Stool Tests

Diarrhea that won't go away, stomach pain that comes and goes, gas, changes in your bathroom habits or losing weight without trying. Often the cause is in the gut, and the most direct way to find it is a stool test.

What does the sample show?

• Parasites and their eggs, checked under the microscope at the lab (MedlinePlus).
• Bacteria that cause intestinal infections, through a culture when the clinic's medical team orders it.
• Hidden blood, invisible to the eye, which may point to bleeding in the digestive tract.
• General features: consistency, fat, food remnants or signs of inflammation.

The medical team decides which tests to order based on your symptoms, so you don't repeat tests that add nothing.

How do I collect the sample?

1. We give you a clean container and instructions.
2. Collect the stool without mixing it with urine, toilet water or paper.
3. Close the container tightly and write down the date and time.
4. Bring it in as soon as you can; if you can't, ask us how to store it.

When looking for parasites, several samples from different days are sometimes needed, because they don't show up in every one.

Does hidden blood have to do with colon cancer?

Yes. A fecal occult blood test is one of the recommended ways to screen for colon cancer starting at age 45, even without symptoms. If it comes back positive, the next step is usually a colonoscopy with a specialist.

When shouldn't you wait?

If you see blood, have tar-black stools, a high fever, dehydration or very severe pain, get care that same day or go to the emergency room.