Stool Test
Stool Test
- This test is meant to examine a person’s stool sample for evidence of a disease or condition
- No special preparation is required.
- This test would provide information about physical examination and microscopic examination.
What is a Stool Test ?
A stool test is a medical diagnostic test used to examine a person’s stool sample for evidence of a disease or condition. A stool test can help identify gastrointestinal anomalies such as colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, infections, parasites, and the presence of blood.A symptom-specific stool test can be beneficial in diagnosing a variety of gastrointestinal disorders. This type of test can help identify abnormal bacteria, yeast, or parasites in the digestive tract. It can also help to determine the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation..
Reported Parameters
Physical Examination
- Color
- Consistency
- Mucus
- Blood
Microscopic Examination
- Pus cells
- RBCs
- Ascaris Lumbricoides
- Hookworm
- Trichuris trichura
- Entrobious Vermicularis
- Tenia Solium
- Tenia Saginata
- E Histolitica
- Giardia
All The Questions that you might have
- What are different types of stool tests ?
- What are the symptoms for which a stool test is done ?
- How important is a routine stool examination ?
- What diseases are diagnosed by Stool Test ?
Several different stool test types help diagnose various gastrointestinal disorders. Some of the most common tests include the following:
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): It helps looks for the presence of hidden blood in the stool, which can be a sign of colorectal cancer. The FOBT cannot identify the source of blood, in contrast to the FIT. This test necessitates the collection of three different stool samples.
- The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): It helps determines whether any blood discovered in the feces has a connection to the lower intestines. One stool sample is all that is needed.
- Stool DNA Testing: In this test, the stool DNA is examined to find the presence of colorectal cancer. Only one sample of stool is required.
- Fecal Fat Test: This test measures the amount of fat in the stool, which can be a sign of malabsorption disorders such as celiac disease (e.g., autoimmune disorder — gluten intolerance).
- Stool Culture Test: This test helps diagnose bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Ova and Parasite Exam: This examination looks for parasitic infections such as giardiasis.
- Clostridium Difficile Toxin Test: It looks for the presence of toxins produced by the bacteria.
Your stool is made up of wastes from consumed foods, water, and digestive secretions. It usually passes through your body once or twice a day. However, changes in your diet, medications, or lifestyle can cause your stool to become abnormal.
An abnormal stool can be watery, hard, or sticky. It can also be greasy, foul-smelling, or contain floating matter. If you experience any of these changes, it’s essential to see your doctor so they can perform a stool test.
A stool test is an essential tool that can help your doctor diagnose various conditions, including certain types of cancer. So if you have any changes in your stool and are in unusual discomfort, don’t delay to consult a specialist.
Your doctor will recommend you to take the HbA1c test, if you suffer from some specific symptoms. The common symptoms are:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing wounds
Stool tests detect various conditions, including infections, allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease. Diagnosis can be difficult, especially when symptoms are vague. A stool test may not be the first diagnostic tool used, but that doesn’t mean ignoring its significance in medical reality.
