Does The Nature of the Sample Affect The FIT Test Results?
I’m a 33-year-old female experiencing significant changes in my bowel patterns for over eight months. My symptoms include frequent diarrhea and stool that resembles pencils, with no typical bowel movements, and occasionally, there is blood present. In an attempt to understand these changes, I meticulously monitored my diet to see if it had an impact, but that yielded no improvements. Eventually, I consulted with my doctor, who recommended both a FIT and calprotectin test. For the test, I had a rare instance of passing a solid stool that was nearly the size of a grape, which was the only type I could manage to collect. However, immediately after submitting the sample, I experienced one of my usual, concerning bowel movements. The results of both tests indicated no issues, which is certainly reassuring, yet I find myself puzzled. I’m wondering if the fact that I provided a sample of a solid stool—rather than one from my frequent, thinner stools—has any relevance to the accuracy of the findings. I appreciate any insights you might have as I feel quite uncertain about the situation.
Answers (1)
3/25/2025, 8:01:04 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to have concerns about your bowel changes, especially given your symptoms. Your experience with the stool tests and the nature of the samples can definitely leave you feeling uncertain. Here are some key points to consider:
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Sample Type and Test Accuracy: The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is designed to detect hidden blood in the stool, and it's generally effective regardless of the stool consistency. However, it is based on the presence of hemoglobin, which can vary with different stool formations. Solid stool samples are generally acceptable, but if the majority of your stools are thin or liquid, it is possible you might miss detecting blood in those forms during routine testing.
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Underlying Causes of Symptoms: The changes in your bowel patterns, including thin stools and the presence of blood, warrant continued monitoring and possibly further investigation. Even though the initial tests came back normal, ongoing symptoms could indicate conditions that might need different approaches to diagnosis.
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Monitoring Symptoms: Since your symptoms have persisted for more than eight months, keep a detailed diary of your bowel movements, diet, any accompanying symptoms (such as pain, weight loss, or fatigue), and share this information with your healthcare provider. This can provide valuable context for further evaluation.
Next Steps:
- Symptom Tracking: Continue to document your bowel movements and any changes in your symptoms. Note the consistency of your stools and any accompanying symptoms like abdominal pain or changes in appetite.
- Follow-Up: Reach out to your doctor with your ongoing concerns and the details from your symptom diary. Discuss the possibility of further investigations, such as a colonoscopy, especially given your symptoms and the presence of blood in your stools.
- Dietary Insights: While you've monitored your diet, consider discussing it further with a dietitian who can help identify any potential triggers or recommend specific changes that might ease your symptoms.
It's completely normal to feel anxious about these issues, but being proactive and organized in your approach is a positive step. Please don't hesitate to seek reassurance and support from your healthcare provider.
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