30 October 20269 min read

High Faecal Calprotectin: What Your Result Means

Medical Review

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD

Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 31 October 2026

High faecal calprotectin means gut inflammation, not a diagnosis. What 50, 100 and 250 µg/g mean, what raises it and what a doctor checks next.

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A high faecal calprotectin result means there is inflammation somewhere in your bowel. It is a clue, not a diagnosis. A recent gut infection, anti-inflammatory painkillers or acid tablets can raise it. So can inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. A doctor reads it with your symptoms and often repeats it.

TL;DR

Calprotectin is a protein released by white blood cells in an inflamed gut. It passes into your stool.
Many labs use 50 µg/g as the upper limit. Always read the range on your own report.
A normal result makes IBD unlikely. It fits better with a non-inflammatory problem such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Gut infections, painkillers such as ibuprofen and acid tablets such as omeprazole can raise it.
A mildly raised result is often repeated after some weeks. A high or rising result usually means a specialist and a camera test.
It is not a bowel cancer test. Bleeding, weight loss or anaemia need a doctor whatever the result.

Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).

For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.

What is faecal calprotectin?

Calprotectin is a protein made by neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. When the gut lining is inflamed, these cells move in and release it. It mixes with your stool, and a lab measures it.

MedlinePlus explains that a small amount is normal. The more inflammation, the higher the level tends to be. The test does not show where the inflammation is or what causes it.

Doctors use it mainly to tell two common problems apart. IBD inflames and damages the bowel. IBS causes pain, bloating and loose stools, but no inflammation. At first, the two can feel the same.

What is a normal faecal calprotectin level?

There is no single cut-off used everywhere. NICE notes that the most common cut-off set by test makers is 50 µg/g. Below that, a result usually counts as normal in adults.

In Spain: look for calprotectina fecal or calprotectina en heces. The unit may be µg/g or mg/kg. These give the same number.
In the UK: NHS labs report µg/g. Local NHS pathways often use bands. The Royal United Hospitals Bath pathway, for example, treats under 100 as IBD unlikely, 100 to 250 as borderline, and over 250 as a reason to act.
In the US: MedlinePlus describes results as normal or high and points you to your lab's range.

Young children have higher normal levels. Lab Tests Online UK says the normal range may be higher under the age of 4. A doctor reads a child's result with their age in mind.

What can cause a high calprotectin result?

Anything that inflames the gut lining can raise it. The common causes are:

Gut infections. MedlinePlus links very high levels with some bacterial food poisoning. A viral stomach bug usually causes only a small, short rise, says Lab Tests Online UK.
Inflammatory bowel disease, which means Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Very high levels are often seen here.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin.
Acid-reducing tablets (PPIs), such as omeprazole. The Bath NHS pathway lists them as a cause to rule out.
Other gut problems, such as coeliac disease and C. difficile infection.
Large polyps and some bowel cancers. NICE notes that levels are often raised in these.

Tell the doctor about every painkiller and stomach tablet you take. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Is a high faecal calprotectin serious?

Not always. One raised result can follow a recent stomach bug or a few days of ibuprofen. But a clearly high result, or one that stays raised, needs follow-up. It may be the first sign of IBD. IBD is treatable, and early care helps.

The number alone does not give a diagnosis. That needs a gut specialist and, usually, a colonoscopy.

Got a raised calprotectin result and not sure what comes next?

You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish. He reads your whole report, asks about your symptoms and medicines, and explains whether you need a repeat test or a specialist.

Get your results reviewed

What happens after a raised result?

It depends on how high it is and how you feel. NHS pathways differ, but a common plan looks like this:

Under 50 µg/g: IBD is very unlikely. The doctor looks at other causes, such as IBS.
Mildly raised: the doctor looks for other causes first. The test is then often repeated after some weeks. The Bath pathway repeats it at 6 weeks.
Above 250 µg/g, or rising: a referral to a gut specialist (a gastroenterologist, or digestivo in Spain). A colonoscopy is usually next.
Strong or worsening symptoms at any level: referral without waiting for a repeat test.

Some pathways ask people to pause NSAIDs before a repeat test, if that is safe. Your doctor decides this with you.

Can calprotectin rule out bowel cancer?

No. It is not a cancer test. NICE recommends it for adults with new bowel symptoms only when cancer is not suspected. NICE also warns that a normal result could falsely reassure.

Other tests look for hidden blood in stool. In the UK, doctors use the FIT test. In Spain, the public screening programme offers a stool test for hidden blood (sangre oculta en heces) every 2 years from age 50. The Ministry of Health has raised the upper age from 69 to 74, and the regions are bringing this in.

See a doctor whatever your calprotectin result if you have:

Blood in your stool, or black stools.
Weight loss you cannot explain.
Diarrhoea that wakes you at night.
Anaemia on a blood test.
A lump in your belly, or a strong family history of bowel cancer.

Call 112 if you are bleeding non-stop from your bottom, or there is a lot of blood (the toilet water turns red or you see large clots). Do the same for belly pain that started suddenly and is severe. These are the NHS 999 signs for rectal bleeding and stomach ache.

How do you collect a stool sample for calprotectin?

Use the clean pot the lab gives you.
Catch the stool on clean paper or plastic wrap laid over the toilet.
Keep urine, water and toilet paper out of the sample.
Label the pot with your name, the date and the time.
Return it as the lab tells you. Results can take several days.

You do not need to fast. Ask your doctor before the test if you take NSAIDs or acid tablets.

Talking it through with a doctor by video

Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:

Read your full report, including the range your lab uses.
Ask about your bowel habits, bleeding, weight and family history.
Check every painkiller, acid tablet and recent stomach bug.
Explain whether to repeat the test, add blood tests, or see a specialist.

He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.

A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.

See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.

This guide is general information. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor.

Frequently asked questions

What level of faecal calprotectin is worrying?

Many labs set the upper limit at 50 µg/g. NHS pathways often refer people above 250 µg/g, or when a repeat test stays raised. Your symptoms matter as much as the number.

Can ibuprofen raise calprotectin?

Yes. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin can raise it. Tell the doctor if you took any in the weeks before the test.

Can IBS raise calprotectin?

IBS does not inflame the gut, so it should not raise calprotectin. A normal result fits with IBS.

Does a normal calprotectin rule out Crohn's disease?

It makes IBD unlikely. A falsely normal result is possible. If your symptoms go on, see a doctor again.

Should I repeat a mildly raised calprotectin test?

Often, yes. Once other causes are checked, a mildly raised result is usually repeated after some weeks.

What is calprotectina fecal on a Spanish report?

It is faecal calprotectin. Spanish labs report it in µg/g or mg/kg, which give the same number.

Sources

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Medical Citations & Sources

This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.