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What Causes Blood In Stool In Elderly?

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Posted on Wed, 1 Apr 2015
Question: hello doctor,

I am 56, I have taken the tests to check to see if blood is in my stool....tests come back negative. I have soft stools on occasion. I have regular movements and no pain. is it my diet? I don't smoke anymore and use a e-cig.
thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Colonoscopy should be done.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

What kind of test it was? gFOBT or iFOBT (enzymatic or immunologic). Please note that for this test it is necessary to have it done 3 times in 3 consecutive stools. Single test can detect only 30% of all bleeding. This is not much.
It is also proven that this test decreases colon cancer mortality rate only by 30%. That is why, in case of such symptoms colonoscopy is what you should have done. Without this test, you can not be sure about colon cancer.
It can be diet. It can be also gastrointestinal infection, hyperthyroidism and many more.

So if your colonoscopy will be clear, stool test, stool culture test and thyroid tests should be done next.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (38 minutes later)
GLOBIN 1, STOOL

have had it done the last three years with negative results.

on the diet, I do use artifical sweetners as well.

thanks, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This test is a good one. But colonoscopy would be better.

Detailed Answer:
Globin 1 is a immunologic test. This is good test. But still it does not rule colon cancer in 100%. So I suggest you to have colonoscopy either way. Stool test and stool culture test seems also advisable.
Artificial sweeteners are not a healthy thing for sure. Its better to use regular sugar than this.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5798 Questions

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What Causes Blood In Stool In Elderly?

Brief Answer: Colonoscopy should be done. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. What kind of test it was? gFOBT or iFOBT (enzymatic or immunologic). Please note that for this test it is necessary to have it done 3 times in 3 consecutive stools. Single test can detect only 30% of all bleeding. This is not much. It is also proven that this test decreases colon cancer mortality rate only by 30%. That is why, in case of such symptoms colonoscopy is what you should have done. Without this test, you can not be sure about colon cancer. It can be diet. It can be also gastrointestinal infection, hyperthyroidism and many more. So if your colonoscopy will be clear, stool test, stool culture test and thyroid tests should be done next. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.