Occult Blood Immunochemical Stool
What is this test?
Stool for Occult Blood - Immunochemical assay is used to determine whether hidden (occult) blood is present in human feces or stool. The presence of occult blood cannot be identified with the naked eye. Presence of occult blood in the stool can be due to bleeding in the digestive tract. Variety of conditions that can cause bleeding in the digestive tract are ulcers, hemorrhoids, colitis, diverticulosis, etc. Blood in the stool may also be due to colon cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum.
Why this test is performed?
This test is considered an early screening test for colorectal cancer. Your doctor may advise you to perform this test annually if you are aged 50 and above or if you have a family history of colorectal cancer due to high risk. This test is one among many tests to confirm colorectal cancer. Your doctor may also ask you to perform this test to screen conditions that cause bleeding in the lower digestive tract such as hemorrhoids, constipation, cancer etc.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Occult Blood Immunochemical Stool. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Occult Blood Immunochemical Stool.
No specific preparation is required for this test. This test detects only the presence of human hemoglobin in the feces and chances of false-positive results are very less. Therefore it is not necessary to stop using certain medications or follow any dietary restrictions. However, your doctor may give you the appropriate instructions to be followed.
Understanding your test results
If the test results are positive it indicates that you may have abnormal bleeding somewhere in the lower digestive tract. This test does not detect the presence of human hemoglobin in the feces resulting from the bleeding in the upper digestive tract. The positive test result does not clearly confirm that you have colorectal cancer. Your doctor may ask you to perform a few more additional tests such as colonoscopy to locate the source of the bleeding. Based on the test results, your doctor may advise appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests.
If the test results are negative it indicates that no blood is detected in the stool sample. If this test is performed in individuals aged 50 and above as part of a screening test for colon cancer then you are at average risk. However, your doctor may ask you to perform this test every year if you are aged 50 and above.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | Presence of antibodies that detect human blood indicates a positive Occult Stool Blood Test |