General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
Contact your doctor promptly if abdominal pain or the number of bowel movements increases, or unusual symptoms develop. A fever while taking a corticosteroid is also a change that needs prompt medical attention.
Crohn’s is chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Periods of activity differ from person to person. Follow-up assesses how the disease changes and responds to care, including between flares.
A stool calprotectin test may be requested. This marker provides information about intestinal inflammation, but a raised level is not specific to Crohn’s. One result alone cannot identify the cause.
Stool tests do not all have the same purpose. Testing for bacteria or parasites investigates infection; calprotectin assesses inflammation. Ask which question each prescribed test is intended to answer.
The team considers clinical examination, blood and stool tests and, according to your follow-up arrangements, endoscopic examinations. The timetable is agreed with you: calprotectin is one part of this monitoring.
Write down questions between visits and attend the agreed examinations. Even when symptoms have settled, do not stop treatment without discussing it with your doctor. Also report any side effects you experience.
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