Fecal Occult Blood (Immunoassay)

Certain types of bleeding from the Gastrointestinal tract may be microscopic, this is known as occult blood. Blood may be in your stool due to many different causes. Some reasons are:

• Ulcers
• Hemorrhoids
• Growths or Polyps in the colon
• Colon Cancer
• Chron's Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Diverticulitis

It is important to always follow up and be evaluated by a physician if a Fecal Occult Blood test is positive to identify or rule out causes of possible intestinal bleeding.

Collection Instructions: Place collection paper inside toilet bowl on top of water. Deposit fecal sample on top of collection paper. Do not allow fecal sample to contact toilet water until after specimen has been collected. Open the green cap on the sampling bottle by twisting and pulling upwards. Scrape the surface of the fecal sample with the sampling probe. Cover the grooved portion of the sampling probe completely with the fecal sample. Close the sampling bottle by inserting the sampling probe and snap the green cap on tight. Do not reopen. Flush remaining stool and used collection paper. Return the sampling bottle to the laboratory. Results may take 3 to 5 business days upon receipt of the specimen.

When ordering the Fecal Occult Blood test (FIT), it is required to go to the laboratory PSC to obtain the proper specimen container and instructions prior to collection.  You must take in your requisition form when you go to the laboratory PSC to pick up your specimen collection kit and when you are dropping your specimen off to the laboratory PSC.

For LabCorp: 

• Specimen collection kit pick up: An appointment to pick up the specimen collection kit is not required, but is encouraged. Remember to take in your requisition form to show the staff so they can provide you with the correct collection supplies. 
• Specimen drop off: An appointment is not required, but is encouraged. You must sign in at the laboratory PSC when dropping off your specimen. The Phlebotomist will verify your drop off by reviewing your requisition form and the specimen you are submitting.

For Quest Diagnostics: 

• Specimen collection kit pick up: An appointment to pick up the specimen collection is required. Remember to take in your requisition form to show the staff so they can provide you with the correct collection supplies.
• Specimen drop off: An appointment to drop off your specimen is required. The Phlebotomist will verify your drop off by reviewing your requisition form and the specimen you are submitting.

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Jul 25, 2022