Calprotectin, Stool : 16796

Test Code

FCALQ or 16796

Alias/See Also

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn's Disease

CPT Codes
83993

Instructions

Collect solid Stool. Liquid stool or semi-liquid stool is acceptable.

Transport Container

Transport 3 g (Min: 0.3 g) unpreserved stool (formed, semi-liquid, or liquid) in a clean dry leak-proof container. Do not dilute stool. Do not add fixative or preservative.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 6 days (not recommended); Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: 28 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Stool in fixative or preservative; Samples other than raw stool; Stool collected during surgical procedure

Methodology
Chemiluminescence

Setup Schedule

Monday - Saturday

Report Available

4-5 days (From receipt at performing laboratory)

Limitations

NSAIDs may cause elevated results.

Reference Range

Normal: <50 mcg/g
Borderline: 50-120 mcg/g
Elevated: >120 mcg/g

Clinical Significance

Calprotectin is a non-specific marker of bowel inflammation. Subsequent to white blood cell migration into the intestine, this neutrophil protein may be detected in the stool. Thus, fecal calprotectin levels may assist in diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and other disorders characterized by bowel inflammation. It can also be used as an aid in the differentiation of IBD from irritable bowel syndrome.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.