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What Does A Positive Lactoferrin Test Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 26 Oct 2015
Question: 33 yr old male been having some digestive problems for over couple years now had lactoferrin test come back possitve also have had fatigue and anxiety am worried I have some kind of cancer 8 months ago cbc came back fine week ago had chest x ray come back fine had occult blood guaiac test came back negative also urine test was negative worried about colon and liver first pick from 4 days ago and 2nd from today 2nd looked pale to me but not sure
3 weeks ago had realy bad pai. in stomach when trying to situp lasted for a week or so
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please find below explanations

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!

I read carefully all your concerns and I can say as follows:
1. A positive Lactoferrin test is indicative for bowel infection. It's not indicative for bowel, or liver cancer. Usually a positive lactoferrin test is used to diagnose Inflammatory Bowel Disease ( ulcerative Colitis and M. Crohn) or C. Difficile infection.

This is why I strongly recommend you to do :
- colonoscopy
- upper endoscopy
- stool test for C difficile infection.
- coproculture

2.With regards to your pics I can say that the color of your stool is normal. Although the stool consistency is softener than usual, please keep in mind that this isn't a sign for malignancies or other serious problems.

You should discus with your doctor about doing the above mentioned examinations for a proper evaluation of your problems.

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (9 minutes later)
I have had upper Gi found gerd I have had stool test for Cdiff came back negative I have colonoscopy on the 9th I had a occult blood guaiac test that came back negative in your opinion would this be possitve if I had some sort of liver or colon cancer not sure exzactyl what all this test would show I am only 33 but have smoked for a long time and quit about a month ago also in your opinion the secon stool pic looks pale to me but not to you ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Following suggestions...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back

1. If you would have colon (or bowel) cancer than occult blood test will be positive. This is why you don't have any clue to suspect bowel cancer.

2. With regards to liver cancer it is associated with high liver transaminases and high bilirubin level, which in your case are normal.

3. The second pics doesn't seem to be pale. Although it is not as your usual stool (in color or consistency) but it is not abnormal and you shouldn't worry about it.
Let me explain again the color of the stools and the consistency is more pale and softly when the patient has increased bowel transit. It is not a sign neither for liver cancer nor for colon cancer.

Please get calm since you perform colonoscopy.

Wish you all the best!
Dr. Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (24 minutes later)
is it normal for me to get ibd at 33 and start stmtoms around 30 also the occult blood test does the results change depending on the bowel movement or would it be detected basically every one also wouldent the occult blood test pick up ibd and do most people with ibd have blood cause i dont think i.notice blood I do have abdominal pain after I eat certain stuff now i was telling you i had realy bad pain in stomach when i try to sit up yawn or take a deep breath that lasted for a week or so would that be what a flare up is or is that sound like something else ty for answering
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please follow the suggestions below.....

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for follow up.

1. Yes it is normal to get IBD at 33 years. The occult blood test may be negative even in patient with IBD.
Not all patients with IBD has blood in stools, especially in mild form.

2. You are reporting to have abdominal pain when you eat certain stuff. It can be related with sensitivity or malabsorbtion from these foods.
Please can you send me witch foods aggravate your symptoms?

3.With regards to stomach pain after deep breath or sit up it is not related with stomach issues neither with IBD.

It sound to be related with:
1.muscle problems associated with postural problems at work.
2.rib problems like chostochondritis
For the moment you can use pain killers to avoid pain.

Wish you all the best!
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (2 hours later)
its usually fast foods I am a truck driver so those pains I was asking about that would not be considered a flare up and I have been having these diarea problems for a while now do those continue when eating fast foods like that even when im not having a flare up if this is ibd and i do have like quick pains in lower and middle stomach on both sides and in middle sometimes but they are not to bad I hear alot of people act like they are in alot of pains over this disease and have alot of blood in stool.thats y I am questioning if thats what it is so in your professional opinion people that test possitive for lactoferrin more times than not have IBD and not some other problem
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

In my professional opinion people with a positive lactoferrin test may have IBD or bowel infection. Especially this two disease are very common in truck drivers due to job related diet and life style.

This is why I strongly recommend doing the above mentioned examinations especially colonoscopy to exclude IBD and stool test for infection (including ova parasite test, stool test for candida and coproculture test). These examinations are essential to confirm the diagnosis and to determine which is the best treatment for you.

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Klerida
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2266 Questions

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What Does A Positive Lactoferrin Test Indicate?

Brief Answer: Please find below explanations Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you for asking! I read carefully all your concerns and I can say as follows: 1. A positive Lactoferrin test is indicative for bowel infection. It's not indicative for bowel, or liver cancer. Usually a positive lactoferrin test is used to diagnose Inflammatory Bowel Disease ( ulcerative Colitis and M. Crohn) or C. Difficile infection. This is why I strongly recommend you to do : - colonoscopy - upper endoscopy - stool test for C difficile infection. - coproculture 2.With regards to your pics I can say that the color of your stool is normal. Although the stool consistency is softener than usual, please keep in mind that this isn't a sign for malignancies or other serious problems. You should discus with your doctor about doing the above mentioned examinations for a proper evaluation of your problems. Hope this will be of help! Wish you health! Dr. Klerida