Lab test · Stool
Stool Occult Blood Test (OBT)
Hidden blood in stool
- Stool sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Hidden blood in stool
This test looks for small amounts of blood in stool that cannot be seen with the naked eye (occult means hidden). Hidden bleeding can come from anywhere in the digestive tract, for example from ulcers, piles, inflammation, polyps or bowel cancer. A positive result tells the doctor that the gut needs to be looked at more closely, usually with an endoscopy or colonoscopy.
Why a doctor may order it
- Iron-deficiency anaemia without a clear cause
- A change in bowel habit, tummy pain or unexplained weight loss
- When other tests suggest slow blood loss from the gut
- As part of bowel cancer screening in adults, when advised by a doctor
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You do not need to fast. Avoid collecting the sample during your period or while piles are bleeding, because this blood can give a positive result. Keep taking your usual medicines unless your doctor says otherwise, and tell your doctor if you take aspirin, a blood thinner or anti-inflammatory painkillers, as these can cause bleeding from the gut.
At home
- Sample
- Stool sample
- How it works
- Pass stool onto a clean, dry surface or paper rather than into the toilet water, then place a small amount in the clean container provided, keeping it free of urine and water. Close the lid tightly and hand it to the collector.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
The report states whether hidden blood was found (positive) or not (negative). A positive result means blood was found and its cause needs to be looked for; it does not mean cancer, and piles, ulcers or inflammation are common causes. A negative result is reassuring but does not rule out a problem, because bleeding can come and go. Your doctor will interpret the result and decide whether further tests are needed.
What's included
One test: Stool Occult Blood Test (OBT), from one stool sample.
Related tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot.
- Serum FerritinFerritin is a protein that stores iron inside the body's cells, and the small amount in the blood reflects how much iron you have stored.
- Stool Routine Examination (Stool R/E)Gut infection & worms৳100
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)CEA is a protein normally present only in very small amounts in adults' blood, but some cancers, particularly bowel (colorectal) cancer, can release more of it, so it is known as a tumour marker.
Questions people ask
Does a positive occult blood test mean I have bowel cancer?
No. Most positive results are caused by other conditions, such as piles, ulcers or inflammation. Your doctor will usually arrange further tests, such as a colonoscopy, to find the cause.
Why test for hidden blood if I feel well?
Some bowel problems, including polyps and early cancer, can bleed slowly without causing symptoms. Finding hidden blood can lead to an earlier diagnosis.
Do I need to give more than one stool sample?
Some types of this test use samples from more than one bowel movement, because bleeding can come and go. Your doctor will tell you if more than one sample is needed.
How much does a Stool OBT test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳190, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Stool OBT test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the stool sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Stool OBT report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.