What are they looking for?

Hi guys, I’m new to this site.

I’m 34 yrs old, male, smoker and part time drinker!

Recently had a routine blood test for my underactive thyroid, all came back ok except for b12 levels of 100, which is low. Had a calprotectin fecal test, came back as 268. Doctor advised to speak with consultant in the gastro unit. Explained symptoms, minor pain in stomach, tired, blood on wiping, sometimes diarrhea then constipation, metal taste in mouth and mouth sores(prob from lack of b12)

They now want me to have endoscopy and colonoscopy aswell as ct scan on urgent appointments. It has made me really worried as to what they are looking for.

I asked the dr if he thought it was cancer and he said unlikely.

I’ve been out of my mind worrying about a cancer diagnosis, has anyone had any thing similar that might help relieve some of my panic. Or just anything related to the topic.

Thanks

[Valbaty54]

Your calprotectin is raised (though it can go into the thousands) and this usually indicates inflammation. They are likely to be thinking of an IBD diagnosis - Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, hence the cameras from either end and a scan for the middle bit cameras can't reach. Your other symptoms seem to tie in with this. So, after all the investigations, you should know more. In the meantime, don't panic! Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Valbaty54]

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Is it a reason for an urgent test

[Valbaty54 in reply to Hidden]

I would guess that anyone with some bleeding needs an urgent check to find out why.

[SuzyQ67 in reply to Valbaty54]

I think it's great your dr is being proactive. Scopes are done to rule out a variety of issues. The bleeding can also be caused by internal hemmies. Good luck with your testing.

[Hidden in reply to SuzyQ67]

Booked in for ct scan on Tuesday now, no sign of the endoscopy and colonoscopy booking yet. Just wondering if there doing the ct scan to see if I need the other two? Or if it’s just the way things are done

[Linzdjh08 in reply to Hidden]

its the way its done ! i had ct then endo and colonoscopy weeks later! if you have a calprotectin over 100 they usually want to investigate further a normal read is around 50! i had similar symptoms to you they where checking for ibd! i was 2000 on my first poop sample now im over 800 had all my tests all clear! back in april for another poop test ! they are telling me ibs and i dont believe it is!

good luck,breathe and just take it day by day at least they are on the ball !

[Hidden in reply to Linzdjh08]

Thanks a lot, I’m feeling calmer now lol

[Hidden in reply to Valbaty54]

Ok so I had a bi directional endoscopy today, got sedated, didn’t really feel a thing so the sedatives worked, both came back as normal and said it doesn’t look like bowel cancer. No mention of ibd on the paperwork, however they did take some biopsy’s so will just have to wait and hope everything comes back normal! Thanks for all the help guys! This is a great group.