A stool analysis is a series of tests done on a stool (feces) sample to help diagnose certain conditions affecting the digestive tract. These conditions can include infection (such as from parasites, viruses, or bacteria), poor nutrient absorption, or cancer.
For a stool analysis, a stool sample is collected in a clean container and then sent to the laboratory. Laboratory analysis includes microscopic examination, chemical tests, and microbiologic tests. The stool will be checked for colour, consistency, amount, shape, and the presence of mucus. The stool may be examined for hidden (occult) blood, fat, meat fibres, bile, white blood cells , and sugars called reducing substances. The pH of the stool also may be measured. A stool culture is done to find out if bacteria may be causing an infection.
Why It Is Done
Stool analysis is done to:
- Help identify diseases of the digestive tract, liver, and pancreas. Certain enzymes (such as trypsin or elastase) may be evaluated in the stool to help see how well the pancreas is working.
- Help find the cause of symptoms affecting the digestive tract, such as prolonged diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, an increased amount of gas, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, belly pain and cramping, and fever.
- Screen for colon cancer by checking for hidden (occult) blood.
- Look for parasites, such as pinworms or Giardia.
- Look for the cause of an infection, such as bacteria, a fungus, or a virus.
- Check for poor absorption of nutrients by the digestive tract (malabsorption syndrome). For this test, all stool is collected over a 72-hour period and then checked for fat (and sometimes for meat fibres). This test is called a 72-hour stool collection or quantitative fecal fat test.
How To Prepare
Many medicines can change the results of this test. You will need to avoid certain medicines depending on which kind of stool analysis you have. You may need to stop taking medicines such as antacids, antidiarrheal medicines, antiparasite medicines, antibiotics, laxatives, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for 1 to 2 weeks before you have the test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the non-prescription and prescription medicines you take.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have:
- Recently had an X-ray test using barium contrast material, such as a barium enema or upper gastrointestinal series (barium swallow). Barium can interfere with test results.
- Travelled in recent weeks or months, especially if you have travelled outside the country. This helps your doctor look for the parasites, fungi, viruses, or bacteria that may be causing a problem.
If your stool is being tested for blood, you may need to avoid certain foods for 2 to 3 days before the test. This depends on what kind of stool test you use. And do not do the test during your menstrual period or if you have active bleeding from hemorrhoids. If you aren’t sure about how to prepare, ask your doctor.
Do not use a stool sample for testing that has been in contact with toilet bowl cleaning products that turn the water blue.
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How It Is Done
Stool samples can be collected at home, in your doctor’s office, at a medical clinic, or at the hospital. If you collect the samples at home, you will be given stool collection kits to use each day. Each kit contains applicator sticks and two sterile containers.
You may need to collect more than one sample over 1 to 3 days. Follow the same procedure for each day.
Collect the samples as follows:
- Urinate before you collect the stool so that you do not get any urine in the stool sample.
- Put on gloves before handling your stool. Stool can contain germs that spread infection. Wash your hands after you remove your gloves.
- Pass stool (but no urine) into a dry container. You may be given a plastic basin that can be placed under the toilet seat to catch the stool.
- Either solid or liquid stool can be collected.
- If you have diarrhea, a large plastic bag taped to the toilet seat may make the collection process easier; the bag is then placed in a plastic container.
- If you are constipated, you may be given a small enema.
- Do not collect the sample from the toilet bowl.
- Do not mix toilet paper, water, or soap with the sample.
- Place the lid on the container and label it with your name, your doctor’s name, and the date the stool was collected. Use one container for each day’s collection. Collect a sample only once a day unless your doctor gives you other directions.
Take the sealed container to your doctor’s office or the lab as soon as you can. You may need to deliver your sample to the lab within a certain time. Tell your doctor if you think you may have trouble getting the sample to the lab on time.
If the stool is collected in your doctor’s office or the hospital, you will pass the stool in a plastic container that is inserted under the toilet seat or in a bedpan. A health professional will package the sample for lab analysis.
You will need to collect stool for 3 days in a row if the sample is being tested for quantitative fats. You will start to collect stool on the morning of the first day. The samples are placed in a large container and then refrigerated.
You may need to collect several stool samples over 7 to 10 days if you have digestive symptoms after travelling outside the country.
Sometimes a stool sample is collected using a rectal swab that contains a preservative. The swab is inserted into the rectum, rotated gently, and then withdrawn. It is placed in a clean, dry container and sent to the lab right away.