Test Code FCAL Fecal Calprotectin

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Stool

Preferred Specimen: Stool Container, no preservative

Other Acceptable specimens: Sterile container, no preservative

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature	Stability
Room temperature (20 - 25°C)	3 days
Refrigerated (2 - 8°C)	6 days
Frozen (-20°C)	2 months

Collection Instructions

Collect stool samples into plain tubes, or cups and store them refrigerated at 2-8 C until ready for transport to the laboratory. Do not store samples at elevated temperatures.

Note: No chemical or biological additives should be added to the sample.

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. Specimens must be received within 3 days of collection. If transport is delayed, specimens may be stored refrigerated for up to 6 days.

Rejection Criteria

Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
Frozen or heated specimens will be rejected
Quantity not sufficient specimens are not suitable for testing and will be rejected

Reference Values

Reference Range
Interpretation	Fecal Calprotectin
Normal	< 80 mcg/g
Borderline	80 – 160 mcg/g
Elevated	> 160 mcg/g

Critical Values

Not applicable

Clinical Indications

Calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein found in neutrophilic granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages, comprises up to 60% of the total cytosolic protein content in neutrophils, resists metabolic degradation, and can be measured in feces.

Elevated concentrations of fecal calprotectin may be useful in distinguishing IBD from functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome. When used for this differential diagnosis, fecal calprotectin has sensitivity and specificity both of approximately 85%. However, increases in fecal calprotectin are not diagnostic for IBD, as other disorders such as celiac disease, colorectal cancer, and gastrointestinal infections, may also be associated with neutrophilic inflammation.

Test Components

Fecal Calprotectin

CPT Codes

83993

LOINC Codes

TBD

Methodology

Roche Diagnostics Particle‑Enhanced Turbidimetric Immunoassay (PETIA), reagent manufactured by BUHLMANN

Additional Information

Limitations:

- Test results should be interpreted in conjunction with information available from clinical assessment of the patient and other diagnostic procedures.
- False negative results could occur in patients who have granulocytopenia due to bone marrow depression.
- Some patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) will have elevations in their fecal calprotectin levels.
- Results may not be clinically applicable to children less than 4 years of age who have mildly increased fecal calprotectin levels.
- Patients with IBD fluctuate between active (inflammatory) and inactive stages of the disease. These stages must be considered when interpreting results of the fecal calprotectin assay.

Volume

Preferred Volume: 1 gram

Minimum Volume: 100 mg

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.

STAT Turnaround Time: Not Available

Routine Turnaround Time: 2 - 3 days

Testing Schedule: Batch testing once per day, Monday - Friday (evenings)

Synonyms/Search Keywords