Diagnostic Tests for Loose stool

Diagnostic Test list for Loose stool:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Loose stool includes:

• Physical examination
  • Abdominal examination for tenderness and a mass - e.g. a mass in the right lower abdomen may suggest bowel cancer or diverticulitis; a mass on right, left or upper abdomen may also suggest bowel cancer; tenderness in the left lower abdomen, with or without a significant mass may suggest ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis or irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Xamine rectum for hemorrhoids and anal fissure that may be causing a positive occult blood test
  • Examine for signs of systemic diseases that may cause loose stools - e.g. tremor and increased heart rate of hyperthyroidism; considerable flushing of carcinoid syndrome; hyperpigmentation of the skin in Addison's disease; and dermatitis and dementia of pellagra.
• Blood tests
  • Full blood count and ESR, Electrolytes and thyroid function tests if systemic disease is suspected to be the cause of diarrhea
  • Salmonella antibodies (not useful in acute situation)
  • Amoeba antibodies (not useful in acute situation)
  • HIV test, if suspected on history
  • Gastrin level, if suspect a gastrinoma (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
• Stool tests
  • Test for occult blood (if positive may suggest infectious disease of the large intestine or small intestine, ulcerative colitis, bowel cancer, diverticulitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
  • Stool microscopy for ova, parasites and culture for bacteria
  • Giardia antigen
  • Clostridium difficile toxin B, if history of antibiotic use
  • 24 hour Stool analysis of fecal fat - if steatorrhea is present (i.e. fatty, pale colored, extremely smelly stools that float in the toilet and are difficult to flush away due to excess fat in the stool).
• Urine tests
  • Urine collection for microscopy and culture, if person with loose stools is a child. Children with Urinary tract infections may have loose stools
  • 5-HIAA, if suspect Carcinoid syndrome
• Radiological investigations
  • Barium enema
  • Sigmoidoscopy and/or colonoscopy with or without a small bowel aspiration and biopsy - if loose stools persist or if blood is present ( may be required to detect bowel cancer, bowel polyps, celiac disease, Giardia infection.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Loose stool causes:

• Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Tests
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Tests
• Food Allergies & Intolerances: Home Testing:
  • Home Food Allergy Tests
  • Home Food Intolerance Testing
  • Home Water Testing
  • Home Lead Poisoning Tests
  • Home Heavy Metal Poisoning Tests
• Digestive-Related Home Testing:
  • Home Stomach Ulcer Tests
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Test Kits
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Test Kits

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