Occult Blood, Gastric
Also known as: GASBLD
Use
The Occult Blood, Gastric test is used to detect hidden blood in the gastric fluid which might indicate bleeding in the stomach or upper gastrointestinal tract. This test aids in diagnosing conditions such as gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, or gastric cancer by identifying small amounts of blood that may not be visible in the vomit or gastric contents.
Special Instructions
Patients are advised to limit the ingestion of raw fruits, vegetables, and incompletely cooked meat as these can affect the test results. Proper specimen collection and handling are crucial.
Limitations
This test is limited to detecting the presence of occult blood in gastric fluid only. It cannot determine the specific source or cause of bleeding nor quantify the amount of blood present. False positives can occur due to dietary influences or improper specimen handling. Fecal specimens are not acceptable for this test.
New York Approved
Methodology
Automated Analyzer (Clinical Chemistry)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 2334-1
- 2749-0
Result Turnaround Time
1 day
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Other
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
ARUP Standard Transport Tube (ARUP Supply #43115)
Patient Preparation
Limit ingestion of raw fruits and vegetables and incompletely cooked meat.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated.
Causes for Rejection
Fecal specimens.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 24 hours |
| Refrigerated | 5 days |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |