Occult blood refers to blood in stool that is not visible to the naked eye but detected chemically.

The test is commonly used as a screening tool for colorectal cancer and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Clinical uses include:

Detecting polyps, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and colorectal cancer.

Evaluating unexplained anemia due to chronic blood loss.

Monitoring patients with gastrointestinal disorders.

Often performed as part of a routine health check‑up or in patients with risk factors for colon cancer.

May be followed by colonoscopy, endoscopy, or imaging studies for confirmation.

Analyte: Hemoglobin in stool (qualitative).

Normal Result: Negative (no occult blood detected).

Abnormal Findings:

Positive occult blood: Indicates gastrointestinal bleeding, which may be due to ulcers, polyps, cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease.

False positives: May occur due to diet (red meat, certain vegetables) or medications.

Clinical Use:

Provides a non‑invasive screening tool for colorectal cancer and GI bleeding.

Helps guide diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment planning.

Supports gastroenterology, oncology, and internal medicine evaluations.