What does a positive guaiac test indicate?

For the FOBT, a positive test result indicates that abnormal bleeding is occurring somewhere in the digestive tract. As we’ve stated, this blood loss could be due to a number of things besides cancer, so if the test finds blood, a colonoscopy will be needed to look for the source.

What causes guaiac positive stool?

Abnormal results may be due to problems that cause bleeding in the stomach or intestinal tract, including: Colon cancer or other gastrointestinal (GI) tumors. Colon polyps. Bleeding veins in the esophagus or stomach (esophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy)

What color is a positive guaiac test?

Background: In guaiac-based faecal occult blood tests (FOBT), blue colours are considered positive. Blue-green colours should also be considered positive. Distinct green colours are said to be due to bile and it is stated that these should be interpreted as negative.

What conditions would a positive occult blood test indicate?

Overview. The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a lab test used to check stool samples for hidden (occult) blood. Occult blood in the stool may indicate colon cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum — though not all cancers or polyps bleed.

What is a positive stool test?

A positive fecal occult blood test means that blood has been found in the stool. Your doctor will have to determine the source of the bleeding, either by doing a colonoscopy or by doing an examination to determine if the bleeding is coming from the stomach or small intestine.

What does it mean if you test positive for blood in stool?

Blood in your stool means there is bleeding in the digestive tract. The bleeding may be caused by a variety of conditions, including: Polyps, abnormal growths on the lining of the colon or rectum. Hemorrhoids, swollen veins in your anus or rectum.

What does heme positive stool mean?

A positive result means that occult blood has been detected in your stool. It doesn’t mean that you have colorectal cancer. If the results of your hemoccult test come back positive, then you’ll need to have a colonoscopy to determine the source of the blood.

Does iron Make stool guaiac positive?

1989;96(1):74. Most studies show that oral ingestion of iron does not cause a positive stool guaiac reaction. However, all in vitro studies show that iron does cause a positive guaiac reaction and some in vivo studies have shown a positive stool guaiac reaction in response to oral iron.

What does positive occult stool mean?

What does positive stool test mean?

An abnormal or positive FIT result means that there was blood in your stool at the time of the test. • A colon polyp, a pre-cancerous polyp, or cancer can cause a positive stool test. With a positive test, there is a small chance that you have early-stage colorectal cancer.

How does a guaiac test work?

A test that checks for occult (hidden) blood in the stool. Small samples of stool are placed on special cards coated with a chemical substance called guaiac and sent to a doctor or laboratory for testing. A testing solution is put on the cards and the guaiac causes the stool sample to change color.