Calprotectin level 140 does this mean bowel cancer

[kimedge]

Hi im just wondering for some advice, ive been suffering with my bowel and stimach pains for about 6 months going the toilet at least 3 times a day too. The doctor did a calprotectin stool sample and it came back at 140 im not too sure what this means does this mean bowel cancer or something different full blood count is normal. Tia

[bantam12]

No it doesn't mean it's cancer, it means there's inflammation which can be for various reasons, if you have symptoms then a colonoscopy would be the ideal test.

[kimedge in reply to bantam12]

Would you class this as a high level? Ive googled is which i know you shouldn't but its say colectrol cancer etc. Would my blood be abmormal if i had something like this going on too. Tia

[bantam12 in reply to kimedge]

My last one was 170, I have ulcerative colitis so inflammation is expected.

[Stubbsie in reply to kimedge]

Hi my calprotectin level was 325 in December last year, test redone in March 2020 and it was 758, I am having tests for IBD

[Valbaty54]

Calprotectin level is related to inflammation, as stated in your other answer. This can be due to a short-term infection or a longer-term condition like IBD. I have ulcerative colitis and my calprotectin levels have varied between 50 (0 - 50 is regarded as normal) and 4,000 (very high!). 50 - 200 is fairly mild inflammation so you're not too bad at the moment. A colonoscopy would reveal more so be prepared!

[kimedge in reply to Valbaty54]

Hi yes i know i wanted to know weather or not it meant cancer off the bowel or not? And be prepared? For what something really bad l. Tia

[Jacko37]

I really wouldn't worry at the moment, are you due to see or speak to your doctor about the result? My calpotrectin was over 600 in March and I was referred for an urgent colonoscopy which turned out to be normal. Biopsies were taken which showed inflamation but doctor was sure wasn't colitis. Just had another calpotrectin and the level is back to under 50. Symptoms started end of Feb and only really got better the last 5 weeks so lasted for around 7 months! Consultant doesn't know what it was, could have been an infection or something. Main thing is that whatever it was has now resolved (hope it stays that way). Calpotrectin can be high for lots of different reasons, your doctor will probably repeat the test in a few weeks and then refer you if the level is still high. Take care, X

[kimedge in reply to Jacko37]

Hi

Ive spoken to the doctor and they have said that they are referring me to gastroenterology but wouldnt hear for a few months off them, i asked if she would be repeating the test and she said no ive had fbc and fit test they came back normal. Im petrified that its bowel cancer as ive read it could mean this. I also have gallbladder stones and its inflamed and having surgery tomorrow. Im so scared i aslways have low abdominal pain amd go the toilet alot more. Do you know what the level would be for bowel cancer or is it more a imflamation that would be going on? Tia x

[Viklou in reply to kimedge]

If they thought it was bowel cancer you would of had a two week referral xxx

[kimedge in reply to Viklou]

Hi viklou

Would you say its more inflammation as my other test are normal blood count and a fit test. Tia xx

[Viklou in reply to kimedge]

Yes mild inflammation

[Jacko37 in reply to kimedge]

If your gp suspected cancer they would have made an urgent referral and you would have been seen within 2 weeks. I did exactly the same back in March and googled because I had never heard of calpotrectin and saw that cancer could be a reason for it, started to imagine all sorts of symptoms. Your level is raised but I've seen some posts and the levels have been much, much higher. Just a though, could be raised because of your gallbladder, just concentrate on that for now and if your symptoms get worse or you develop new symptoms go back and see your gp. With me I was going to the toilet 15 or more times a day and the pain was so bad at one point I could hardly sit down! Good luck for tomorrow and keep us updated, Xx

[kimedge in reply to Jacko37]

I know its all full i did the same thing googled it and its obviously came up with bowel camcer and its sacred the life out me so much im convinced ive got it, and cant find any reassurance. Can i ask what your symptoms are please? And what did they find? Tia xxx

[Jacko37 in reply to kimedge]

Hope all went ok with your operation. My symptoms were watery diarrhoea up to 15 times a day with stomach cramps and nausea, had this for a round 9 weeks. Then I had really bad rectal pain and felt like I wanted to go to the toilet all the time but couldn't. Then it went back to diarrhoea but only 3 or 4 times a day and that went on for 3 months. Last 5 weeks I've been ok. Hope it stays that way. I'm convinced that I had Clovis back in March but I've got no way to prove it. I'm also Coeliac (20 years) and this is how I was before being diagnosed. Would have symptoms for 6 weeks or so, then I would be ok for a while and then the symptoms would come back until in the end it just got worse and worse until I ended up in hospital for 3 months! Take care, Xx

[mondlee6248 in reply to Jacko37]

So actually what happen to you? Do you still diarrhoea so many times a day??

[Jacko37 in reply to mondlee6248]

No, since October I've been fine. Really strang how it lasted for so long, still convinced that it was the coronavirus with me. How are you now, did you manage to speak to your doctor? Hope everything went ok with your operation, take care

[jackdup]

My Calpotrectin was 330 in August. The gastroenterologist said that below 200 they are not really concerned but over 200 means my Crohns is active and should be treated. For my very limited understanding of gallstones that could certainly account for you pain. Perhaps they will see how much difference you have after operation tomorrow.

[kimedge in reply to jackdup]

Yes i get pain sometimes right up my right boob which is gallbladder related but i seem to always have pain in lower abdomen and back, my bowels habbits habe changed inused to go once a day where now i go 3 but always feel like pressure like i need to go all the time two. Tia xx

[mondlee6248 in reply to kimedge]

Hi kimedge currently how are you after your operation on ur gallbladder, does this operation solve all your issues

[kimedge in reply to mondlee6248]

Hi im fully recovered from my operation now, the pain has gone in the top off my stomach, but still have pain in lower abdomen and when ive bin to the toliet it hurts more. Gettinf myself all worked up thinking i have bowel cancer now. I did have an abdominal x ray a few weeks back as had problems after the op but they didnt say anything x

[mondlee6248 in reply to kimedge]

So will you go for a scope, but besides pain in the lower abdomen, you didn’t have any issues like bowel change or bleed right

[kimedge in reply to mondlee6248]

I have been going to the toliet more for months and had a few bits off fresh blood when ive wiped but its the being in pain constantly. Ive had a letter saying im see the gastroentrrgist team but when i do not know

[mondlee6248 in reply to kimedge]

It should be haemorrhoids

[jackdup]

I don’t know a lot about gallstones but do know they can certainly cause pain and other issues. I would give yourself a week or two after your operation and assess things after that. If all it did was fix the pain and the frequency is not back to normal then you can have the colonoscopy and see if anything is found. If your blood work was normal it would seem your CRP is not elevated which is also an indication of inflammation. Are things normal when you go to the bathroom, just the frequency is a concern, or are they not normal?