Sample Type

Stool (fecal sample)

Fasting Required

🚫 No fasting required

Organ Evaluated

Intestines / Gut (specifically colon and small intestine)

Purpose

Detect inflammation in the intestines, especially in IBD (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)

< 50 μg/g

Normal – No significant inflammation

50–120 μg/g

Borderline – May need repeat test

> 120 μg/g

Elevated – Likely inflammation

> 250 μg/g

Strongly elevated – Active IBD (Crohn’s/Colitis) likely

✅ Differentiate IBD from IBS

High in IBD, normal in IBS

🔁 Monitor IBD activity

Track response to therapy, detect relapse

🧪 Non-invasive alternative to colonoscopy

For initial screening or monitoring

❗ Evaluate unexplained diarrhea or pain

Helps avoid unnecessary invasive procedures

CRP (C-Reactive Protein)

General inflammation marker

ESR

Detect systemic inflammation

CBC

Check WBC count, anemia (common in IBD)

Stool Occult Blood

Detect hidden blood in stool

Colonoscopy with Biopsy

Confirm inflammation, cancer, ulcers, or Crohn’s/Colitis

Fecal Lactoferrin

Another marker of intestinal neutrophil activity

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis

GI infections

Bacterial gastroenteritis (e.g., Salmonella, C. diff)

Colorectal cancer

Especially advanced stages

NSAID-induced colitis

Drug-related inflammation

Celiac disease (occasionally)

Mild elevations in active disease

Sample Type

Stool

Fasting

Not required

Normal Range

< 50 μg/g

Use

Detect intestinal inflammation, differentiate IBD from IBS

Associated Tests

CRP, ESR, CBC, colonoscopy, stool culture

Interpretation Notes

Not specific – needs correlation with symptoms and imaging