What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing ongoing diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, or other digestive symptoms that won't go away. It looks for signs of inflammation inside your intestines, which can point to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or an active infection. It's a helpful first step to figure out if your gut symptoms are caused by inflammation rather than something else, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account along with an explanation of what a positive or negative result means. If your result is positive, a reasonable next step is to reduce inflammatory foods, note any new or worsening symptoms, and consider retesting to confirm the finding. If your result is negative but symptoms continue, it can help rule out inflammation as the cause. You can download your official lab report anytime and track results over time using the trends feature if you retest in the future.

What is intestinal inflammation and why does it matter?

Intestinal inflammation happens when your gut lining becomes irritated or swollen, often as a reaction to infection, food, or an autoimmune condition like IBD. It matters because ongoing inflammation can damage the intestine over time and cause chronic pain, diarrhea, or nutrient absorption problems if left unaddressed. Catching it early gives you the chance to make dietary or lifestyle changes before it becomes more serious.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your sample being received at the lab. You'll get a notification as soon as your results are available in your account. If you don't see them after that window, you can check your account status or reach out to customer support.

Who should consider this test?

This test is worth considering if you have persistent diarrhea, blood or mucus in your stool, unexplained abdominal pain, or a family history of inflammatory bowel disease. It's also useful if you've already been diagnosed with IBD and want to check whether your gut inflammation is flaring up or under control. People with simple, short-term stomach upset usually don't need this test.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Watch for symptoms like frequent watery or bloody diarrhea, cramping that doesn't go away, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue that comes along with digestive issues. Fevers paired with gut symptoms can also be a sign worth checking. If these symptoms are severe or you're seeing significant blood in your stool, seek medical care right away rather than waiting on test results.

How can I naturally support gut health?

Eating more fiber-rich whole foods, staying hydrated, and cutting back on processed foods and added sugar can help calm gut inflammation. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, or fermented vegetables may also support a healthier gut environment. Managing stress through sleep, exercise, and relaxation techniques can make a noticeable difference too, since stress is closely tied to digestive symptoms.

What does a positive lactoferrin result mean?

A positive result means there are white blood cells in your stool, which usually signals active inflammation somewhere in your intestines. This can be caused by an infection, a flare of inflammatory bowel disease, or another inflammatory condition in the gut. It doesn't tell you the exact cause on its own, so it's often used alongside your symptoms and other tests to figure out next steps.

What causes a positive lactoferrin result?

Common causes include infectious colitis (an infection irritating the colon), active inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and sometimes other inflammatory gut conditions. Certain recent illnesses or a history of infectious diarrhea can also affect the result, which is why this test isn't recommended within 6 months of an infectious diarrhea episode. If your result is positive, tracking your symptoms and diet can help narrow down the cause.

How often should I retest?

If you're monitoring a known condition like IBD, retesting every few months or whenever symptoms flare up can help you track whether inflammation is improving or getting worse. If your first result was positive and unexplained, retesting after making dietary or lifestyle changes can show whether those changes are helping. There's no need to retest frequently if your symptoms are stable and results were negative.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Lactoferrin Stool Test - Gut Inflammation Check

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

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