Measure calprotectin levels to help assess intestinal inflammation.
The fecal calprotectin test is a stool test that measures a protein called calprotectin. This protein is released by certain white blood cells when there is inflammation in the intestines. This test is sometimes used to help tell the difference between Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or other causes of digestive symptoms, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
This test does not diagnose IBD or any gastrointestinal or digestive condition; however, results show whether intestinal inflammation was detected. This information should be considered alongside any symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, or changes in bowel habits. Results should be reviewed with a healthcare provider, who can interpret them in the context of your overall health.
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Preparation: No special preparation is needed before taking this test. You will need to make two appointments, one to pick up the stool collection container and one to drop off the sample at a Labcorp Patient Service Center location. It is recommended to drop off the sample the same day it is collected. See FAQ’s below for additional instructions on specimen collection and handling.
A protein released by inflammatory cells found in stool that increases when there is inflammation in the intestines. It helps tell the difference between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, and other causes of digestive symptoms, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Higher levels of inflammation are not unique to IBD and may have other causes like infections, some medications, or other sources of inflammation.
Digestive issues like abdominal discomfort or change in bowel habits may suggest inflammation in the intestines or other GI conditions. A fecal calprotectin test may help you understand whether inflammation may be a factor, offering insight to guide discussions with your provider. This result is one piece of information and must be considered along with your symptoms and medical history.
Symptoms aren’t always clear, and many people want peace of mind when exploring their gut health. Measuring calprotectin fecal levels may provide additional insight into what’s happening inside your digestive system as part of a proactive wellness approach.
Tracking results over time may be used to help monitor changes in inflammation levels. When reviewed with your provider, repeated testing can help establish a broader understanding of how lifestyle, diet, or health factors influence gut inflammation.
1. MedlinePlus. Calprotectin Stool Test. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed June 2, 2026. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/calprotectin-stool-test/
2. Labcorp. Calprotectin, Fecal. Accessed June 2, 2026. https://www.labcorp.com/tests/123255/calprotectin-fecal
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ulcerative Colitis Basics. Accessed June 2, 2026. Published June 21, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/about/ulcerative-colitis-uc-basics.html
4. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). Confusing or Ambiguous Upper Gut Symptoms. Accessed June 2, 2026. https://iffgd.org/gi-disorders/symptoms-causes/confusing-or-ambiguous-upper-gut-symptoms/
<p>1. MedlinePlus. Calprotectin Stool Test. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed June 2, 2026. <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/calprotectin-stool-test/" target="_blank" title="calprotectin-stool-test" aria-label="calprotectin-stool-test">https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/calprotectin-stool-test/</a></p> <p>2. Labcorp. Calprotectin, Fecal. Accessed June 2, 2026. <a href="https://www.labcorp.com/tests/123255/calprotectin-fecal" target="_blank" title="calprotectin-fecal" aria-label="calprotectin-fecal">https://www.labcorp.com/tests/123255/calprotectin-fecal</a></p> <p>3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ulcerative Colitis Basics. Accessed June 2, 2026. Published June 21, 2024. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/about/ulcerative-colitis-uc-basics.html" target="_blank" title="colitis-uc-basics" aria-label="colitis-uc-basics">https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/about/ulcerative-colitis-uc-basics.html</a></p> <p>4. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). Confusing or Ambiguous Upper Gut Symptoms. Accessed June 2, 2026. <a href="https://iffgd.org/gi-disorders/symptoms-causes/confusing-or-ambiguous-upper-gut-symptoms/" target="_blank" title="upper-gut-symptoms" aria-label="upper-gut-symptoms">https://iffgd.org/gi-disorders/symptoms-causes/confusing-or-ambiguous-upper-gut-symptoms/</a></p>
Simply purchase this test online. A healthcare provider will review and approve your test requests; no healthcare provider visit is required.
Visit a Labcorp location near you to pick up your sample collection cup. Visits may be scheduled online.
At home, collect your stool sample and return it same day to a Labcorp location near you. Visits may be scheduled online.
View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp Patient™ account, including Linked Accounts. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.
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There are several ways to explore gut health, including blood tests, stool-based tests, and lifestyle assessments. A fecal calprotectin test specifically measures inflammation-related activity in the intestines and may be used alongside other clinical evaluations.1
Stool tests like the fecal calprotectin test are accurate in detecting the presence of calprotectin in stool and are used to assess inflammation in your digestive system. Having your test results can help you have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider. They can review your results along with your symptoms, health history, and other information to better understand what may be going on.
Normal ranges may vary by laboratory, but lower levels are generally associated with lower intestinal inflammation.2 Your test result will show your overall level of calprotectin and provide additional information on what that level may mean.
A higher level of calprotectin may be associated with increased inflammation in the digestive tract lining.1 A high level does not confirm a diagnosis of a specific condition such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but may indicate that further evaluation by a healthcare provider is needed.
Factors other than intestinal inflammation can raise calprotectin stool levels. These can include taking certain medications like Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), recent infections, or other digestive conditions like colitis or diverticular disease. Some people with untreated celiac disease may also have higher levels.
Results can vary based on timing and individual health. For example, levels may change during periods when digestive symptoms are more active or less active. In rare cases, certain blood conditions may affect results.2
Because many different factors can affect fecal calprotectin, you should discuss your results with your healthcare provider. They can review your results along with your symptoms, health history, and other tests to get a more complete picture of your health.
Ulcerative colitis is a condition that causes irritation and swelling in the lining of the large intestine and is the most common type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).3
Common warning signs may include ongoing diarrhea, stomach pain, a feeling of needing to use the bathroom often, tiredness, or changes in appetite. These symptoms can also occur with other digestive issues, so their presence doesn’t point to one specific cause.
A fecal calprotectin test helps provide insight into inflammation in the gut, and you should discuss your test results with your healthcare provider who can evaluate your results along with your symptoms and health history to better understand what may be going on.
Digestive symptoms can have many causes and are not specific to one condition. Symptoms that may prompt evaluation include:
These symptoms can have many possible causes, which is why they’re best discussed with a healthcare provider. A fecal calprotectin test may provide insight into inflammation in the gut, helping you have a more informed conversation about your digestive health with your healthcare provider.
After purchasing your test, visit a Labcorp Patient Service Center to pick up your stool collection container. A Labcorp team member will provide the container and instructions before you collect your sample at home.
Collect your stool sample at home using the container provided. Once collected, tightly close the container. Write your name, date of birth, and collection time on the collection cup label. Place it inside the resealable plastic bag. If you are not returning the sample to Labcorp immediately after collection, you can store the sealed container in the freezer until you are ready to drop it off. Freezing helps maintain the sample’s integrity before it is processed.
For the best experience, plan to collect your sample on the same day you are scheduled to drop it off. Return your sample to a Labcorp Patient Service Center on the same day it is collected, whenever possible. Visits may be scheduled online.
Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.
Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order. If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.
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Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.
To align with clinical best practices, we’ve set an age maximum of 100 for consumer-initiated testing. This limit was set to encourage individuals in more advanced age groups - who may have complex medical needs - to receive personalized guidance about testing from their healthcare providers.
