Liz, I had never heard of calprotectin before this summer when I had a calprotectin stool test to check for candida overgrowth in the gut. Through 3 years of UC and a J-pouch in 1994, I don't recall stool tests or mention of calprotectin...but, that was in the Old Days! I don't know if I can answer your questions but you provided some helpful information about the levels for J-pouchers. I would love to know where you came across those numbers. I was told that 51 was high and that 95% of population are around 15. It could be they didn't account for people with J-pouches. I did do another sample for a lab called Genova that provided more detailed results about good and bad flora levels. I just did another simple calprotectin sample a week ago and am waiting for the resulting number. I agree with you that it's hard to think that you have pouchitis without having noticeable symptoms. I had my surgery in 1994, and have only been treated once for pouchitis (with antibiotics)on suspicion. I remember having symptoms enough to call an on-call GI doctor, but forget now what symptoms I had...but they did clear up after the antibiotics.
By the way, my surgeon gave me samples of Balneol (Hygenic Cleansing Lotion)at one of my follow up visits awhile after surgery and I eventually quit Calmoseptine and have used Balneol for 20 years. I certainly don't want to knock a site sponsor (and I know it is good at what it does), but I never go anywhere without this. There are times when burning gets out of control and it is only soothing for a short time....those are probably times that I should go back to Calmoseptine....but all in all it still works for me a lot of the time.
I don't know if any of this was helpful...but, I hope something was....and you're message had good information for me.