Stool Occult Blood Test:Price, Purpose, Range & Reports

Test Overview

Your gut does more than just digest food—it supports immunity, metabolism, and mental well-being. When you experience digestive issues like bloating, fatigue, or irregular bowel habits, it may signal an imbalance in your digestive system. The Stool Occult Blood test, available at Apollo 24|7, is a simple yet essential diagnostic tool to detect hidden (occult) blood in your stool, which can be an early sign of gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, polyps, or colorectal cancer.

This test is easy to perform with a stool sample collected at home or at a diagnostic centre. It helps identify bleeding in the digestive tract even when there are no visible symptoms. With convenient online booking, home sample collection, and digital report access, the Stool Occult Blood test provides a reliable way to monitor your gut health proactively and catch potential issues early before symptoms become severe.

What is the Stool Occult Blood test?

The Stool Occult Blood test from Apollo Diagnostics is a simple yet crucial diagnostic tool designed to detect hidden (occult) blood in the stool, which can be an early indicator of gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers, polyps, infections, or colorectal cancer. This non-invasive test helps identify bleeding in the digestive tract even when there is no visible blood, enabling early intervention and better management of gut health.

The test involves collecting a small stool sample, which can be done comfortably at home. The sample is then analysed in Apollo’s accredited laboratories to detect the presence of blood that is not visible to the naked eye. Fast and accurate results are usually available within 24-48 hours.

Recommended for individuals experiencing unexplained digestive symptoms, routine screenings, or those at risk of gastrointestinal diseases, the Stool Occult Blood test offers reliable insights to safeguard digestive wellness. It is easily accessible across major cities in India via Apollo 24|7, with convenient online booking, home sample collection, and digital report access.

What is the Stool Occult Blood test Price?

The price of the Stool Occult Blood test at Apollo Diagnostics varies depending on your location, the laboratory processing the sample, and whether you choose additional services like home sample collection. Generally, it is an affordable and essential test for early detection of hidden blood in the stool, which can indicate gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers or colorectal cancer.
Factors influencing the final cost include:

• Geographic location: Prices may vary between cities due to local operational costs.
• Service options: Home collection may add a nominal fee.
• Lab accreditation: Tests processed in NABL-accredited labs ensure higher quality and may affect pricing.
• Offers and packages: Booking through Apollo 24|7 often includes discounts or cashback offers.

For accurate and up-to-date pricing, it is recommended to check Apollo 24|7’s website or app, where you can also book the test conveniently with options for home or lab sample collection and quick digital report access.

What is the Purpose of the Stool Occult Blood test?

The primary purpose of the Stool Occult Blood test is to detect hidden blood in the stool that cannot be seen by the naked eye. This test serves as an important screening tool to identify early signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, which could be due to conditions like ulcers, polyps, colorectal cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease.

• Doctors typically recommend the Stool Occult Blood test for the following key reasons:
• Routine Screening: Adults aged 45 and above as part of regular colorectal cancer prevention.
• Family History: Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps requiring early monitoring.
• Unexplained Symptoms: Those experiencing unexplained anemia, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits.
• Gastrointestinal Disease History: Patients with a prior history of ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or diverticulitis.
• Risk Factors: People with lifestyle risks such as smoking, obesity, or sedentary habits, wanting preventive check-ups.
• Follow-up Testing: Patients needing reassessment after a previous abnormal gastrointestinal finding or treatment.
• Symptomatic Patients: Anyone with symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal bleeding or occult blood detected in other tests.

This test enables early diagnosis and timely intervention, thereby playing a critical role in protecting digestive health and preventing serious complications.

Who Should Get a Stool Occult Blood Test?

The Stool Occult Blood test is a widely used, non-invasive screening tool that detects hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of gastrointestinal conditions ranging from benign polyps and ulcers to colorectal cancer.

• Individuals aged 45 and above are part of routine colorectal cancer screening.
• People with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps requiring early monitoring.
• Those experiencing symptoms like unexplained anemia, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss.
• Patients with a history of gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or diverticulitis.
• Individuals with risk factors like smoking, obesity, or a sedentary lifestyle are seeking preventive screening.
• People are advised by their healthcare provider to undergo follow-up testing after previous abnormal gastrointestinal findings.
  Anyone with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding or occult blood detected in other tests.

This test serves as an essential early warning tool to detect hidden blood in the stool, enabling timely further evaluation and intervention.

Components of the Stool Occult Blood test?

The Stool Occult Blood test is a simple and non-invasive way to check for hidden blood in your stool, which may be a sign of digestive health issues. It includes these main parts:

• Stool Sample: You collect a small sample of your stool, usually at home, with an easy-to-use kit.
• Multiple Days: You may need to collect samples from a few different bowel movements for accurate results.
• Test Materials: The sample is tested using special strips or cards that react if there is any blood present.
• Diet and Medicine Advice: Before the test, you might be asked to avoid certain foods like red meat or veggies and some medications that could affect results.
• Lab Testing: The sample is sent to a lab where professionals run tests to detect even tiny amounts of blood you can’t see.
• Quality Checks: The lab uses controls to ensure the results are trustworthy.

This easy test helps catch early signs of problems like ulcers, polyps, or colorectal cancer before symptoms start, supporting timely treatment and better health.

Understanding a Stool Occult Blood test

Here is a simple guide to help you understand Stool Occult Blood test results:

What a Positive Test Indicates:

A positive result means tiny amounts of blood were found in your stool. This could come from various sources, like benign polyps, ulcers, haemorrhoids, or potentially serious conditions like colorectal cancer. Further medical evaluation will be needed to find the exact cause and decide on treatment.

What a Negative Test Indicates:

A negative result means no blood was detected in your stool sample. This usually suggests that there is no bleeding in your digestive tract at the time of testing. However, because bleeding can be intermittent, your doctor may recommend repeating the test periodically for screening purposes.

Important to Remember:

The test doesn’t specify where the bleeding is coming from, just that blood is present or absent.
Certain foods, medications, or conditions, such as menstruation, can sometimes cause false positive or false negative results.
Always review your Stool Occult Blood test results with your healthcare provider for accurate interpretation and guidance.

This test is a valuable, non-invasive screening tool for early detection of digestive tract problems, helping promote timely diagnosis and care.

Preparation and Procedure for Stool Occult Blood test?

How is the Test Done?

You will collect a small sool sample at home using a simple, sterile kit provided by the lab or clinic. Usually, samples from 2-3 different bowel movements over consecutive days may be required for more accurate results.

Is Fasting Required for This Test?

No fasting or special dietary restrictions are generally needed. However, your healthcare provider may advise avoiding red meat, certain raw vegetables, vitamin C supplements, and some medications like aspirin a few days before and during the test to prevent false positives.

What Time of Day Should I Do the Test?

You can collect the stool sample at any convenient time during the day according to the instructions provided with the test kit.

How Frequently Should I Undergo the Test?

For routine colorectal cancer screening, it is often recommended once a year after age 45. Your doctor may suggest more frequent testing if you have risk factors or symptoms related to gastrointestinal bleeding.

Booking Stool Occult Blood Test Online & Accessing Reports on Apollo 24|7

A. How to Book the Test  

• Visit the Apollo 24|7 website or open the Apollo mobile app.  
• Search for “Stool Occult Blood Test.”
• Check the current test price for your location and click the ‘Book Now’ button.
• Select your preferred date and time slot for home sample collection or choose to visit a nearby Apollo Diagnostics Centre.
• Complete the secure online payment to confirm your booking. You will receive instant confirmation and instructions if any preparation is needed.

B. How to Access Your Test Reports

• Log in to your Apollo 24|7 account via the website or app using your registered phone number or email.
• Go to the ‘Health Records’ or ‘My Reports’ section on your dashboard.
• Select your completed Stool Occult Blood test to view detailed results.
• You can download your report in PDF format for easy sharing with your physician.
• Most reports are available within 10-15 hours after sample collection, ensuring prompt access to your health

Conclusion

The Stool Occult Blood test is a simple, non-invasive screening tool that detects hidden blood in stool, helping identify early signs of digestive tract issues like ulcers, polyps, or colorectal cancer. It enables timely diagnosis and alert for further investigation. The test requires stool samples collected at home over multiple days and may need dietary adjustments to avoid false results. Easy online booking and fast digital reports make it convenient for routine gut health monitoring.