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Stool Occult Blood Test

Dr. Spurti KattimaniLast Updated on 9th February 2022

A stool occult blood test helps detect the presence of blood in the stool or faeces of a person. The presence of hidden (occult) blood in stool can indicate various abnormal health conditions related to the gastrointestinal tract. Microscopic bleeding from the digestive system may not be caught by the naked eye. If the stool occult blood test confirms the presence of blood in your stool sample, your doctor may prescribe other tests to detect the source and cause of bleeding. The doctor will then provide you with an appropriate treatment plan for the same.

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What is the Stool Occult Blood Test used for?

A stool occult blood test is considered positive if blood is detected in the stool sample. The stool test confirms whether you have a healthy gastrointestinal tract or not. If not, then timely medication is necessary. The bleeding can be due to various reasons like:

Inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease).
Stomach or intestinal infections.
Stomach ulcers.
Colon (large intestine) ulcers.
Haemorrhoids/Piles (swollen blood vessels near the anal or lower rectum region).
Anal fissures (tears in the muscle lining of the lower intestinal or anal tract).
Diverticular diseases (formation of tiny pockets or sacs in the large intestine).
Cancerous growth (benign or malignant).

What is included in a Stool Occult Blood Test?

The stool occult blood test is conducted by a certified lab technician or a medical expert from a recognised medical laboratory. The Hemospot Test is widely used for screening the blood in the human faecal specimen. The test kit contains Guaiac resin-based paper, a developing solution, and positive control. The stool sample can be applied on the resin-based paper with the applicator stick. The developing solution reacts with the blood cells (if present) in the sample to produce a blue colour, unlike the positive control. The colour change confirms the presence of blood in your faecal sample.

Procedure for a Stool Occult Blood Test

An experienced lab technician from MFine will arrive at your doorstep at a chosen time to collect your stool samples.
For better analysis, it is best to provide samples from at least three different bowel movements. Consult a medical expert on how to collect the stool samples.
The samples will be brought to the laboratory for further testing and analysis.
The report will be analysed by the laboratory expert before confirming the results.
Once the test report is ready, it will be available for viewing and downloading on the MFine app within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Book a Stool Occult Blood Test to check your fecal blood level!

How to prepare for a Stool Occult Blood Test?

It is important to remember and follow certain instructions before you undergo the test. The doctor mostly suggests not to eat and drink the following:

Beets
Red meat
Broccoli
Mushrooms
Turnips
Grapefruit
Carrots
Vitamin-C rich foods
High caffeine or alcohol intake, etc., for 48-72 hours before your test to prevent them from affecting your results.
Medications like painkillers, aspirin, blood thinners, corticosteroids, etc.

If you are under any other medications, kindly consult your doctor before the stool blood test is conducted.

Things to consider after a Stool Occult Blood Test is complete

Once your stool test is complete, you need to consult your doctor with the test reports. Please do not self-diagnose.
If your test is detected positive, it means you are likely to bleed from somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.
To confirm the cause and sight of bleeding, your doctor may prescribe additional tests like colonoscopy, MRI scans, and/or biopsy before starting the treatment plans.
If you had stopped any medicines before the stool occult blood test, consult your doctor before resuming them.

What types of infection can a Stool Occult Blood Test detect?

A stool occult blood test can detect certain infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Chronic infections can also cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Infectious diarrhea caused by harmful bacteria or parasites can be detected through the immunochemical stool occult blood test.
A positive test result can also be an indication of the early stages of colorectal cancer in humans.
Other reasons can be ulcers, diverticulitis, constipation, piles, and/or polyp growth.

It is best to confirm from an expert doctor before assuming the diagnosis on your own.

How much does a Stool Occult Blood Test cost?*

In India, the Hemospot kit costs roughly around Rs. 700/- to Rs. 850/- from a recognised company on online platforms. The equipment has to be stored and used as per the instructions provided on the kit. If you are unsure of using an at-home kit, you can book an appointment with the MFine app at an accredited lab of your choice. At an approved laboratory, the stool test is priced from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 250/-. The cost will be extra if you are prescribed to undergo a colonoscopy, scans, stool analysis and DNA, and other additional tests.

*Disclaimer: The value varies based on location, time, and your preferred lab partner.

How long does it take to get the results for a Stool Occult Blood Test?

You can expect to get the results for stool occult blood tests within 24 to 48 hours after the sample is collected. However, in certain cases, depending on the location, medical advice, and preferred lab partner, it may take longer.

What do abnormal Stool Occult Blood Test results indicate?

The normal stool occult blood test will indicate the absence of blood traces or any other microscopic evidence of bleeding in the fecal sample. The consistency and the content of the feces are also analysed.
On the contrary, if you are tested positive, it means you are bleeding internally in the digestive tract. Abnormally high levels of hemoglobin, which is more than 2 to 3 milligrams of hemoglobin per gram of stool sample (mg/gm), can indicate serious complications in the gastrointestinal tract.
The abnormal results or false-positive results can also be due to the consumption of certain foods, drinks, or medicines like painkillers. It is strictly recommended not to self-analyse the test reports or self-medicate for the same.
The doctor can also recommend extra tests for confirmation of the diagnosis. Only after the illness is diagnosed will you be prescribed appropriate medicines.

Disclaimer: Please consult with your doctor for interpreting the test reports accurately.

Is the Stool Occult Blood Test a definitive test?

The stool occult blood test can only confirm whether there are microscopic blood traces present in your stool sample. It cannot detect the specific reason for gastrointestinal bleeding. The stool occult blood test is not definitive. To confirm the cause and the location of bleeding, the doctor will recommend further imaging tests like scans or colonoscopy before prescribing any medication.

How to read a Stool Occult Blood Test report?

Negative result

A healthy, normal adult usually shows less than 2 to 3 milligrams of hemoglobin per gram of stool sample (mg/gm). A healthy result of the stool occult blood test would be the absence of blood cells, bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, mucus, or undigested meat products in your stool sample.

Positive result

The abnormal result could indicate underlying gastrointestinal issues in your body. Higher values of haemoglobin, which is more than 2 to 3 mg/gm in the stool sample, are associated with various tumour growth (benign and/or malignant), especially in the large intestine. Additional tests or biopsy has to be performed to confirm the prognosis of cancer. Other causes of bleeding could be chronic microbial infection, ulcers, blood vessel inflammation, and swelling, etc.

If your results are positive, avoid self-diagnosis to prevent confusion and panic. Instead, consult with top doctors from India’s trustworthy hospitals via chat, audio, or video calls on the MFine app. After the online consultation, you can easily follow up with the respective doctor in person within the next five days.

Book a Stool Occult Blood Test to check your fecal blood level!

Why book a Stool Occult Blood Test?

To detect the causes of abdominal pain, discomfort, fever, nausea, low hemoglobin, sudden weight loss, stool colour change, and/or constipation.
To monitor the risk of developing any chronic gastrointestinal diseases or disorders.
To screen for any existing digestive tract problems.
To rule out internal bleeding issues.

You can book a Stool Occult Blood Test on the MFine app and also gain an advantage through online consultations, long-term care plans, and medicine delivery.

Stool Occult Blood Test at home – how does it work?

The stool occult blood test is a routine lab test. A lab technician visits your home and gives you a plastic, sterile container to collect the stool sample. Place something in the toilet to collect the stool, such as a clean plastic food container or plastic sheet. Make sure that stool doesn’t touch the inside of the toilet. Use a clean spoon or spatula that comes with the container to collect the stool till the 1/3rd mark, then screw the lid shut.

Are there any risks involved with a Stool Occult Blood Test?

Like any other medical test, stool occult blood tests come with certain disadvantages. Certain medications, food products, red meat, and drinks can alter the test results. The test can be unreliable in such cases. Therefore, it is necessary to inform the doctor or the lab technician about the food and medicines that you consume before taking the stool occult blood test. There are no apparent health risks involved in taking the test after following the necessary guidelines prescribed by your doctor.

What can affect the results of a Stool Occult Blood Test?

Various factors are involved, which can affect the stool occult blood tests. Ask your doctor about food and medicine consumption before booking an appointment for the test.

Medication like painkillers, anticoagulants, and others can result in false-positive blood tests.
Citrus foods, carrots, cauliflowers, turnips, cucumbers, and red meat may remain undigested if eaten before the occult blood test. The traces of meat blood can also produce a false-positive result.
The result can be false-negative if the cancerous mass remains intact and does not bleed. In such cases, the early-stage cancers might go undetected. Therefore, the test is not always accurate.

Book a Stool Occult Blood Test to check your fecal blood level!

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Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs

Are the lab technicians fully vaccinated against COVID?

Yes. Our lab technicians are fully vaccinated. Further, they also ensure safety throughout by wearing a mask, gloves and frequently sanitizing themselves during the sample collection.

Does MFine provide the interpretation for the results along with the reports?

Yes, MFine provides the interpretation for the result along with the reports. You can also avail a free medical consultation with a doctor to understand your reports accurately. The doctor will also advise and prescribe medicines, if required, based on the results.

How can I download my stool occult blood test report?

Login to MFine
Go to your profile
Click on Attachment and Reports
Click on Lab Report
Download the report

Are there any discount offers running on stool occult blood tests?

Usually, you can avail of up to a 50% discount on stool occult blood tests through MFine. However, the discount and test price may vary based on lab partner and location.

Do I need to fast before the stool occult blood test?

There are certain dietary and medicine restrictions to be followed for the stool occult blood test. It is best to consult your doctor before stopping any medication.

Is it normal to lose blood in the stool?

The normal amount of invisible blood lost via the stool is roughly 0.5-1.5mL every day. Values greater than that, indicate gastrointestinal problems. The treatment plan depends upon the diagnosis through colonoscopy.

Can the stool occult blood test detect colon cancers?

No. The stool occult blood test only detects if you have any bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. To confirm cancer diagnosis and prognosis, the doctor may recommend colonoscopy or biopsy.

Who should get the stool occult blood test done?

Men and women of all ages from 0 to 99, who experience recurring constipation, stomach pain, discomfort, or fever, can undergo this test. The positive test results confirm problems in the gastrointestinal tract, for which you must consult the doctor for appropriate treatment.

Can dehydration cause blood in stool?

Dehydration can result in hard stools that cause constipation and injury to the anus or rectum, which results in minor bleeding while passing the stools. The bleeding stops once the underlying issue of dehydration has been resolved.

What is good to eat when you have hemorrhoids/piles?

You are advised to consume a fibre-rich diet that contains legumes, whole grains, sweet potatoes, squash, apples, pears, and bananas in case of hemorrhoids. Drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid alcohol, processed meats, spicy and oily foods, and caffeinated beverages.

Disclaimer: The content is uniquely informative and is meant for educational use. Kindly use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified or registered healthcare provider.