Stool occult blood test procedure step by step in lab

Learn about “Stool occult blood test procedure step by step in lab”.

Gastrointestinal bleeding can occur for various reasons and may not always be evident. Hidden blood in the feces, also known as occult blood, can be an indicator of this type of bleeding.

To detect the presence of occult blood, a medical diagnostic test called the Stool Occult Blood Test is used. In this article, you will learn about the principle, procedure, and steps involved in performing an Occult Blood Test.

Principle of Stool Occult Blood Test

The Occult Blood Test works by detecting the presence of heme, the iron-containing component of hemoglobin, in the feces.

Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen in the blood, and when bleeding occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause small amounts of hemoglobin to be excreted in the feces. The Occult test uses a special chemical reagent to react with heme, resulting in a color change that indicates the presence of occult blood.

Stool Occult Blood Test procedure step by step in the lab

Here are the steps involved in performing an Occult Blood Test:

• Obtain a Stool Sample: The patient is typically provided with a special collection kit, which includes a small brush or stick to obtain a sample of feces.
• The collected sample is then transferred to the test card, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• The test card is then left to incubate for a specified amount of time, typically 5 to 10 minutes.
• After the incubation period, the test card is checked for the presence of a color change, which indicates the presence of hidden blood in the feces.
• If the test is positive, it indicates the presence of hidden blood in the feces and the patient may require further diagnostic testing. If the test is negative, it suggests that there is no hidden blood in the feces and no further testing is required.

NOTE: It’s important to follow the instructions carefully and avoid eating certain foods, such as red meat, that can interfere with the test results, before performing the FOBT.

Conclusion

The Stool Occult Blood Test (FOBT) is a simple, non-invasive medical diagnostic test that can detect the presence of hidden (occult) blood in the feces. By following the procedure steps outlined above, it’s possible to accurately determine the presence or absence of occult blood.