A fecal occult blood test looks for blood in a sample of stool. It can find tiny amounts of blood that can't be seen just by looking at the stool. The medical term for this hidden blood is occult blood. A fecal occult blood test is one option for colon cancer screening in people who don't have any symptoms. Occult blood in the stool may be a sign of cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum. Polyps are growths of cells that aren't cancers but could become cancers. Not all cancers or polyps bleed.
If a fecal occult blood test finds blood, more tests may be needed to find the source of the bleeding. The fecal occult blood test only can detect if blood is present or not present. It can't find the source of the bleeding.
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Negative result. If no blood is detected in the stool, the test result is negative, suggesting no gastrointestinal bleeding at the time of testing.
Positive result. If blood is detected, the result is positive. However, a positive result does not necessarily indicate cancer or a serious condition. There are many benign reasons for blood to appear in the stool, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or gastric ulcers. Further testing, such as colonoscopy, may be recommended to determine the cause of the bleeding.
False Positive & False Negative Certain foods, medications, or conditions may cause false-positive results, while bleeding that is intermittent or very small may result in a false-negative test. This is why the test is often used as part of a larger diagnostic workup..
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Guaiac-based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT): This is the traditional method and relies on the chemical guaiac to react with hemoglobin in the blood.
Immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood Test (iFOBT): This newer method uses antibodies to detect human hemoglobin specifically, which tends to provide more accurate results compared to the guaiac test.
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What does the Occult Blood Test Measure ?
This test is primarily used to identify early signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be a symptom of various medical conditions, including colorectal cancer, ulcers, and polyps. Early detection of these conditions can significantly improve treatment outcomes, making the FOBT a crucial diagnostic tool.
Abnormal levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin or hematocrit may be a sign of anemia, heart disease or low iron levels in your body.
Low white cell count may be a sign of an autoimmune disorder, bone marrow disorder, or cancer.
High white cell count may be a sign of an infection or a reaction to medicine.
Low platelet count can be a signal of blood cancer, alcoholic liver disease, viral infections like HIV, Hepatitis etc.
Why should I do the Occult Blood Test ?
If you have certain symptoms, such as abdominal pain, fatigue, pain around your rectum or rectal bleeding then your doctor may recommend a fecal occult blood test. The most common reason for an FOBT is to screen for colorectal cancer.
On its own, a fecal occult blood test can’t diagnose colorectal cancer or any digestive issue. Depending on the results of your FOBT, you may need more testing to confirm a diagnosis.
How is the Occult Blood Test Done ?
The most common method for collecting the stool sample is using a collection kit that your doctor provides. The kit will contain everything you need to take a sample of your stool and return it to Maurya Labs for analysis. The stool is examined under the microscope to check for any blood in the stool.
What foods should I avoid before taking the test?
For the guaiac-based Occult Blood Test, you may be advised to avoid red meat, certain vegetables and certain medications for a few days before the test as they can interfere with the results. Follow your doctor’s dietary instructions carefully.
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Mob : +91-92 34 34 4301
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Rajhata, Binodpur, Katihar,
Bihar - 854105
Mob : +91-92 34 34 4301
