What does a positive hemoccult test mean? - Digestive Disorders Message Board

hukleberrie · 09-24-2007, 03:04 PM

I was just told 2 of my 3 heme-occult tests were positive for blood. I have had a weight loss of about 28-30 lbs in 3 months. Appetite still strong. Intense pain in left rib/flank/back area also goes through to front left bottom rib area. No diarrhea or anything like that. Have had hard stools my entire life.... What could this be, I am concerned... Should I be?

ChristineVA · 09-24-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hukleberrie

I was just told 2 of my 3 heme-occult tests were positive for blood. I have had a weight loss of about 28-30 lbs in 3 months. Appetite still strong. Intense pain in left rib/flank/back area also goes through to front left bottom rib area. No diarrhea or anything like that. Have had hard stools my entire life.... What could this be, I am concerned... Should I be?

A positive hemocult test means you have bleeding somewhere in the GI tract. This could be from your stomach all the way down to some anal fissures or hemmorhoids. Occasionally, you can get a false "positive" on a hemocult if you've eaten something during the testing phase that will trigger the reactive dye they use to register (iron supplements, red meat).

You should always be concerned with bleeding in this area. Usually a positive hemoccult leads to a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. Given your symptoms, I would say that you need to have this done. The weight loss and pains are concerning.

hukleberrie · 09-24-2007, 06:48 PM

Thank you for the clarification. I have just never been put under before & am a little nervous about the whole procedure.

I followed the test requirements & did not eat melon or red meat or take any ibuprofen 2-3 days before I started taking the samples. I was pretty careful, I have thought.

I was wondering what anal fissures & hemmorhoids would do. Would I notice them or some type of pain down there or something? I haven't noticed anything new with my bowel movements, really, and no pain down low, so I am just confused as to why I had 2 positive results....

ChristineVA · 09-25-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hukleberrie

Thank you for the clarification. I have just never been put under before & am a little nervous about the whole procedure.

I followed the test requirements & did not eat melon or red meat or take any ibuprofen 2-3 days before I started taking the samples. I was pretty careful, I have thought.

I was wondering what anal fissures & hemmorhoids would do. Would I notice them or some type of pain down there or something? I haven't noticed anything new with my bowel movements, really, and no pain down low, so I am just confused as to why I had 2 positive results....

Most people would notice hemmorhoids are anal fissure. They may not cause a lot of pain but they can cause some irritation and occasionally you might see blood on your toilet tissue (if you happen to be checking). Most people never even LOOK at their stools or what is going on, so while they might have obvious symptoms they are not paying attention.

If you don't have any of these problems, you really need to heed the warning of the test and get it checked out. GI bleeding is NEVER okay. Getting put under for the tests is very easy--it is not the same kind of stuff that they give you for major surgery. It is basically just a sedation that you come out of very quickly. In fact, I woke up several times during my colonoscopy because the sedation was so light.

hukleberrie · 09-25-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

Most people would notice hemmorhoids are anal fissure. They may not cause a lot of pain but they can cause some irritation and occasionally you might see blood on your toilet tissue (if you happen to be checking). Most people never even LOOK at their stools or what is going on, so while they might have obvious symptoms they are not paying attention.

If you don't have any of these problems, you really need to heed the warning of the test and get it checked out. GI bleeding is NEVER okay. Getting put under for the tests is very easy--it is not the same kind of stuff that they give you for major surgery. It is basically just a sedation that you come out of very quickly. In fact, I woke up several times during my colonoscopy because the sedation was so light.

I have been having a lot of problems peeing, too, (I had a kidney infection that started this all off...) so I have been paying a lot of attention to the toilet tissue & the stools in the toilet. I have always had very firm stools & used to go only 3 times a week, but lately I have been going every day while my stools have remained very firm & round. I have noticed some black spots, but no bright red blood of any kind. I am really worried, but my husband thinks it's just because I have such firm poo. I think maybe he questions whether I should do these tests... I guess I will see what the general surgeon tells me.

So, you had this done. Did you have the EGD done at the same time, too? They want to do them both & I am really nervous. I have never had any type of "procedure" or "surgery" ever in my life. I am a very healthy (so I thought) 33 year old woman... Please let me know how these procedures went & what your issue was. Thank you.