The fecal occult blood test refers to the examination of the patient’s stool to monitor whether there is lurking blood in the stool, thereby diagnosing the patient’s lesions. It is a method commonly use in clinical practice.
1. Specific methods of fecal occult blood test
The most commonly use method for this test is the hemodynamic method (also know as the chemical reagent method), which refers to the use of special chemical reagents to monitor hemoglobin and other components in the stool.
If there is more blood in the stool, it is positive; conversely, if there is less blood or no blood in the stool, it is negative. Generally speaking, a positive reaction occurs when the daily bleeding volume reaches 5 ml.
2. The main function of fecal occult blood test
Many gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastric cancer , colon cancer , hookworm disease , and gastric and duodenal ulcers, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, which can lead to adverse symptoms such as blood in the stool and vomiting blood. This test is mainly use to monitor whether the gastrointestinal tract is bleeding, which is an important basis for diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases.
3. Precautions for fecal occult blood test
The requirements for fecal occult blood tests are relatively strict. Any slight mistake will lead to the adverse consequences of false positives. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the following aspects:
(1) The person being examin should abstain from foods containing too much chlorophyll, meat, or iron-containing medications three days before the examination.
(2) No surgery on the digestive system can be perform before the examination.
(3) Keep the test equipment clean and hygienic.
