calprotectin result of 450

I have an on & off history of loose bowels and likewise hemaroids that bleed from time to time.  and recently took  a fecal test. that I will get to but 1st need to put up an outlining  recent histor of other things that may be inter connected or  mere co-incidence

a fairly extensive past history
Last year cancer treatment on the left kidney to freeze/burn the top tumerous area and just had a 1 year scan and waiting on  resluts , previous have been clear and expect the same result.
Abdominal hernia treatment went well 2 years past and believe I have a small hernia just under my diaphram.
A history diagnosed as probably  C.OP.D. with  shortness of breat pemenantly even when going up stairs or talking while walking.
various rhumatic issues (20 yr history)have resulted in extensive bone spurs (osteophytes) causing both shoulders and R knee to be decompressed. and similar issues now with L knee) Spine issues with spurs that have over the years resulted in many cortizone injections to shoulders, knees and spine including a procedure to fry the spine nerves(denervation|) which didnt have the hoped for results.
I have psoriasis and some experts discount  psoratic arthritis while others  think i do have it as pain flares match increased psoriasis flares.
Diverticulitis issues began 4-5 years ago so somewhat of a diet change but in general under control.

Biggest side concern that  specialists seem to be ignoring is a movement in my spine disc t8 or t7 that no one wants to listen to as its so rare (apparently ) so im being dismissed but it moves  about,a clicking  sound & sensation occurs that MSK  examiner claimed was a common issue of a tendon "stapping over part of the vertebrae" it causes extensive pain when walking and worse when upright.

myself and GP are convinced I am getting nerve pain across my left lower ribs horrizontally and also in my  left abdomen  vertical in  pain that has been constant since Jan ranging from painful to  excruciating, 3 A&E visists were treated as prob diverticulitis flares with anti biotics and no one listening to me saying nerve pain  probables.
Im convinced upright pressure on spine is causing the pain triggered from my T8/7 region but again no one listening or taking me seriously due to the many cortizone jabs in spine area L3/4 that seems to have been from a congenital fault that i wasnt aware of til recently.

A spine specialist saw mri and other scans and a phone consult  basicly went  "nope, nothing to see so no need to see u as im a surgical specialist"
I still waiting to see any specialist that will physically examing my spine at the T8 area.
The pain is that bad I use a hernia belt reversed into the T8 area to reduse its movement when im walking any distance over 100yards

After this littl lot i complain to GP about rectal bleeding that may be  hemaroids on overdrive but basicly been bloated and very gassy for 1-2 years , my gut gets larger but im still trying to lose weight (120kilo down to 110in 18 months) but my "belly" seems to enlarge as i get skinnier.
Anyway the  gassy now started producing looser bowels than normal & wife pressed me to see gp.
Im low 2-3 weeks into still loose bowles but not the diahrea that was an issue  10 days ago with lots of bright red blood. I was passing wind and pebble dashing the loo with blood!
 thus came the fecal  test of which the reading came back as 450 ! and a referal to the gastro dept of local hospital. that has resultied in a proposed phone call with a date for it.

Now i have seen people here with readings in the 1000's and seen many  around 200-300 that often result in things like IBS & IBD but  am struggling to find anything with readings in the 400-500 or even 4-600 , I believe in the uk the readings tend to stop at 600 so some level of insights feedback on what im possibly looking at here would be useful.

Im aware that calprotectin readings relate to potential infections and a sort of "used white cell count" sort of thing so  over 100 tend to indicate infections and issues. Is there any sort of indication of what the numbers are possibly reflecting as I =dont feel I have symptoms of IMS /IBD as i have no constant "gut/belly" issues that im aware of other than  over last few years regular loose bowels. A scope investigation in past confirmed diverticulitis and 2 years ago confirmed hemaroids that were at time a minor  nuisance at best.

Digging into what the numbers may mean seem a bit fruitless so does anyyone here have experience of  450 readings for calprotectin ?
TY

  • Hi drenai,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. It sounds like you've been through quite a bit recently with all of this.

    It's good to hear you are waiting on a referral - this will of course be the best and only way to get the answers you need, so I hope that it's not too long to wait for this and that you get some more information soon.

    Hopefully you'll receive some more replies here. There will likely also be other similar discussions on the forum, so do have a search (using the button in the blue bar above), if you would like to.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Ben thanyou for the response, i have tried using the search but either seem to come up on numbers under 400 or  I suspect peoples numbers from the USA with numbers in the 1000's. 
    I get the impression there is more than one way of sorting the results and number count and as a result somewhat confused by much of what info I can find.

    I am aware of the saying "a little knowledge is dangerous"  but find myself trying to gaing any knowledge at the moment is a bit problematic with so many  far ranging scales .

  • Hi drenai,

    No problem - and I understand wanting to get some extra information. If you'd like to talk things through with someone, you are welcome to give our nurses a call. You can reach them on 0808 800 4040 - Monday-Friday, 9-5. They can't diagnose but may be able to offer some insight - although as mentioned the specialist at your appointment will be the one best placed to give answers.

    All the best,

    Ben

  • Hi Drenai,

    I'm sorry to hear all your issues you've been having. I'm no expert on this at all but recently had a stomach bug whilst coming back from holiday. I had horrendous dhiarea for two weeks so went to the gp. She had me take. Calprotectin test and came back over 3000! She was shocked at how high it was so had me take another test two weeks later which came back at 150. I also had a positive fit of 150 so was placed on a two week colonoscopy referral. Luckily the colonoscopy was clear of cancer but the doctor found some mild inflammation in my rectum which he took some biopsies of. I received a call from the nurse last week who told me that everything was fine. I am still having loose stools here and there though so am thinking I may have ibs. I also have Internernal haemorrhoids which could be causing me grief. I will give it a few weeks and if I'm still having issues will go back for more tests :(. I have read that inflammation in the rectum alone (proctitis) can give you problems with pooing but not cause stomach cramping as it is only in the rectum. 

  • Thankyou firstly for the reply and also its detail.

    Are you UK based or across the pond. Ive seen scores in the UK  up to 600 but most that have given location info in the 1000's have been non UK so I wonder if there is more than one scoring system.

    If there is only one  reading through your post is reassuring to hear you spiked at 3000 with a follow up of 150.

    I rare get any cramping but loose stool is  an on & off thing for me over the last 2 years and often put it down to  med changes.
    I will definately be looking out for your updates if you would be kind enough to post them and yes I am likely worrying overly  and will until  the "dept nurse" calls me tomorrow afternoon with no doubt a clearer picture or schedule for further tests and no doubt "another" scope in one end or the other!
    Thankfully having a scope inserted hold no fear having had a few in the past done and all were problem free. :)

  • I am based in the UK. I was freaking out when the result came back at 3000 and started googling. The only symptoms I had were really bad dhiarea which lead to bad dehydration. I am slightly concerned that I have proctitis but the nurse went through all my results with me and said that there was no sign on that in the biopsies so I have to rely on the results. I'm a big worrier and have had a nightmare recently trying to relax and especially sleep well. I also have a 3 year old who wants constant attention so it's been a very tough few months. I am thinking/hoping  that maybe all the stress has made my stools go all over the place. 

  • pardon the pun but that sounds *** with a youngster on your hands as well. Fairly sure ive had protitis or v similar in some manner as the hemoroides I get are part in part out and can result in a lot of dry itch which is a nightmare as I have reduced movement/flexibility and sometimes even wiping is a painful series of stretching "to reach" and in all honesty if the count of 450 results in that it would be  a decent result and far less stressy than thinking (as the mind does) of  other possibles.

    odly in all of this I actually dont feel any current discomfort so  will work on thinking possetive about it all and assume I am merly projecting early signs of  a slight diverticulitis flare which is easy managable ... & wait on "THAT" call  on Wednesday  afternoon :) 

  • So a bit of an update after aexpected call from the said nurse and now prob have too much info !

    I will be getting a call tomorrow to sort a colonoscopy (expected)

    Results were talked about it seems I didn't get full detail 1st time but...

    F.I.T. test result 400

    Calprotectin 550

    The scope will be a full on up past the large and into the small intestine.

    Offered pain meds for procedure and will be given a special 3 day diet prior to a Medicated enema to thoroughly flush me out.

     

    Having read more about the scores I wish I hadn't and the volonoscopy can't come soon enough !