2381. Lactoferrin (stool)
Description
Lactoferrin is a protein involved in the activation of local immunity. Any inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract lead to an increase in the levels of lactoferrin in the feces.
As a consequence, together with calprotectin, it is a marker of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
It is better to take it in combination with a coprogram and a fecal occult blood test.
When and who needs the test?
- examination of patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease;
- differential diagnosis of organic (inflammatory) changes in the intestinal wall and functional disorders (including irritable bowel syndrome);
- assessment of the activity of inflammatory bowel diseases;
- in combination with a fecal occult blood test when assessing the need for a colonoscopy;
- enteropathy associated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- monitoring the effectiveness of the course of treatment for chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, early determination of remission;
- preventive examination.
Biological material
- Stool
Preparing for stool testing
- Feces should not be sent for testing after an enema, insertion of suppositories, or intake of castor or vaseline oil.
- According to the indications, the doctor prescribes a trial diet, which the patient follows for 4-5 days.
- Feces for testing should not contain any foreign impurities, such as urine.
- For...