IBD Panel Test | IBD Blood & Stool Test

This IBD panel measures 3 key markers of inflammation – c-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate by modified Westergren (ESR), and calprotectin – that may provide insight into intestinal inflammation often associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. According to the CDC,¹ an estimated 2.4 to 3.1 million adults in the United States live with some form of IBD. The condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy intestinal cells, leading to inflammation that can damage the digestive tract and often requires ongoing treatment. The two main types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Measuring these inflammation markers can help you and your healthcare provider understand whether inflammation may be contributing to your digestive symptoms or help you track your inflammation levels and treatment response if you’ve been diagnosed with IBD.

Two markers of this test are measured in your blood (CRP and ESR), and calprotectin is measured in your stool. Both a stool and a blood sample are required for testing. You’ll need to book two appointments: one to pick up your stool sample container, and another to return it once you’ve collected your sample, and have your blood drawn. Blood will not be drawn at your first (container pickup) appointment.

No doctor’s visit needed. Buy this inflammatory bowel disease test panel online and visit a nearby Quest location.

Sample type: Blood and Stool
Test type: In Person
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Test For: Ages 18-100

Preparation: While no special preparation is required, you'll need to book two appointments: one to pick up your stool sample container, and another to return it once you've collected your sample, and have your blood drawn. Two markers of this test are measured in your blood (CRP and ESR), and calprotectin is measured in your stool. Both a stool and a blood sample are required for testing. Blood will not be drawn at your first (container pickup) appointment.

This test may be right for you if any of the following are true:

You are being treated for IBD and want to monitor your inflammation levels or assess treatment response
You’ve previously been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and want to monitor your inflammation or assess your treatment response
You are experiencing signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases (see Signs and symptoms section below), such as chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss, and want to understand if inflammation could be part of the cause

Please note: This test alone is not diagnostic of inflammatory bowel diseases. It is important to follow up with your healthcare provider. They will review your results along with your medical history and signs and symptoms to determine next steps.

This IBD test measures the following 3 markers often related to inflammatory bowel disease:

C-reactive protein is a protein made by the liver in response to inflammation or infection in the body. Elevated CRP levels are found in the blood of people with inflammatory conditions. CRP is also useful in monitoring inflammatory disease states such as IBD.

This test measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube. A faster rate can indicate inflammation in the body. This test is often used to assess and monitor inflammatory conditions, including IBD.

Calprotectin is a protein found in stool that reflects inflammation in the intestines. Because it correlates closely with the intestinal inflammation seen in IBD, healthcare providers often use it as a non-invasive way to help evaluate and monitor these conditions. Calprotectin levels can also help distinguish IBD from non-inflammatory conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, elevated levels aren't specific to IBD and may also occur with infections, certain medications like NSAIDs, or other inflammatory conditions; therefore, levels are reviewed in the context of other clinical evaluations.

Signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease can vary from person to person. They may come and go, ranging from mild to severe, and sometimes overlap with symptoms of other digestive conditions. Common symptoms can include the following:

Chronic diarrhea or changes in bowel movements
Blood in your stool
Stomach pain (especially in your lower abdomen)
Nausea
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss

Purchaser: You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com.

Patient: This test can be performed on patients between 14 and 100 years old. If this test will be performed on someone less than 18 years old:

The appropriate age bracket needs to be selected during purchase
Both parent/guardian (hereinafter "parent") and patient information will need to be provided during test registration
Both parent and patient must be present for sample collection, the parent will need to have their identification available at collection
Results will be provided to the listed parent

Sample collection: This test requires 2 visits to a Quest Diagnostics location. Collection is not available in AZ or HI.

Please note: Laboratory testing for children under 18 years of age should always be conducted with the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider. Our tests are designed to support continuity of care, ease of access, and empower families with accessible health information. They are not a substitute for medical evaluation or ongoing care from a pediatrician. Parents should review test results with their child's healthcare provider to ensure appropriate interpretation, follow-up, and treatment in the context of the rest of your child's care. If your child is experiencing symptoms or you have concerns about their health, please contact your pediatrician or seek other medical care immediately.

While no special preparation is required, you'll need to book two appointments: one to pick up your stool sample container, and another to return it once you've collected your sample, and have your blood drawn. Two markers of this test are measured in your blood (CRP and ESR), and calprotectin is measured in your stool. Both a stool and a blood sample are required for testing. Blood will not be drawn at your first (container pickup) appointment.

After you provide your specimens, it generally takes up to 6 business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If you have or create a MyQuest® account, you may be able to review your new results there with your other Quest results.If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent healthcare providers are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

If this test is performed on someone less than 18 years old, the results will be provided to the registered parent.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 150+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

1

Buy a lab test

No doctor visit is required for purchase, but an independent healthcare provider is involved throughout the process.

Shop now

2

Register your test
& schedule appointments

Complete test registration online and book 2 visits at one of 2000+ Quest locations - you will need one visit for pick-up and one for drop-off.

Register your test

3

Visit Quest for sample collection

On your first visit, pick up your sample container and receive instructions for proper collection. On your second, you will drop off your stool sample and have your blood drawn.

4

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent healthcare provider at no extra cost.

FAQs

Do I need to provide my stool sample at the appointment?

No. Stool samples are collected at home, not at the Patient Service Center (PSC). At your first appointment, you’ll pick up your stool sample container (sterile screw-top cup) and instructions. You’ll then collect your sample at home, following the directions provided.

Click here for stool sample collection instructions.

Are inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) the same?

No. They sound similar and share some similar symptoms, but the key difference is that IBD involves inflammation that damages your digestive tract, and IBS does not. IBD is a disease of the bowel that includes inflammation. IBS is not a disease, but rather a group of symptoms that affect your digestive tract and how fast food goes through it.

What causes inflammatory bowel disease?

While progress has been made in IBD research, researchers do not yet know the cause of this disease. Research shows that many things work together to cause IBD, including inherited genes and environmental factors.⁴ For example, cigarette smoking is an environmental factor that is known to increase the risk of Crohn’s disease. Researchers believe that once an IBD patient's immune system is "turned on," it does not know how to properly "turn off" at the right time. As a result, inflammation damages the intestine and causes symptoms of IBD.

Will the diseases ever go away, or will I have to take medications for life?

IBD is a chronic condition, which means you will have it for the rest of your life. People with IBD often need treatment to control symptoms and improve their quality of life, and most patients will be on medication for the rest of their lives even if the disease symptoms are not active (in remission). It IS possible to have periods of remission where you would have no symptoms at all. There is no known cure for IBD, but advances are being made.

Can your diet cause IBD symptoms?

No, but certain foods and liquids may cause your symptoms to get worse after you consume them. Every person’s body reacts differently, but food and drink that may make your IBD worse include the following:

Beverages with alcohol
Caffeinated or carbonated drinks
Greasy food
Food made with milk or dairy products
Food high in fiber

Why is this test only available for children 14 years of age or older?

Quest has worked with independent physicians to define appropriate age eligibility ranges for each test. These ranges ensure that our offerings are medically responsible and suitable for self-directed use. We plan to review age eligibility for our tests over time as more data and guidance becomes available.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests on questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Are tests purchased from questhealth.com covered by my health insurance?

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are intended for individuals paying directly—we do not bill insurance, and purchases cannot be submitted for insurance reimbursement.

If your doctor ordered a lab test for you and you are looking to book an appointment for sample collection, you can schedule an appointment here https://appointment.questdiagnostics.com/as-home.

For other questions related to a lab test your doctor ordered for you, including billing and results, you can visit the main Quest Diagnostics site here https://www.questdiagnostics.com.

Our references

CDC Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD Facts and Stats. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/php/facts-stats/index.html
CDC Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Inflammatory Bowel Diesase (IBD) Basics. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/about/index.html#:~:text=Inflammatory%20bowel%20disease%20(IBD)%20refers,symptoms%20and%20lead%20active%20lives.
CDC Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Testing and Diagnosis for Inflammatory Bowel Diesase (IBD). Accessed October 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/testing/index.html
Cleveland Clinic. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Accessed October 29, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15587-inflammatory-bowel-disease
Cleveland Clinic. Understanding the Differences Between IBD and IBS. Accessed October 29, 2025. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ibd-vs-ibs
AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on the Role of Biomarkers for the Management of Crohn’s Disease. Ananthakrishnan, Ashwin N. et al. Gastroenterology, Volume 165, Issue 6, 1367 - 1399
AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on the Role of Biomarkers for the Management of Ulcerative Colitis. Singh, Siddharth et al. Gastroenterology, Volume 164, Issue 3, 344 - 372

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Test Panel