Stool Examination, Routine Test
About Stool Examination, Routine Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Stool R/M, Stool Routine and Microscopic Examination, Faecal Examination, Stool Analysis, Stool Sample Test |
| Sample Type | Stool (faecal sample) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | Within 24 hours |
| Recommended For | All age groups, males and females |
| Price | Starting at ₹140 |
What is a Stool Examination, Routine Test?
A Stool Examination Routine test is a laboratory analysis of a faecal sample to assess the health of the digestive system. It examines the stool both visually and under a microscope to detect signs of infection, inflammation, bleeding, or poor absorption. The test is also referred to as Stool R/M or Faecal Examination. Doctors commonly prescribe it when a patient reports persistent digestive symptoms, such as loose stools, stomach pain, or blood in the stool.
What Does a Stool Examination, Routine Test Measure?
The Stool Examination Routine test looks at several physical and microscopic properties of the stool. Here is what each parameter tells your doctor:
| Parameter | What It Indicates |
|---|---|
| Colour | Reflects diet, bile flow, or presence of blood; normal is brown |
| Consistency | Assesses stool texture; normal is soft and formed |
| Mucus | Presence may indicate intestinal inflammation or infection |
| Occult blood | Detects hidden blood not visible to the naked eye |
| Pus cells (WBCs) | Elevated levels suggest infection or inflammation in the gut |
| RBCs (red blood cells) | Presence may indicate bleeding in the digestive tract |
| Epithelial cells | Small numbers are normal; raised levels may suggest irritation |
| Ova, cysts, and parasites | Detects parasitic infections such as Giardia or Entamoeba histolytica |
| Fat globules | Excess fat may suggest poor absorption of nutrients |
Why is a Stool Examination, Routine Test Done?
Doctors order this test for a range of digestive complaints. It helps identify the cause of symptoms and guides appropriate treatment.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Your doctor may recommend a Stool Examination Routine test if you experience any of the following:
- Diarrhoea lasting more than three days
- Blood or mucus visible in the stool
- Persistent stomach pain or cramping
- Nausea or vomiting continuing over several days
- Unexplained weight loss alongside digestive discomfort
- Bloating or a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The test can help identify a number of gastrointestinal conditions, including:
- Parasitic infections, such as intestinal amoebiasis and giardiasis
- Bacterial or viral gastroenteritis
- Gastrointestinal bleeding from ulcers, haemorrhoids, or anal fissures
- Colon polyps or early signs of colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory conditions such as colitis
- Malabsorption disorders and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
- Dysentery and H. pylori-related infections
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparing correctly for the Stool Examination Routine test procedure helps ensure accurate results. Here is what you need to know before collecting your sample.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required before this test. You can eat and drink normally on the day of sample collection. However, certain foods and medicines must be avoided in the days before the test.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Follow these guidelines to ensure your sample is suitable for testing:
- Avoid meat products for at least three days before collecting the sample.
- Do not take painkillers, iron tablets, or Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) for three days before the test.
- Avoid aspirin and NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) for at least seven days before collection.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, including antacids, antibiotics, and supplements, as some may need to be paused before the test.
- Do not collect a sample during your menstrual period, as menstrual blood can interfere with results.
- Do not use a matchbox or any absorbent material to collect the sample; use only the sterile container provided.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The Stool Examination Routine test procedure is straightforward and non-invasive. Follow these steps carefully:
- Label the sterile container provided with your name, the collection date, and the collection time.
- Place a clean, dry surface (such as a piece of plastic wrap) over the toilet to catch the stool without it touching toilet water.
- Collect approximately 5 grams (roughly one to two teaspoons) of fresh stool and place it into the container using the attached spoon. Ensure the stool does not mix with urine, water, or toilet paper.
- Close the container tightly and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Keep the sample refrigerated (between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius) and submit it to the collection centre promptly.
- At the laboratory, a small smear of stool is placed on a microscope slide and examined manually by a trained technologist.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can affect the reliability of your stool test results:
- Contamination of the sample with urine or toilet water
- Delay in submitting the sample after collection
- Recent use of antibiotics, which can suppress bacterial and parasitic detection
- Taking iron supplements (which may alter stool colour) or Vitamin C before the test
- Collecting the sample from a single area only, as bleeding in the gut may be intermittent
Understanding Your Stool Examination, Routine Test Results
Your doctor will review your results alongside your symptoms and medical history. The table below shows the general reference ranges for each parameter:
| Parameter | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Colour | Brown |
| Consistency | Soft, formed (semi-solid) |
| Mucus | Absent or minimal |
| Occult blood | Negative (not detected) |
| Pus cells (WBCs) | 0 to 5 per high power field |
| Epithelial cells | 0 to 2 per high power field |
| RBCs | Absent |
| Parasites, ova, cysts | Not detected |
| Fat globules | Few or absent |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can influence how your results are read. Antibiotic use before the test can suppress the detection of bacteria and parasites, potentially leading to a false-negative result. If you have recently completed a course of antibiotics, inform your doctor before submitting the sample. Similarly, iron supplements can make stools appear dark or black, which may affect the visual assessment of stool colour.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general wellness habits can support good digestive health:
- Wash hands thoroughly before meals and after using the toilet to reduce the risk of parasitic infections.
- Drink safe, clean water and ensure food is properly cooked to minimise exposure to harmful organisms.
- Include adequate fibre and fluids in your daily diet to support regular, healthy bowel movements.
Lupin Diagnostics Stool Examination, Routine Test Price and Home Collection
The Stool Examination Routine test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹140, and home sample collection is available. The city-wise price breakdown is listed below:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 130 |
| CHENNAI | 200 |
| HYDERABAD | 110 |
| KOLKATA | 130 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 140 |
| PUNE | 120 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers Stool Examination Routine test home collection across cities, making it convenient to get tested without visiting a centre. Samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by trained professionals. Your digital report is shared directly via email or WhatsApp once ready.
How to Book
You can book your Stool Examination Routine test online in a few simple steps:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 24 hours of sample submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
A routine stool examination is a diagnostic test used to assess the health of the digestive system. It analyses the stool both visually and under a microscope to detect infections, inflammation, bleeding, and absorption problems. Doctors order it when a patient reports ongoing digestive symptoms.
No, fasting is not needed before a Stool Examination Routine test. You can eat and drink normally. However, you should avoid certain foods, painkillers, iron tablets, and Vitamin C for three days before collecting the sample, as directed by your doctor.
Use the sterile container provided by the laboratory. Collect a small amount of fresh stool (around 5 grams) using the attached spoon, making sure it does not mix with urine or toilet water. Close the container tightly, label it, and submit it promptly.
No, this test carries no risk. It is completely non-invasive and only requires you to provide a stool sample in a sterile container. There is no needle, no discomfort, and no recovery time.
A count of 0 to 5 pus cells per high power field is considered within the normal range. If pus cells are found in higher numbers, it may suggest an infection or inflammation in the intestines. A doctor should evaluate any abnormal findings in the context of your symptoms and history.
Yes, the microscopic part of this examination can detect parasites, their eggs (ova), and cysts in the stool. It can identify infections caused by organisms such as Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. If a parasitic infection is strongly suspected, your doctor may request samples collected on multiple days to improve detection accuracy.
Stool Examination, Routine Test
