Calprotectin, Stool — Mass Concentration
A stool test that measures calprotectin, a protein released by white blood cells in the intestine, to help assess intestinal inflammation.
["Elevated stool calprotectin may indicate inflammation in the digestive tract, including conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 82874-9
- Short code
- Calprotectin Stl-mCnc
- Synonyms
- Calprotectin Stl-mCnc
- Category
- liver
- Sample
- stool
- Container
- Clean container
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 44
- Ref high
- 147
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 84075
- SNOMED
- 27550007
- Specimen volume
- 5 g
- Stability
- Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
Stool calprotectin measures the amount of calprotectin in a sample of bowel movements. Calprotectin is released by immune cells in the intestine and can rise when intestinal inflammation is present.
Why might I need this test?
This test may be used to evaluate unexplained digestive symptoms, such as ongoing diarrhea, abdominal pain, or blood in the stool. It can also help distinguish inflammatory bowel disease from functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and may be used to monitor treatment.
How is the test performed?
You collect a small stool sample at home or in a clinic and return it in the container provided by the laboratory. The laboratory uses a laboratory assay to measure the calprotectin concentration in the sample.
How do I prepare for the test?
Follow the laboratory's collection instructions, and tell the healthcare provider if you have taken antibiotics recently or currently have a gastrointestinal infection, as these can affect the result. No special diet is usually required.
Reference range
Adult: 44-147 U/LN/A
No special preparation required. Avoid fatty meals before the test if possible.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
An elevated result may reflect inflammation anywhere in the digestive tract, including inflammatory bowel disease, infection, or other causes. A result that is not elevated makes significant intestinal inflammation less likely. The result should be interpreted with symptoms, medical history, and other testing because it is not specific to one condition.
Short name
Stool calprotectin
Frequently asked questions
Does a high stool calprotectin result mean I have inflammatory bowel disease?
Is stool calprotectin the same as a stool culture?
Can antibiotics affect the stool calprotectin result?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy