What is the process of a Calprotectin stool test?
To take a calprotectin stool test your doctor will ask you to provide a sample of your stool. The consistency of your stool will not affect the result of the test.
If needed, your doctor will instruct you to eliminate certain substances from your body before the test. This may require days or weeks. These substances include:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Nicotine products
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [8]
A sterile container from the laboratory will be given to you to collect your sample. Your doctor will instruct you to ensure your poop does not touch any surface other than the container given. It is also important that water or urine does not touch your sample. This is to ensure that your test results are accurate.
Your stool sample will be taken to the laboratory for examination. Where the Calprotectin level in it will be measured. Your results shouldn’t take long to come out, depending on the laboratory used, your results may take at most a week.