An Affordable and Simple Test for Gut Inflammation and Alzheimer’s
The calprotectin biomarker test is a crucial tool that can guide physicians and patients towards appropriate care for both gut and brain symptoms.
Many Americans are familiar with gut inflammation and its associated symptoms, such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, excessive gas, and constipation. These symptoms often occur during acute illness caused by viruses and bacteria like those responsible for food poisoning.
Inflammation indicates that your immune system is actively fighting an infection. Once the infection is cleared, symptoms typically diminish, and your body returns to a balanced state.
If persistent gastrointestinal issues disrupt your normal activities and there is no clear infection present, seeking guidance from a gastroenterologist may be beneficial. However, a simple test ordered by your family or primary care physician can provide insights to determine the next steps. The fecal calprotectin biomarker test, conducted using a stool sample, is affordable, straightforward, and reliable.
IBS, IBD, and Dementia
Calprotectin is a protein produced by white blood cells known as neutrophils. It is released in the gut in response to inflammation or infection. Elevated levels of calprotectin indicate the presence of inflammation, helping doctors differentiate between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is not inflammatory. Recent studies have also linked this test to dementia, which is associated with IBD.
As IBD and IBS share many symptoms, measuring calprotectin levels can help patients avoid unnecessary and invasive tests like colonoscopies and endoscopies. Well-trained physicians can often diagnose IBS without the need for imaging tests, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
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“As a primary care doctor, I want to be assured I’m not delaying a diagnosis by labeling someone with IBS and treating them for that rather than missing a case of IBD,” Dr. Bryce told The Epoch Times. “IBD has more potential harms of being missed because it is associated with colon cancer. They need to be watched very closely. Patients with IBS don’t have those same risks, even though they do have a number of distressing symptoms.”
IBD is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the intestinal tissues, considered chronic. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main types of IBD, affecting different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, and various others as outlined by Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Utilizing calprotectin for monitoring IBD patients offers valuable insights in assessing disease progression and potential relapse. Elevated calprotectin levels have also been linked to Alzheimer’s disease, hinting at its potential for early dementia detection.
Managing IBD
Initially shown to be clinically useful in 1992, calprotectin is one of the tools aiding physicians in diagnosing and managing IBD. While it cannot distinguish between types of IBD, the test can help detect inflammatory conditions beyond IBD, such as infections, diverticulitis, and others.
Higher calprotectin levels may indicate IBD patients at risk of relapse, raising the standard of care and possibly reducing the need for frequent invasive endoscopies.
Ruling Out IBS
Due to the lack of definitive tests for confirming IBS, healthcare providers may conduct other assessments to eliminate other conditions like bacterial overgrowth, parasites, and malabsorption.
IBS, of uncertain origin, does not cause cancer or alter GI tissues but can lead to distressing symptoms like rectal bleeding and persistent pain.
“IBS is a challenging diagnosis that patients struggle with and may endure for years before seeking medical advice. Identifying this condition early can help initiate interventions to alleviate symptoms without the need for unnecessary tests,” Dr. Bryce stated.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you are experiencing GI symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain, discussing a calprotectin test with your healthcare provider, particularly before considering a colonoscopy, is advisable. Insurance typically covers this test, Dr. Bryce noted.
Encouraging dialogue about calprotectin screening among both doctors and patients is crucial to enhance its utility in clinical settings, Dr. Bryce emphasized.
Physicians can significantly impact patient care by actively listening to patient experiences, acknowledging their expertise regarding their own bodies, and fostering a partnership in decision-making.
Research has indicated that high calprotectin levels, associated with Alzheimer’s symptoms, could potentially be utilized for early disease detection, even in asymptomatic individuals.
Even without Alzheimer’s, higher calprotectin levels were associated with poorer memory test scores, indicating a broader impact on cognitive function. Aging may naturally elevate calprotectin levels, potentially due to shifts in the gut microbiome, which can trigger inflammation.
“Understanding the connection between gut changes and Alzheimer’s onset and progression is crucial,” remarked Tyler Ulland, a researcher focusing on pathology and lab medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health.
