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·Research has been ongoing since 1992, possibly earlier, on the value of monitoring calprotectin in the stool to verify inflammation in the intestines. Nycomed of Oslo, Norway has developed a simple stool exam that is providing good results in differentiating IBS from IBD from some forms of intestinal cancer. Its also proving to be a good method of monitoring active inflammation in the intestines so that medication regimes can be adjusted accordingly.Its been studied in double blind clinical studies against the "gold standards" of diagnostic tests: the colonoscopy and Indium lavage scans. Mayo Clinic has done comparison studies with their own Mayo Labs developed HemoQuant fecal occult blood test and found the fecal calprotectin test superior.This test is being utilized in clinical trials in the US by some of our leading teaching hospitals. It has only recently been introduced to the US and so is not available for clinical use except thru Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory and mostly holistic/alternative medicine practioners.Do a PubMed search on calprotectin or calprotectin and intestine to read the peer reviewed medical journal abstracts to decide for yourself whether to pursue having this test. It is as simple, non-invasive and risk-free as the fecal occult blood test but far superior in results. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/ The CPT Code # for the fecal calprotectin test is 83520. You can use this code # to see if your insurance will pay for this test. You will also need to know the IDC-9 diagnosis requiring this testing. For Crohn's disease the code # is 555.9 Crohn's disease or Regional Enteritis.Only healthcare providers registered with GSDL can script this test. GSDL has a toll free number you can call to request a list of healthcare providers in your particular area. They can send it to you via e-mail immediately.Just be advised that most of these registered healthcare providers are holistic/alternative "medicine" professionals and make sure you KNOW what the office call fees and all attendant fees are going to be. GSDL will not quote you the cost of the test, that is set by the provider. You also have every right to make it clear to that provider that you are interested ONLY in the fecal calprotectin test and results and will not seek care from them but will continue receiving your medical care from your current doctor(s). Many holistic/alternative "medicine" professionals charge office call and other fees considerably higher than conventional medical and osteopathic doctors so it pays to shop and discuss fees thoroughly upfront first.