Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)

FOBT (Fecal Occult Blood Test)

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Taking some medicines, such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or anticoagulants.
• Using laxatives, vitamin C, or iron supplements.
• Having blood in the urine, menstrual bleeding, hemorrhoids, an anal fissure, bleeding gums, or nosebleeds.
• Eating certain vegetables, such as radishes, turnips or beets, or red meat cooked rare 2 days before the test.
• Using a toilet bowl cleaner at the time of the test.

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Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: August 11, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology
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