Sign in →

Test Code LAB1727 FIT Fecal Immunochemical Test

Performing Lab

Arnot Ogden Medical Center

Ordering Recommendations

This test is intended for the qualitative detection of fecal occult blood (FOB).
Measurement of FOB is useful as an aid to detect blood in stool when GI bleeding is suspected. This test is recommended for use in routine physical examinations.

Collect

Stool sample collected using a special sample collection device.

Collection Device


OC-Light S FIT Test collection device

Stability (from collection to initiation)

Samples held at room temperature (below 35C) are stable for 15 days.
Samples held refrigerated (2-8C) are stable for 30 days.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Room temperature (below 35C)Room temperature (below 35C)

Room temperature (below 35C) 15 days
Refrigerated (2-8C) 30 days

Methodology

Immunochromatographic lateral flow assay

Start Date

2/19/2021

Last Review Date

8/8/2025

Performed

Monday – Friday

Specimen Handling

Room temperature (below 35C) 15 days
Refrigerated (2-8C) 30 days

Reference Interval

Reference Range: Negative

This test detects levels as low as 10 ug hHb/g stool (50 ng/mL)
 

Interpretive Data

LIMITATIONS:

  1. This test is intended only for the detection of human hemoglobin in feces. It is not advised for use in patients suspected of upper GI bleeding.
  2. Patients with the following conditions should not be considered for testing as these conditions may interfere with test results: bleeding hemorrhoids, constipation bleeding, urinary bleeding, menstrual bleeding.
  3. Certain medications such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause gastrointestinal irritation and subsequent bleeding in some patients and cause positive results.
  4. As with any occult blood test, these results should not be considered conclusive evidence of the presence or absence of GI bleeding or pathology. It is not intended to replace other diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and double contrast barium x-ray.
  5. Because GI lesions may bleed intermittently and blood in feces is not distributed uniformly, a negative test does not assure the absence of a lesion.
  6. Urine and excessive dilution of samples with water from the toilet bowl may cause erroneous results. For best results, use the collection paper provided. This test is not for use with urine, gastric specimens, or other body fluids.
  7. Use of stool specimens that are not collected in the provided Sample Bottle following a bowel movement may affect results due to the instability of hemoglobin in stool.
  8. FOB testing is recommended annually by the American Cancer Society (2008) for average risk men and women, age 50 and older. However, patients with significant risk factors such as family history of colorectal cancer should be screened earlier and more often.

Unacceptable Conditions

Reasons for rejection include but are not limited to :

  • Improper transport media
  • Leaky transport tube
  • Improper storage of sample
  • Mislabeled/unlabeled sample
  • Improper collection of sample
  • Use of an expired collection device
  • Transport time exceeding stability

Lab Section

Microbiology

Collection Instructions

1. Label the device with name, date of birth, and date and time of collection.
2. Place the supplied collection paper inside the toilet bowl on top of the water.
3. Deposit stool sample on top of the collection paper.
4. Collect the sample from the stool before the paper sinks. Avoid specimen contamination with toilet water.

  • Open the green cap by turning left and pulling upwards.
  • Widely scrape the surface of the stool with the sample probe. Alternatively, stab the probe into the stool in 5-6 different spots.
  • The grooved portion of the probe should be completely covered with stool.
  • Close the sample bottle by inserting the probe into the bottle and screwing the cap on tightly. Do not reopen.

Patient Preparation

None