requirements which, atm, you don't - so that's a good thing!

You need to start tracking what you eat.

Have you had blood tests?
What colour is your poo?
Any mucus?
Any discomfort?

I'm not a Dr! Just an obsessive health anxiety riddled idiot who's gone through all this over the last year. Looks like my issues could be a combo of IBS (from stress) & confirmed gallstones.

IBS is so often triggered by anxiety and stress, even if you don’t consciously feel stressed. My sister has had endoscopies, colonoscopy, pelvic ultrasound and every blood and poo test available and they’ve found nothing. She was never more ill than when worrying about it. Much better now she knows it’s just a cranky digestive system. Hope you’re the same.

Thank you so much. I’m fine now, I think it’s IBS triggered by stress/anxiety.

Calprotectin can indeed be an indicator for cancer.

In a manner but a FIT is used first if cancer is suspected, not calprotectin. Calprotectin is currently used to pick up inflammation etc to look at IBD.

I'm glad you're feeling better but that was hella snarky when I was just trying to help 🤷🏼‍♀️