What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing ongoing diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, or blood in your stool that won't go away. It helps figure out whether your gut symptoms are caused by real inflammation, like in Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, or whether they're more likely due to a non-inflammatory condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It's especially useful if you're trying to understand the root cause of chronic digestive issues before deciding on next steps.

What's included in this test?

This test measures a single, focused marker called fecal lactoferrin, which shows up in your stool when white blood cells are actively fighting inflammation in your intestines. Because it's specific to inflammation, it helps separate true inflammatory gut conditions from other causes of digestive discomfort that don't involve inflammation at all.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with your lactoferrin level and an explanation of what's considered a normal versus elevated range. If your level comes back high, a practical next step is tracking your symptoms closely and considering follow-up testing to pinpoint the cause of inflammation, while low results generally point away from active inflammatory bowel disease. You can download a standard lab report straight from your account, and if you retest down the road, the trends feature lets you see how your levels change over time. If your result is very high along with severe symptoms like heavy bleeding or intense pain, seek medical care right away.

How can I naturally support gut health?

Eating more fiber-rich whole foods, fermented foods like yogurt or kefir, and staying well hydrated can help support a healthier gut lining. Cutting back on processed foods, alcohol, and excess sugar may also reduce irritation in your digestive tract. Managing stress through regular exercise, sleep, and relaxation techniques can further calm gut inflammation since stress is closely tied to digestive flare-ups.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your sample being received by the lab. You'll get a notification once they're posted to your account so you can log in and review them right away.

Who should consider this test?

Anyone dealing with persistent digestive symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, or unexplained abdominal pain that has lasted more than a few weeks should consider this test. It's also useful if you've already been told you might have IBS but want to rule out an inflammatory condition first. People with a family history of inflammatory bowel disease may also want a baseline check.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Common symptoms include chronic diarrhea, frequent abdominal cramping, urgency to use the bathroom, blood or mucus in your stool, and unexplained weight loss. Fatigue and low appetite that come along with digestive troubles can also be signs worth checking out. If these symptoms keep coming back or are getting worse, it may be time to test.

What does a high lactoferrin result mean?

A high result means there's likely active inflammation in your intestines, which is common in conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. It doesn't tell you exactly what's causing the inflammation, just that your immune system is responding to something in your gut. This is a good time to consider follow-up testing and to make note of your symptom patterns.

What causes high lactoferrin levels?

Elevated levels are usually caused by active inflammatory bowel disease, but infections, certain bacterial overgrowths, or other inflammatory gut conditions can also raise this marker. Not all high results mean the same thing, so tracking your symptoms and any recent illnesses can help provide more context. Diet alone usually isn't enough to cause a big spike in this marker.

How often should I retest?

If you're being monitored for an existing condition, retesting every few months during flare-ups or treatment changes can help you track whether inflammation is going up or down. If your first result was normal but symptoms continue, retesting after any major diet or lifestyle changes can be helpful. Use the trends feature in your account to see your pattern over time.

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.

Fecal Lactoferrin Test - IBD vs IBS Screening

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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