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2381. Lactoferrin (stool)
Description
A fecal lactoferrin test is a noninvasive laboratory test that can detect intestinal inflammation. Lactoferrin is a protein found in neutrophil granules, so its elevated levels indicate the migration of immune cells to the intestinal mucosa in response to inflammation. Consequently, fecal lactoferrin, along with calprotectin, is a marker of gastrointestinal inflammation.
It is best to perform this test in conjunction with a stool analysis and a fecal occult blood test.
When and who needs the test?
When?
- If you have symptoms of long-term inflammatory bowel disease (pain, diarrhea, mucus or blood in the stool, weight loss).
- Before a colonoscopy as a preliminary screening.
- To assess the activity of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- To monitor the effectiveness of IBD treatment.
Who should use it?
- Patients with suspected inflammatory bowel disease.
- Patients with long-term gastrointestinal symptoms that are refractory to treatment.
- Children and adults who need to avoid invasive diagnostic tests.
- Patients with diagnosed IBD – to monitor disease activity and response to therapy.
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...