Definition:
The iFOBT is a type of fecal occult blood test (FOBT). FOBTs use a chemical reaction to check for the presence of unseen blood in your stool. They may be performed in a doctor's office or at home.
Immunochemical FOBTs (iFOBTs) are a newer and more sensitive option for detecting unseen blood in stool, but they're also more expensive. For example, Colon Health Check is an iFOBT and costs about $35.
The iFOBT stool test detects the presence of hemoglobin, a protein found in blood. The presence of blood in your stool may mean you have colon cancer or other conditions, such as large polyps, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease or stomach ulcers that are causing your digestive tract to bleed.
Also Known As: immunochemical fobt, immunologic fobt, immunoassay fobt
