Book Occult Blood Test

Any underlying disease or infection, if left untreated, can be hazardous. An occult blood test is done to diagnose colorectal cancer signs or any infection or an ailment in the digestive tract, which may or may not create health issues for an individual. Most of the time gastrointestinal bleeding is microscopic (invisible to the eye) or be seen as red or black blood while defecating. It is abnormal and needs medical intervention. An occult blood test is ordered for further diagnosis. Regular screening is recommended for everyone above 50 years of age.

Mentioned below are the signs and symptoms when your doctor generally orders an occult blood test:

• Change in colour of your stools to black or maroon
• A drop in red blood cells (Anemia)
• Regular low blood pressure
• Lasting abdominal pain

These may be caused by:

• Anal Fissures
• Stomach Ulcers
• Infection in any intestine
• Crohn’s disease

The main aim of this test is to find any blood in the stools, and further the source of bleeding. An occult blood test reports suggest 2 outcomes:

• Positive: A positive result means there are bloodstains found in the stools. But it does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. Now, it is imperative to find the source of bleeding for which your doctor will advise you more tests, like colonoscopy, or gastrointestinal endoscopy, and other technology to find out the source.
• Negative: A negative result means no bloodstains were found in the test. You can get back to the doctor for any necessary recommendations for future risks.

This is an important aspect as wrong preparation can alter the results of the test. As many foods impact the digestive system in several ways, you may be advised a fixed diet to follow 48-72 hours of taking an occult blood test.

Generally, the following foods should be avoided before taking the test:

• No intake of raw vegetables and fruits like, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, grapefruit, mushrooms, radishes, turnip, vitamin-c enriched foods, etc
• No intake of red meat
• Stop taking any medicine before 48 hours of the test. Consult your doctor, if needed

As you will require 3 samples of your stool for occult blood test on each alternate day, it is essential to follow all the guidelines. There are home kits available at most pharmacies and you can collect the samples from the comfort of your home. As the nature of these tests varies, your doctor will advise you of all the precautions to follow.

There are no risks associated with an occult blood test. However, it is best to know the below-mentioned points beforehand:

• Your stool sample may contain harmful bacteria and pathogens.
• To prevent any spread, be careful while collecting the sample and wash your hands thoroughly before and after collecting the sample.