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High calprotectin level and 24 weeks pregnant

th_1983
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Hi!

I was wondering if anyone has any wise words or been in similar situation...

I'm 24 weeks pregnant and since week 18 have had bad diarrhoea, going to the toilet 3-5 times a day.. doctors checked for infection which came back normal. But since the problem has continued doctor tested calprotectin level which came back over 400.. I have been referred to GI department and they might do colonoscopy.... i had bleeding with stool early pregnancy, this happened twice and then stopped. Calprotectin was then normal but within 10 weeks has gone to 400+.. has anyones been in similar situation? I'm worried it would be cancer or affect the baby.

I've had gut problems since I was in my early 20s, I'm now 37. And I have been tested for chrons etc 4 years ago but all came back normal. What are the chances I would have developed IBD in the 4 years or would cancer be more likely?? I'm very worried and stressed which isn't great.... has anyone been in a similar situation????

  • Hello th_1983,

    As you're pregnant, it is difficult to know where these symptoms are coming from until further tests are done. It can be natural to think the worst, but this only has a negative impact on your wellbeing. There is some information on the colonoscopy test here, which I hope will make you feel more prepared.

    All the best,

    Moderator Anastasia

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    Hi hope you are well. Did you ever find the cause of the raised test? Xx

  • Offline in reply to Charl123

    Hi! Sorry for late reply.. I just noticed your message. No I didn't.. my calprotectin was tested a month later in May 2021 and it had gone to 300+ and the following month back to normal and all symptoms went away. Doctor said they wouldn't do colonoscopy as I was pregnant. But they would monitor the situation and once baby arrives colonoscopy would be likely. My baby boy is now 9 months and I have recently left another calprotectin sample.. I'm so worried its high again!!! The GI doctor said its unlikely it would be cancer as calprotectin level would steadily go up and since mine went back to normal and all symptoms went away I'm hoping it's nothing sinister and maybe just ibd flare up.. I did leave a sample also in October which was 151 and doctor said this is grey area... so I'm now really stressed it's gone high in the last 6 months.... have you been in a similar situation?? 

  • Offline in reply to th_1983

    Hi, 

     

    in a similar situation. Did you ever find out the issue? My level was 383 but the consultant refuses to do a colonoscopy! X 

  • Offline in reply to B1357

    Hi,

    Sorry to hear that! No I haven't... ever since the birth they have kept monitoring the level. Once it was over 100 - grey area but otherwise its been normal. 

    Have you had issues before you were pregnant? If you have most likely pregnancy has caused a flare up. I had this with both of my pregnancies. After my first son was born I had small bowel mri which was normal. 

    They wouldn't do colonoscopy during pregnancy as it's high risk. 

    How are you now? Hope all is well!!

     

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