Stool Routine Test

What does the Stool Test measure?

The Stool Test provides valuable insights into your digestive system health by examining multiple aspects:

• Physical characteristics - Colour, consistency, and form of your stool
• Presence of blood - Hidden blood may signal ulcers, polyps, or colorectal cancer
• Infections - Identifies harmful parasites, bacteria, or viruses causing gastrointestinal illness
• Inflammatory markers - Checks for white blood cells indicating inflammation from infections or inflammatory bowel disease
• Fat content - High fat levels suggest malabsorption disorders like pancreatitis or coeliac disease
• Chemical properties - Measures pH levels and other chemical indicators

Stool Test: Who Needs It and Why It's Done

What Symptoms May Call for a Stool Test?

Your doctor may recommend a Stool Test if you experience any of these digestive symptoms:

• Persistent diarrhoea lasting more than a few days
• Blood or mucus visible in your stool
• Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever accompanying digestive symptoms
• Excessive gas or changes in bowel habits

Who should get a Stool Test?

• Patients with digestive symptoms - Anyone experiencing the symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea, blood in stool, abdominal pain etc.
• Routine health screening - Adults undergoing routine full body checkup
• High-risk individuals - People with family history of gastrointestinal diseases
• Treatment monitoring - Patients checking the effectiveness of ongoing treatments
• Travel-related illness - People experiencing digestive issues after travelling

Why is a Stool Test done?

A Stool Test is a crucial diagnostic tool that helps doctors identify the specific cause of digestive symptoms, from simple bacterial infections to serious conditions like cancer, enabling accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.

Importance of a Stool Test

The Stool Test is clinically significant because it provides direct insight into your digestive system health without invasive procedures. This comprehensive analysis helps doctors diagnose gastrointestinal infections, detect early signs of bleeding, identify malabsorption disorders, and monitor inflammatory bowel conditions. Early detection through stool testing can prevent complications and ensure timely, targeted treatment for optimal digestive health.

Stool Test Booking & Reports – Metropolis Healthcare India

How to Book a Stool Test?

1. Simple Online Booking
   Booking can be done through the Metropolis Healthcare App or website. Select Stool Test, choose a convenient time slot, and provide your address for a stool test at home. You can also visit the nearest Metropolis Lab if you prefer to give the sample directly at the lab.
2. Safe Home Sample Collection
   Our trained phlebotomists ensure timely collection of your sample while strictly following all safety and hygiene protocols.
3. Sample Tracking Updates
   Stay informed at every step. From collection to testing, you can track your sample directly through the Metropolis Healthcare website.
4. Accurate Laboratory Testing
   Your sample is processed at our NABL & CAP accredited laboratories, where expert technicians ensure accurate results.
5. Quick & Easy Reports
   Receive your test reports promptly via email, WhatsApp, or by downloading them directly from the Metropolis Healthcare website or app.

Is home sample collection for Stool Test available near you?

Yes, home sample collection for Stool Test is available across multiple locations through Metropolis Healthcare. Our trained professionals ensure safe, hygienic sample collection at your home, following strict protocols. This eliminates the hassle of visiting a pathology lab while maintaining the same high standards of accuracy.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Stool Test Report?

Reports are usually available the next day by 6:00 PM once the sample reaches the lab.

Note: Reporting time and cost may vary depending on your location.

Where can I see or get Stool Test results?

Test results from Metropolis Healthcare can be accessed through multiple convenient channels. You can log in to the Metropolis website using your credentials or use the Metropolis Healthcare App to view and download your reports. Additionally, test reports are sent via email or WhatsApp and you also have the option to collect a physical copy directly from the lab.

Interpreting Stool Test Results

What Your Stool Test Results May Indicate

The following table explains what different Stool Test parameters mean and their normal ranges:

Conditions that May Affect Stool Test Accuracy

Several factors can influence your Stool Test results and should be discussed with your doctor:

• Certain medications, particularly antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines, and blood thinners, may affect results
• Recent dietary changes, especially consuming red meat or iron supplements, can influence blood detection tests
• Dehydration may concentrate stool substances, potentially altering consistency and chemical markers
• Recent illness, stress, or changes in bowel habits may temporarily affect stool characteristics
• Contamination during sample collection can lead to false results, making proper collection technique essential

• Recent use of laxatives or enemas can dilute the sample and impact results

How is a Stool Test Done?

The Stool Test involves a simple sample collection process that you can complete at home:

• You receive a sterile, leak-proof container from the pathology lab or collection team
• Collect approximately 5 grams of fresh stool sample in the provided container
• Ensure the sample is collected without contamination from urine or toilet water
• Label the container with your name and collection details
• Deliver the sample to the lab or hand it to the collection team within the specified time
• The laboratory examines the sample under microscopy for various parameters

How Should You Prepare for a Stool Test?

Preparing for your Stool Test is straightforward and requires minimal effort:

• No fasting required - You can eat and drink normally before collecting the sample
• Collect fresh sample - Use the sterile container provided by the laboratory
• Avoid contamination - Ensure the sample doesn't mix with urine or toilet water
• Inform about medications - Tell your doctor about any medicines you're taking
• Follow collection instructions - Use the guidance provided by the healthcare team for proper sample collection

Diseases that a Stool Test Can Help Detect

The comprehensive Stool Test can help identify various health conditions affecting your digestive system:

• Bacterial infections caused by Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli
• Parasitic infections including Giardia, amoeba, and intestinal worms
• Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Gastrointestinal bleeding from ulcers or other sources
• Malabsorption disorders affecting nutrient absorption
• Colorectal cancer through occult blood detection
• Food poisoning and gastroenteritis
• Lactose intolerance and other digestive enzyme deficiencies

Stool Test/Packages that You Can Book With Metropolis Healthcare

Here are related tests and packages available at Metropolis Healthcare to support your digestive health risk assessment:

Stool Test Prices in Different Cities

The Stool Test cost may vary depending on your location. Here's a table showing the approximate prices in different cities: