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Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
Synonyms
FIT, iFOBT, Fecal immunochemical test (FIT), FOB, Occult Blood, FOBT
Purpose of The Fecal Occult Blood Test
The Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) is a non-invasive screening test that detects hidden (occult) blood in stool samples.
This test is crucial because the presence of occult blood may be an early sign of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, including colorectal cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcers, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Early detection of occult blood can help identify serious conditions before symptoms develop, improving treatment outcomes, especially in colorectal cancer screening. Doctors often recommend regular FOBT screening for adults over 50 or those at risk for gastrointestinal diseases.
For a complete diagnosis, the FOBT can be performed alongside other tests, including: Colonoscopy, Flexible sigmoidoscopy, Complete blood count (CBC), and Fecal immunochemical test (FIT).
Patient Preparation
The patient is not subjected to any restrictions.
Samples
One polymer OC-auto Sampling bottle with stool. Polymedco OC-auto Sampling bottle. Fecal samples should not come into contact with any toilet water and should be maintained at room temperature.
Reference Range
Negative/Normal
Results Turnaround
3 days after receipt of samples.
Diseases / Diagnostic Indicators of Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
A positive test result means the stool contains hidden (occult) blood. This could be an early warning sign of various conditions, such as: colorectal cancer, polyps in the colon or rectum, gastrointestinal ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, Hemorrhoids or anal fissures (in some cases).
A negative result means no blood was detected in the stool at the time of testing. However, it does not completely rule out gastrointestinal problems, especially if symptoms persist, since bleeding may occur intermittently.
In either case, abnormal results usually require follow-up tests, such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, to determine the exact cause of the bleeding.
For more thorough information about the implications of FOBT, read this study.