Fecal lactoferrin testing is used to detect and monitor inflammation in the intestines. Lactoferrin is a protein that’s released by white blood cells (neutrophils) when they become activated during inflammatory processes. Elevated levels of lactoferrin in the stool can be indicative of inflammation in the intestines.
Here’s what the fecal lactoferrin test is typically used for:
- Distinguishing Inflammatory from Non-Inflammatory Diarrhea: The test can help determine if diarrhea is caused by an inflammatory process, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or by a non-inflammatory condition, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While IBD involves significant inflammation of the intestines, IBS does not.
- Monitoring Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Patients with conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can have flare-ups of their disease with increased inflammation. Monitoring lactoferrin levels can help assess disease activity and response to treatments.
- Detecting Relapses or Flares: In patients with known IBD, an increase in fecal lactoferrin can indicate a flare-up or worsening of the disease even before severe symptoms develop.
- Evaluation of Undiagnosed Gastrointestinal Symptoms: In patients with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, elevated lactoferrin levels can provide evidence of inflammation and guide further diagnostic evaluations.
The advantages of fecal lactoferrin testing include its non-invasive nature (since it’s a stool test) and its sensitivity in detecting intestinal inflammation. However, like all tests, it’s essential to interpret the results in the context of the patient’s clinical presentation and other diagnostic findings.