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Hi I’ve been ill for years with ibs and now I have a calprotectin level of 338. I’ve aquired a very bad pain where my appendix is for a few weeks but a&e have not found any appendix issues.
My GI says it’s not crohns as I don’t have loose stools only severe constipation.
Can calprotectin readings be false ? My mum has crohns
0 likes, 7 replies
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chantal_65714
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craig84609 chantal_65714
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In short, Yes. They can be wrong. Just because it is high doesn't mean you have Crohn's disease. I have it and my level was very low, despite my doctor checking via scope and telling me I have severe bowel disease. The only way to know for sure is to have a colonoscopy done and biopsy samples taken to check for it. If it is bad enough they can tell by looking at it like in my case. My colon looked like ground beef that was bleeding. So it is a useful test, but it is only one tool they use to make a diagnosis and even though your mom has Crohn's it doesn't mean that you are likely to have it. From what I read the chance is very low. I am the only one in a large family tree that has bowel disease, so keep your fingers crossed that you don't have it. It is a rotten disease to have and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, if I had one. You will probably need more testing to figure out what is wrong and hopefully it isn't anything bad. I hope your mom is doing well, I know how hard this disease can be for someone to deal with. i wish you both well and feel free to ask me anything you would like to know about it and I will do my best to help. Take Care.
chantal_65714 craig84609
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craig84609 chantal_65714
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You have about a 10% chance of getting a genetic hand down of IBD, so not too high. Did you have a colonoscopy? If so what did the terminal ilium look like? That is where Crohn's tends to set up shop first. It is rare for it to develop in other areas but not unlikely. I had symptoms in my esophagus as a young man. I hope you don't have it and you feel better soon
chantal_65714 craig84609
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jody49335 chantal_65714
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UKMattG chantal_65714
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Reading through - I was about to suggest a capsule endoscopy. The pill will get to areas that an endoscopy and colonoscopy can't. It's possible they'll see something there and nowhere else. Crohn's can be highly localised in terms of ulceration (perhaps colitis too but I don't know so much there). It's non obtrusive like a colonoscopy - say you'd like one to be sure, and if they're that concern about it being a genetic likelihood, I'm sure they'll go for it.
?The only other 'likely' reason for high calprotectin (other than IBD) is an infection. Although my consultant at one point said it could be 'non specific' inflammation before later diagnosing Crohn's. I think non specific inflammation is a "I don't really know what it is" catch-all.