IBS or IBD??

[ST87]

Hi all, I’ve had certain IBS symptoms for a few months now (D when eating spicy food etc) but recently got worse so went for tests, bloods all normal but returned a calprotectin level of 140, is this relatively normal?

[PinkMama83]

Hi, yes that is slightly above normal but still very low compared to the results that people with IBD have. Mine are always closer to 1000.

[ST87]

Thank you! I’ve seen some extremely high levels on here so not overly worried but it is above the tolerance so was a bit concerned to start with! I’ve got no other IBD symptoms or red flags for anything else and all symptoms point to IBS, I’m also on PPI’s for acid reflux which I’ve read can raise calprotectin levels?!

[bresbo in reply to ST87]

My very first exposure to PPIs sent me from years of mild untreated UC into my first (and since then worst) UC flare ever. And the consequence was that my UC has to be treated. I subsequently learned that PPIs can induce colitis. Personally I wouldn't go anywhere near them.

I also suffer from reflux and have found there are two ways to deal with it. The version of Gaviscon (or the cheaper generics) that contain just calcium carbonate, sodium alginate and sodium bicarbonate works very well for the one-off case. But if I find myself getting reflux all the time, then I add daily slippery elm powder and marsh mallow root powder mixed with warm water into a kind of thick drink.