The usefullness of faecal haemoglobin, albumin and α-1-antitrypsin in the detection of gastrointestinal bleeding

Abstract

A pilot study was undertaken to find out whether faecal haemoglobin, albumin and α-1-antitrypsin from patients with gastrointestinal disorders could distinguish active bleeders from non-active bleeders and healthy volunteers. Alpha-1-antitrypsin is not as readily degraded by endogenous and bacterial breakdown as haemoglobin and albumin and consequently could be a better marker for occult bleeding.