Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

Price: 30 د.ا

The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is a non-invasive, at-home screening tool designed to detect trace amounts of human hemoglobin in stool—an early warning sign of colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal disorders. Unlike traditional guaiac-based tests (gFOBT), FIT specifically targets human blood, reducing false positives from dietary sources.

How FIT Works

• Target: Human hemoglobin from red blood cells.
• Sample: A small stool specimen collected at home.
• Analysis: Laboratory immunoassay that binds and measures hemoglobin with high specificity.

Normal Results

• Negative: No blood detected.
• Positive: Blood detected—requires follow-up.

Normal ranges do not vary by age or sex; FIT is reported simply as negative or positive.

What a Positive FIT Means

A positive FIT result indicates the presence of blood in the stool and may be due to:

• Colorectal polyps or cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis)
• Hemorrhoids or anal fissures
• Other sources of lower GI bleeding

Important: A positive FIT is not a diagnosis of cancer. A colonoscopy (or other imaging) is required to identify the bleeding source.

Advantages of FIT

• Non-invasive and user-friendly
• No dietary or medication restrictions before testing
• High specificity for human blood

Limitations of FIT

• May miss lesions that do not bleed regularly
• False positives can occur (e.g., upper GI bleeding, sample contamination)
• A negative FIT does not guarantee absence of disease

Who Should Be Screened?

• Adults 50 years and older (or 45 in some guidelines)
• Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer
• People with unexplained GI symptoms (e.g., chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I take FIT?
   Annual testing is recommended for average-risk adults aged 50+ (or per your clinician’s advice).
2. Does a positive FIT always mean cancer?
   No—it signals bleeding. Follow-up colonoscopy will determine the exact cause.
3. Can menstrual blood affect my FIT result?
   Yes. Avoid testing during menstruation to prevent a false positive.
4. Do I need to fast or change my diet?
   No. FIT requires no dietary or medication preparation.
5. What if my FIT is positive?
   Contact your healthcare provider promptly for a diagnostic colonoscopy or other evaluations.

Why Early Detection Matters

Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, but early detection dramatically improves treatment success. Prompt follow-up of a positive FIT can catch precancerous polyps or early-stage cancers—often curable—before symptoms develop.

Conclusion

The FIT is a simple, accurate, and widely recommended screening test for detecting hidden blood in the stool. By integrating an annual FIT into your preventive care routine—especially if you’re over 50 or at increased risk—you empower yourself to catch gastrointestinal issues early, when interventions are most effective. If you receive a positive result, timely medical evaluation is essential for diagnosis and management.

Medical Laboratory Professionals’ primary duty is the patients, placing their welfare above their own needs and desires thus ensuring that each patient receives the best service and the highest quality of care according to current standards of practice. High quality laboratory services are safe, effective, efficient, timely, equitable, and patient-centered. Medical Laboratory Professionals work with all patients and samples without regard to disease state, ethnicity, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Medical Laboratory Professionals prevent and avoid conflicts of interest that undermine the best interests of patients. Learn More