Stool Test
ST
Description
"Stool Test" evaluates digestive health by analyzing a stool sample for infections, malabsorption, or enzyme deficiencies. Doctors may recommend it when symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, or gas persist without a clear cause. The test can reveal carbohydrate malabsorption, fat maldigestion, or microbial imbalance. Based on results, care may involve dietary changes, enzyme support, or further testing. This non-invasive tool helps identify gut imbalances early and supports targeted treatment for long-term digestive well-being.
Category
Microbes
Procedure
Non-Invasive
Sample Type
Stool
Units
Not Applicable
Procedure Category
Measure
Test Group
Microbial Assessment Group, Infection Group
Test Group Description
Microbial Assessment Group: Tests in this group analyze microbial presence and activity in various samples, offering insights into microbial populations and their impact on health. They help identify specific microorganisms, assess microbial diversity, and evaluate microbial functions in different environments. Infection Group: Tests within this group detect markers indicative of various infections, aiding in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases.
Optimal Range
For All Individuals:
Result: Negative: No abnormalities detected.
Normal Range
For All Individuals:
Result: Negative: No abnormalities detected.
Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)
Abnormal results may indicate:
Celiac disease (Autoimmune disorder affecting the small intestine triggered by gluten consumption)
Clostridium difficile infection (Bacterial infection causing severe diarrhea)
Crohn's disease (Inflammatory bowel disease causing inflammation of the digestive tract)
Cryptosporidium infection (Parasitic infection leading to gastrointestinal symptoms)
- ...
Key Reasons For Testing
Infectious Disease Screening: Detects pathogens responsible for gastrointestinal infections, aiding in diagnosis and targeted therapy.
Ova and Parasite Examination: Identifies parasitic infections, diagnosing conditions like giardiasis or amoebiasis.
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): Screens for hidden blood, assisting in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding or colorectal cancer.
Fecal Calprotectin Measurement: Measures intestinal inflammation, helping diagnose and monitor inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess
Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.
Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test
Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.
References
Important Note
Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.
Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.
Disclaimer
This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.
Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.
[1] Garcia LS. Clinical significance of stool tests in gastrointestinal diagnostics. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1997;10(1):86-116.
[2] Cheesbrough M. Best practices for stool examination in tropical settings. Trop Med Int Health. 2006;11(9):1341-1347.
[3] Bartlett JG, Gorbach SL, Finegold SM. Comprehensive bacteriology of stool samples. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1974;109(5):546-552.
[4] Tille PM. Stool analysis methodologies in clinical laboratories. Am J Clin Pathol. 2013;140(2):174-181.
[5] Forbes BA, Sahm DF, Weissfeld AS. The diagnostic role of stool analysis. J Clin Microbiol. 2015;22(7):633-639.
[6] Levinson W. The utility of stool tests in parasitic and bacterial infection detection. Am J Med Sci. 2012;344(3):185-190.
[7] Winn WC Jr, Allen SD, Janda WM. Stool diagnostics for infectious diseases: modern approaches. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46(1):58-64.
[8] Mahon CR, Lehman DC. Diagnostic advancements in stool tests for gastrointestinal diseases. Am J Clin Pathol. 2018;148(3):312-317.
[9] Murray PR, Baron EJ, Jorgensen JH, Landry ML, Pfaller MA. Stool specimen processing in clinical microbiology. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2007;20(2):139-144.
[10] Guerrant RL, Van Gilder T, Steiner TS, et al. Practice guidelines for the management of infectious diarrhea. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;32(3):331-351.
[11] Musher DM, Rubenstein E. The diagnostic yield of stool tests in diarrhea cases. J Infect Dis. 1973;127(4):376-381.
[12] Noriega LM, Giraldo MI. Role of stool tests in helminthic infection diagnosis. Rev Trop Med. 2009;14(2):150-157.