Clinical Significance
The fecal occult blood test is an immunochromatographic fecal occult blood test that qualitatively detects human hemoglobin from blood in fecal samples. This is a useful screening aid for detecting primarily lower gastrointestinal (G.I.) disorders that may be related to iron deficiency anemia, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, polyps, adenomas, colorectal cancers or other G.I. lesions that can bleed. It is recommended for use by health professionals as part of routine physical examinations and in screening for colorectal cancer or other sources of lower G.I. bleeding.
Alternative Name(s)
InSureâ„¢,Stool Hemoglobin,Stool Blood,FOBT,Occult Blood
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria
Stool submitted in any container • InSure™ FOBT cards with stool applied to the sample windows • Any test card with obvious blood present • Received refrigerated • Received frozen
Test Prep: No special diet or avoidance of drugs or supplements is required for the InSureâ„¢ test. Stool sample card needs to be picked up at a service center or can be mailed for $5.95. To receive by mail call our cutomer support center at 1-888-845-2283, 1-888-84LabTest.
Preferred Specimen(s)
Fecal specimen collected from toilet water and brushed on the InSureâ„¢ FOBT test card
Fecal Globin by Immunochemistry (InSure(R))