How are stool samples tested?

Are you feeling a bit poo-ish lately? Are you experiencing any weird symptoms that make you feel like something’s not right down under? Well, don’t get your panties in a twist just yet because the first step to solving this mystery is by getting a stool sample test!

Yes, yes, we know it’s not the most glamorous thing to do. But trust us when we say that taking care of your bowel health is always worth the slight discomfort.

So how exactly are stool samples tested? Let’s dig deep into this brown matter (pun intended) and find out what happens behind the lab doors.

Collecting Your Precious Poop

Before anything else, you need to collect your precious poop (yep, we said it). But fear not! The process is fairly simple and straightforward.

You’ll be given a sterile container with a spoon-like apparatus attached to its lid. All you have to do is defecate onto some plastic wrap on top of your toilet bowl and use the spoon part to scoop up approximately one teaspoon or more of solid fecal matter (gags).

Make sure not to touch any surfaces or contaminate the sample with urine or water from flushing. Once done, place it back in its container which should then be properly sealed for transport.

But wait! Before shipping off your specimen for testing let’s look at some options:

  • Odor eliminating spray – nobody wants their co-workers knowing they’re transporting feces
  • Latex gloves – sometimes being too hygienic feels less yukky.

As an interesting diversion there exists alternatives methods available such as:

1) The Floating Method – Involves straining defaecation through fine mesh sieve above warm water

2) Film Slides – sticking special film tapes around doorways so poop adheres like silly putty

What Happens After You’ve Turned in Your Treasured Turd?

Once your stool sample has been collected and sealed, the next step is sending it to a clinical laboratory where it will be analyzed by medical technologists. These lab experts work on a variety of specimens such as feces, blood and even bone marrow (interesting)!

The stool samples are then prepared for various testing procedures which include:

Macroscopic Examination

Yes everyone “MACROSCOPIC EXAMINATION,” seems like something straight out of a sci-fi movie but believe us when we say that this process involves nothing more than checking out the physical properties of your poop with naked eyes.

Some things they look for during macroscopic examination are:
– color
– consistency
– presence of mucus or parasites
– worm eggs (yup, you read that right)

This preliminary analysis can help diagnose conditions such as digestive disorders, bowel inflammation among others.

Microscopic Examination

If anything abnormal is detected during macroscopic examination microscopic examination comes into play. This procedure involves taking small portions from different areas in your specimen and studying them under high-resolution microscopes. Allowing lab techs to have close-up experiences with poo without any smell at all !PHEW!

Microscopy can detect minute anomalies invisible to the naked eye that may indicate infection caused by viruses or bacteria within faecal matter.

Culture Test

For potential infectious illness diagnoses scientists develop cultures which contain nutrient media designed specifically bacteria grow rapidly identifying pathogens
(stuff that makes you ill).

A tip wipe down up front could make culturing unnecessary if done well enough

Once these bacteria colonies have grown they’re identified for further testing (moodie face shiver).

Cultures may take up to three days before positive signs appear; inconclusive results mean redoing tests fresh urine container sent back ASAP!

Some Technical Stuff You might Fancy …

Samples may also undergo another testing:
– PCR testing (polymerase chain reaction) which is how they detect viruses and bacteria

Through this process, scientists can:
– isolate DNA strands;,applying numerous procedures to achieve uncontaminated samples.
– amplify them via a microscope or other technology. multiplying until significant levels of product appear

This means that even the smallest amount of viral load can be detected in your stool sample allowing early effective treatment.


All this talk about poop might make you feel like you all should stay away from it, but trust us when we say that taking care of our bowel health is critical! Proper bowel movements lead to happy tummies, less bloating, digestive problems and flatter stomachs – now let’s celebrate clean colons together!

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