Fecal Occult Blood (Immunoassay)

The test may be performed if an individual sees blood in their stool, which can be bright red or black like tar. The test may also be performed even if the individual does not see blood in their stool. 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. 

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: May 24, 2019