Stool Test
Infection · Blood
Available at 0 labs
No lab currently offers this test.
About this test
What is a Stool Test?
A stool test examines a sample of your bowel contents to look for signs of infection, inflammation, bleeding, or parasites. It helps doctors understand what’s happening inside your digestive tract.
Key Parameters
| Parameter | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Microbial culture | Presence of bacteria that can cause diarrhea or abdominal pain |
| Ova & parasite exam | Detection of worm eggs or protozoa |
| Fecal occult blood | Hidden blood that may indicate ulcers, polyps, or colorectal cancer |
| Fecal calprotectin | Marker of intestinal inflammation, useful in inflammatory bowel disease |
| Fecal leukocytes | White blood cells that suggest infection or inflammation |
Why is it done?
- To investigate unexplained diarrhea, abdominal pain, or weight loss
- To screen for intestinal infections in travelers or immunocompromised patients
- To monitor inflammatory bowel disease or other chronic gut conditions
- To rule out bleeding sources when other tests are inconclusive
Early Detection
The test can help identify signs of infections, inflammatory bowel disease, or colorectal bleeding, but it does not diagnose a condition on its own. A doctor interprets the result together with symptoms, history, and other tests.
What Abnormal Results May Indicate
- High bacterial counts – possible bacterial gastroenteritis
- Positive occult blood – potential ulcers, polyps, or colorectal cancer
- Elevated calprotectin – likely inflammatory bowel disease or other intestinal inflammation
- Parasite eggs – intestinal worm infection
Many factors such as recent diet, medications, or dehydration can influence results, so abnormal findings are considered in context.
Who Might Need This Test?
- Adults with chronic or acute gastrointestinal symptoms
- Travelers returning from areas with high infection risk
- Patients with known inflammatory bowel disease needing monitoring
- Individuals with unexplained anemia or occult bleeding
Quick Takeaway
A stool test checks for bacteria, parasites, blood, and inflammation in your gut. It’s a key tool for diagnosing infections and monitoring chronic digestive conditions, but results must be interpreted by a clinician.
Used for detecting / monitoring
Before your test
- Fasting: No fasting is required for a stool test.
- If combined with fasting tests: Follow the longest fasting period required by any test in the panel.
- Sample collection: Use the kit provided by the lab. Collect a small amount of stool in the supplied container, seal it, and keep it refrigerated if instructed. The entire process takes about 5–10 minutes.
- Discomfort: None; the test is non‑invasive.
- Precautions: Avoid taking antibiotics or antiparasitic drugs for at least 48 hours before the test if you are being screened for infections, unless your doctor says otherwise.
- After collection: Deliver the sample to the lab within the time frame specified by the provider.
Please confirm specific preparation steps with your doctor or the lab. This information is general educational content and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Sample type: Blood
Report parameter guide
Occult Blood
Detects hidden blood in stool
Low: No blood detected
High: Blood present, may indicate bleeding in GI tract, ulcers, polyps, or colorectal cancer
White Blood Cells
Counts immune cells in stool
Low: Low WBC count, may indicate no infection or low inflammation
High: High WBC count, may indicate bacterial infection, inflammatory bowel disease, or intestinal inflammation
Bacterial Culture
Identifies growth of bacteria
Low: No bacterial growth, may indicate no bacterial infection
High: Positive bacterial growth, may indicate pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, or E. coli
Parasite Examination
Looks for parasites or eggs
Low: No parasites detected, may indicate no parasitic infection
High: Parasites detected, may indicate infections like Giardia, Entamoeba, or helminths
Viral PCR
Detects viral genetic material
Low: No viral DNA/RNA detected, may indicate no viral infection
High: Viral nucleic acid detected, may indicate infections such as Rotavirus, Norovirus, or Adenovirus
Fecal Calprotectin
Measures inflammation marker in stool
Low: Low calprotectin, may indicate no intestinal inflammation
High: High calprotectin, may indicate inflammatory bowel disease or severe colitis