Confused by result 🤷‍♀️

[Lindybob]

Hi just rang for my Faecal Calprotectin results and was told they were stable and to repeat in 4 weeks. Does anyone know what that means please? It’s the first time I’ve had that test done. Thank you Linda 😊

[FRreedman]

It means absolutely nothing. The Calprotectin test gives a range which indicates the probability of inflammation in the intestines, to say your range is stable does not give one iota of information. You need to know the actual reading (a number between 1 and 3000+, is the range). The lower the reading the less chance you have of having IBD as opposed to IBS or an upset tummy (gastro enteritis). I would phone back and ask what the reading was, and also, why they want you to come back and repeat the test in four weeks (The repeating the test, I don't understand at all) unless they've lost the results of mucked up the test somehow.

[willow24 Administrator in reply to FRreedman]

They repeat the test if its borderline so 100 to 200 usually.

[FRreedman in reply to willow24]

But this is a first test and they have reported it as stable - -meaningless drivel.

[willow24 Administrator in reply to FRreedman]

Stable means within normal parameters but retest means it higher end of normal. Yes explanation by dr is not great but ur comments may cause unnecessary worries. There are always times when resuts and symptoms give a grey area diagnosis. Medications for ibd are hard core and cannot be given without an almost 100% diagnosis due to their toxicity and side effects

[FRreedman in reply to willow24]

I, certainly, didn't mean to cause any unnecessary worries, and I know all about the drugs for IBD and most of their side effects, I wasn't happy with the diagnosis given as it appeared ambiguous and slapdash IMO. However, if this is common language, which is now used to describe results, I stand corrected.

[Lindybob in reply to FRreedman]

Thanks for your reply I was very confused by it to. When I rang back they thought I’d had the test done before but I said no and was told with them asking for a retest in 4 weeks it must of been borderline. To me I think when a result comes back as stable that means an ongoing condition isn’t getting worse that’s why I was confused. I’m going to make an appointment and see my GP anyway so I’ll ask then. Thanks again 😊

[Lindybob]

Just an update my GP asked to see me to discuss the results of the second calprotectin test. She said both test results came back as borderline so I need to be referred back to gastroenterology.