The Hemoccult® test checks for hidden blood in stool, which can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding. It uses guaiac to react to heme in the blood, but can also react to certain dietary factors. The test is cost-effective and can help identify conditions such as polyps and cancer. It is not recommended for patients with obvious bloody stools.
A Hemoccult® test is a medical test used to check for hidden blood in the stool. Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can sometimes occur at a very low level, with no visible blood in the stool. Catching bleeds when they are relatively small can be important in providing timely and appropriate medical treatment for patients with gastrointestinal bleeds. Patients can collect samples at home or have samples taken at the clinic or hospital.
The Hemoccult® is part of a family of tests known as fecal occult blood tests (FOBT). The “occult” in the name does not refer to esoteric religious practices, but rather to the hidden nature of blood associated with small hemorrhages. These tests can be designed in different ways and Hemoccult® tests are based on a substance called guaiac, which responds to heme in the blood. These tests are not as sensitive as the newer tests that look for globin in stool.
To use a Hemocult® test, patients or doctors smear a small stool sample on a card and drip hydrogen peroxide onto the sample. If heme is present, it will react to rapidly oxidize the guaiac and cause a rapid color change. Otherwise, a color change will still occur, but much more slowly. This test allows doctors to identify levels of blood loss as low as a few teaspoons a day. It is possible to have a false negative if patients lose less blood than this or if a sample is taken from relatively clean stools.
This test can also react to certain dietary factors, especially red meat. Patients may be instructed to comply with fasting instructions before a sample is drawn, depending on the version of the Hemoccult® test being used. It is important to follow these guidelines to avoid getting a false positive test.
Using Hemoccult® tests are a quick and cost-effective way to screen patients for gastrointestinal bleeding associated with conditions such as polyps, cancer and other intestinal diseases. This allows your doctor to determine if further tests, such as endoscopy to look for sites of bleeding, are needed. The test is not recommended for patients with obviously bloody stools, as the presence of blood confirms the presence of bleeding and indicates that it is advisable to go straight to diagnostic tools to find and treat the bleeding. If people find blood in their stools, they should contact a doctor right away.
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