Does my high fecal calprotectin level point to bowel cancer?

I have been having abdominal discomfort throughout the last 3 months. Some weeks worse than others. At stages I have has loose bowel movement, but for the most part it's been normal. On occasions I have noticed blood, but on the outside and I know that I have suffered from anal tears numerous times over the last few years.

I did have a spell a couple years back where I was in and out of the doctors every other week for about 3 months with belly problems, from sharp pains to persistent tenderness what seems like all over. 

I have noticed that I am very gassy, but always but this down to IBS beforehand. Anyway, over the last couple of months I've had three sets of blood tests, including CRP, but these came back negative. I do however have a stool test which returned with what the doctor said was very high fecal calprotectin. i have a colonoscopy booked for in a month time. Should I be worried? I've seen so many posts online linking FC to Bowel Cancer. I'm trying not to worry myself to much. The doctor said that the chances are very low because I'm in my early 20s, but I don't want that to be overlooked.

IBD is suspected, but I just can't see it myself. It's driving me up the wall though. Anyone experienced anything similar or can offer advise :/?

  • Hi. 
     

    im pretty much going through the same at the moment except my entire body hurts. Joints, muscles etc. My level is 250. I'm usually healthy and have been feel awful for the past couple of weeks. Constant head and feeling puffy. Apparently all may be due to my bowel. It's awful. Hope you all find some answers soon

  • Hey dude you're not alone. I had high levels too and have been urgently referred to gastroenterology and endocrinology. Constantly fatigued. Can barely do anything and lost quite a bit of weight. Blood in stool.  Hopefully find answers soon. Hope you do to

  • So awful. The fatigue is unreal. Sometimes comes on all of a sudden too. I have inflammation in all my joints but my whole body hurts if you press. My scalp is even sensitive. Hoping we all get this sorted soon. Will post any results I get. I'm going private so hopefully some answers soon. 

  • It's awful isn't it. Not knowing and the worry is half the battle. Havent been able to do anything for weeks. Barely leave the couch. hope you get sorted going private. 

     

    Yeah I'll post results too. My bloods are all normal but my inflammatory markers were high in my stool so prompted urgent referral. 

     

    All the best 

  • The worry is awful and probably making fatigue worse. 
     

    Do you have colonoscopy booked? I was meant to have mine today but had such a bad headache I couldn't face the prep so have rescheduled. Even though my head is still so sore, I really wish I had just done it now 

  • I think they are doing initial observations and then probably will get me booked in for one if it warrants it. 

    Yeah I definitely think you should re book one just to be on the safe side and put your mind at ease

  • I've done that thing what we all tell everyone not to do and fell down a Google hole! 

    So Ive never had stomach issues, but since May of this year Ive been having on and off really bad pains (feels like trapped wind type cramps but x10). Ive lost control over my bowels twice in this period of time as well and other times it feels as if I'm not finished...also blood in my stool. Reading some of you are saying about headaches and fatigue which I have but putting down to just current life. I had three lots of bloods done that all came back negative so I ended up doing a stool sample. This has come back abnormal "Feacal Calprotectin Content > 6000ug/g [<50.0] Consistant with active bowel inflamation suggest urgent gastro referral"

    Looking to see if anyone else had had anything like this or results so high? Or even if this is high as I cant work it out!

    Im currently waiting for the hosptial to call me back as I've had a call to say the Consultant has advised they want me in for a colonoscopy.

     

  • My reading was 250 but I have seen a lot of people with really high readings. Coloscopy is best way to check the cause. I think I'm suffering from an autoimmune response because i have a whole lot going on at the moment. Feeling so awful with pain everywhere. Hope you get colonoscopy soon and you get the treatment you need.

  • I'm going through similar as few on here calprotectin 260 just not feeling right constant cramping stomach pain and terrible back pain feeling tired.. started after my second covid jab previously fit and healthy. Been told probable IBD but need to redo test don't know why when level high and have symptons. Agree it's awful just want to know what's going on hopefully we will get sorted soon

  • My Gastroenterologist told me it is not possible to diagnose IBD without colonoscopy. He said IBD is a possibility but he's used to seeing much higher levels with IBD. He told me to stop taking any Ibuprofen and then redo stool sample in a months time and has booked me in for a colonoscopy in September now