Stool Occult Blood Test in Kathmandu

About this test

This test looks for blood in the faeces that is present in amounts too small to be seen with the naked eye — hence \"occult\", meaning hidden. A tiny ulcer, polyp, inflamed bowel lining, or early tumour anywhere along the digestive tract can leak a few drops of blood into the stool long before you would ever notice a change, and this test picks up that leakage. The modern faecal immunochemical test (FIT) we usually run reacts specifically to human haemoglobin from the lower bowel, which makes it both convenient and reliable. Doctors order it for several reasons: as a screening tool in people over fifty to catch colorectal cancer at a curable stage, when someone has unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia and the source of blood loss is not obvious, and when there are symptoms such as a change in bowel habit, persistent abdominal discomfort, unintended weight loss, or tiredness. In Kathmandu it is also a useful first step when chronic gut infections, hookworm, amoebic colitis, or peptic ulcers are suspected, as these are common local causes of slow intestinal bleeding. A positive result does not by itself mean cancer — piles, fissures, and gastritis are far more frequent explanations — but it tells your doctor that the bowel needs a closer look, usually with a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy. The result is best interpreted alongside a complete blood count, iron studies, and your symptoms. Because bleeding can be intermittent, screening programmes often repeat the test on more than one sample.

Sample type

Stool (fresh)

Preparation

No fasting required. A small fresh stool sample is collected in the sterile container we provide. For the older guaiac-based method, avoid red meat, raw vegetables such as radish and turnip, and vitamin C supplements for three days before collection; the modern immunochemical (FIT) method we generally use needs no dietary restriction. Do not collect a sample during active menstruation, from bleeding piles, or while passing visible fresh blood.

Turnaround time

Reports for Stool Occult Blood are typically ready within: Same Day. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.

Also known as

Other microbiology tests we run

These are routinely ordered alongside Stool Occult Blood or as part of the same diagnostic workup.

How to book

WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.