Mail-order laboratory test - Occult blood in stool

In physiological conditions, very small amounts of blood are excreted with stool every day. Larger than physiological amounts of blood may appear in stool in the case of certain gastrointestinal diseases.

The test aims to exclude or confirm the presence of even very small amounts of blood in stool - those that do not change its color and consistency. The test for occult blood in stool involves detecting human hemoglobin (a blood component) using immunochromatographic tests in a stool sample. It is used in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases, especially bleeding from various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a screening test for colorectal cancer and is also used in the diagnosis of anemia to determine the cause of iron deficiency. It should be performed annually in individuals over 50 years of age as a preventive measure.

A positive result indicates the presence of blood in the tested stool sample. In such a case, further diagnostics are necessary to determine the cause of bleeding. A positive result may occur in patients with colorectal cancer, polyposis, inflammatory diseases (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), stomach/duodenal ulcers, food intolerances, or anal varices (hemorrhoids). A falsely positive result may occur in the case of bleeding from the gums or nose, when blood enters the gastrointestinal tract, constipation accompanied by bleeding, use of blood-thinning medications, and in women, during menstruation.

In some patients, the test is ordered on stool samples collected from several bowel movements (most commonly three) to avoid false negative results. A negative result, however, does not exclude the disease - it only confirms the absence of stool in the tested sample.

SAMPLING INSTRUCTIONS

General Information

Patient preparation for stool sampling and the method of sampling, storing, and transporting the sample have a significant impact on the reliability of the result. Therefore, it is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations.

When NOT TO COLLECT stool for testing?

The test result will not be reliable if the material for testing is collected during the intake of: antibiotics, antifungal drugs, antipyretic drugs. The test can be performed at least 2 weeks after the end of treatment.

Sample collection and preparation for transport - general rules

For parasite testing, samples should be collected from several places in the stool, from TWO CONSECUTIVE bowel movements, i.e., from two days, each in a separate container. For microbiota and intestinal inflammation testing, ONE sample is sufficient.

Before submitting stool for testing, the bladder should be completely emptied. Stool should not come into contact with water, urine, or cleaning agents (detergents).

1. Take plastic containers with spatulas out of the box.
2. Using a plastic spatula, take samples from several places in the passed stool. The container should be filled no more than halfway.
3. Close the container tightly with the stool sample. Store at room temperature until transportation.
4. Fill in patient data on the slip and sign the order.

ALL SAMPLES with collected material should be packed into a box, remembering to fill out the referral form, and sent to the laboratory address:

ALLERGEN Center for Personalized Medicine
ul. Juliusza Słowackiego 1
97-300 Piotrków Trybunalski

In case of questions regarding the test and test results, please contact the laboratory directly: 517-425-081

Self-collection and sample submission kit