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No symptoms does not mean no inflammation
Ulcerative colitis calprotectin management
The difference between clinical remission and mucosal healing as explained by HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic
Case of a female patient in her 50s
Hello. This is HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic, which has been researching ulcerative colitis since 2007. The patient introduced here received Western medical treatments such as Asacol and Mezavant after being diagnosed in 2021. Although she was in a state of 'clinical remission' where bloody stools and diarrhea had stopped and symptoms appeared completely improved on the surface, she visited our clinic because she felt a risk of recurrence due to high calprotectin levels.
Major symptoms and indicators at the time of visit
- Bowel status: Normal stool once a day, no bloody/mucus stools
- Calprotectin level: 105 (Borderline)
- Co-occurring symptoms: Rhinitis, chest tightness when stressed, indigestion
Why should you receive treatment if there are no symptoms?
Calprotectin is a measure of intestinal inflammation checked via stool. Even if there are no symptoms, a high level means that inflammation remains in the colon. Leaving this untreated leads to repeated recurrences and makes treatment increasingly difficult. The ultimate goal of ulcerative colitis treatment is not just symptom relief, but 'complete remission' where there is no inflammation even in the test results.
Step-by-step treatment progress and changes in metrics
Initial prescription and decrease in levels
Through upper digestive tract prescriptions, the calprotectin level dropped sharply from 105 to less than 3.8. Western medications were discontinued, and the patient switched to Korean herbal medicine only.
Manifestation and resolution of latent causes
The level rose briefly to 93, but this was a natural process as the second cause (inflammatory type) was revealed. Afterward, an inflammatory-type prescription was added, allowing the patient to maintain a perfect normal calprotectin level of less than 3.8.
Recommendation from HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic
Do not be afraid of fluctuations in your levels during treatment. If there are two or more causes, they can be addressed one by one. For ulcerative colitis patients, we recommend verifying intestinal inflammation to the very end through periodic calprotectin tests, even if you are asymptomatic.