Indicator Explainer
Fecal Occult Blood
Blood in the feces that is not visibly apparent.
This page explains what the indicator is and how results are interpreted in general terms. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, the method, and your own situation — no single “normal value” applies to everyone. This page is health information, not a diagnosis. For symptoms, treatment, or urgent concerns, contact a healthcare professional.
When it is tested
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C113708. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-20. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Reading results
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also Known As
References
- NCI Thesaurus 26.09d — Fecal Occult Blood (C113708)
- Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C113708. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
- Non-Invasive and Cost-Effective Fecal Occult Blood Detection for Colon Cancer Prognosis in Murine Models. — J Vis Exp, 2026-10-16 (PMID 42891625; literature)
- Effectiveness and Safety of Colorectal Cancer Screening Via Fecal Occult Blood Testing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. — J Gastrointest Cancer, 2026-09-23 (PMID 42776379; literature)
- Diagnostic Indications and Endoscopic Correlates of Fecal Occult Blood Testing in Hospitalized Patients. — Diagnostics (Basel), 2026-09-10 (PMID 42793706; literature)
- Vital ileoscopy: a step beyond colonoscopy in positive fecal occult blood test. — Rev Esp Enferm Dig, 2026-09-01 (PMID 41020934; literature)