Test Id : LCTF
Lactoferrin, Feces
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Evaluating patients suspected of having a gastrointestinal inflammatory process
Distinguishing inflammatory bowel disease from irritable bowel syndrome, when used in conjunction with other diagnostic modalities, including endoscopy, histology, and imaging
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
LCTF
FLACT
Fecal
Feces
Stool
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
Fecal
Shipping Instructions
Preferred shipping temperature is frozen. Refrigerated or thawed specimens received more than 72 hours after collection will be rejected.
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
Supplies: Stool container, Small (Random), 4 oz (T288)
Container/Tube: Stool container
Specimen Volume: 5 g
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect a fresh random fecal specimen, no preservatives.
2. If specimen is sent refrigerate, send immediately after collection.
3. If specimen cannot be sent immediately, freeze specimen and send frozen.
Additional Information:
1. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered, with the exception of ELASF / Pancreatic Elastase, Feces and CALPR / Calprotectin, Feces. If only a single specimen is collected, it must be split prior to transport.
2. Testing cannot be added on to a previously collected specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
1 g
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Specimens collected from diapers | Reject |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal | Frozen (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Ambient | 72 hours | ||
| Refrigerated | 72 hours |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Evaluating patients suspected of having a gastrointestinal inflammatory process
Distinguishing inflammatory bowel disease from irritable bowel syndrome, when used in conjunction with other diagnostic modalities, including endoscopy, histology, and imaging
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family. Lactoferrin is primarily stored in the secondary granules of neutrophils as well as monocytes, macrophages and epithelial cells.(1,2) Lactoferrin has multiple roles in host defense with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties and is released through active secretion from living cells rather than cell death.(3) Lactoferrin reversibly binds ferric (Fe[3+]) iron,(2) inhibiting the growth of iron-dependent bacterial species.
Fecal lactoferrin is a stable biomarker, resistant to proteolysis and environmental degradation for several days, making it suitable for non-invasive assessment of intestinal inflammation. Fecal lactoferrin is the most specific (96.5%) biomarker to distinguish irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and nearly as sensitive (81.5%) as fecal calprotectin (85%).(4) In cases where the calprotectin result is borderline, fecal lactoferrin results may provide additional context for clinicians in the diagnosis and monitoring of IBD. Measurement of fecal lactoferrin and fecal calprotectin may reduce the need for invasive procedures like colonoscopy for the monitoring of IBD patients. The American Gastroenterological Association includes both fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin in their recommendations for the application of biomarkers in the management of ulcerative colitis.(5)
Because lactoferrin is a non-specific inflammatory biomarker, elevated concentrations can also be found in patients with celiac disease, colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal surgery, and gastrointestinal infections such as Clostridioides difficile.(5) Increased concentrations of fecal lactoferrin are not diagnostic for IBD and must be interpreted along with clinical symptoms and endoscopic findings.(4)
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
< or =4.4 mcg/g (Normal)
>4.4 mcg/g (Abnormal)
Reference values apply to all ages.
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Lactoferrin concentrations at or below 4.4 mcg/g are not suggestive of an active inflammatory process within the gastrointestinal system. For patients experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, consider further evaluation for functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Fecal lactoferrin concentrations above 4.4 mcg/g are suggestive of an active inflammatory process within the gastrointestinal system. Additional diagnostic testing to determine the etiology of the inflammation is suggested.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Elevations in fecal lactoferrin are not diagnostic for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and normal fecal lactoferrin concentrations do not exclude the possibility of IBD. Diagnosis of IBD should be based on clinical evaluation, endoscopy, histology, and imaging studies.
Elevations in fecal lactoferrin may be observed in other disease states associated with neutrophilic inflammation of the gastrointestinal system, including celiac disease, colorectal cancer, and gastrointestinal infections.
Falsely decreased concentrations of fecal lactoferrin may be observed in patients with neutropenia or granulocytopenia.
Due to the lack of homogenous distribution of lactoferrin in fecal material, variability in results may be seen when patients are monitored over time, particularly in samples with high lactoferrin concentrations.
Bovine lactoferrin (found in dairy products) has a different molecular structure from human lactoferrin and is not detected in this assay. However, nursing infants and those taking human lactoferrin supplements may risk false-positive results.(5)
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Kell DB, Heyden EL, Pretorius E. The biology of lactoferrin, an iron-binding protein that can help defend against viruses and bacteria. Front Immunol. 2020;11:1221
2. Liu N, Feng G, Zhang X, et al. The functional role of lactoferrin in intestine mucosal immune system and inflammatory bowel disease. Front Nutr. 2021;8:759507
3. Cao X, Ren Y, Lu Q, et al. Lactoferrin: A glycoprotein that plays an active role in human health. Front Nutr. 2023;9:1018336
4. LACTOFERRIN SCAN. Package insert. TechLab; RMS #91-351-02-TL, 07/2021
5. Singh S, Ananthakrishnan AN, Nguyen NH, et al. AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on the role of biomarkers for the management of ulcerative colitis. Gastroenterology. 2023;164(3):344-372
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
The TechLab LACTOFERRIN SCAN assay is a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring concentrations of human lactoferrin in feces. Briefly, polyclonal capture antibodies specific to human lactoferrin are immobilized on a 96-well plate. Calibrators, controls, and diluted patient samples are added to the wells of the plate. If present, lactoferrin will bind to the capture antibodies on the plate. After 37 degrees C incubation and washing, enzyme-labeled antibody conjugate is added. After another incubation and plate washing, a substrate solution is added and the plate is incubated. At the end of the assay, acidic stop solution is added to halt color development, turning the solution from blue to yellow. The absorbance of the color produced by the substrate is proportional to the amount of lactoferrin in the patient sample. Lastly, the control and patient results are calculated based on a curve generated from the kit calibrators and the dilution of the sample.(Package insert: Lactoferrin SCAN. TechLab; 07/2021)
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Tuesday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
- Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
- Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
83631
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| LCTF | Lactoferrin, F | In Process |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| LCTF | Lactoferrin, F | In Process |