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22538 Hemoquant, Stool (HQ)

Hemoquant, Stool (HQ)
Test Code: MISC
Synonyms/Keywords
Blood Feces, Fecal Blood, Occult Blood Feces, Stool for Blood, Stool Hemoquant
Useful For
Detection of blood in feces.
Evaluation of iron deficiency.
Detection of bleeding as a complication of anticoagulant therapy and other medication regimens.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Fecal​ Screw-cap tube​ ​ 1 g​ 1 g​ ​
Collection Processing Instructions

Collect random specimen from a single defecation.

Additional Information: Patient should be instructed to refrain from red meat and aspirin for 3 days prior to specimen collection.

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Fecal​ ​ Refrigerated (preferred)​ 7 days​
​Ambient ​7 days
Interference

​Heme from ingested red meat will increase HemoQuant test values. Patients should be advised to avoid eating red meat for 3 days before collecting specimens. Fish and poultry may be substituted.

The elevated porphyrins of lead intoxication, erythrocytic protoporphyria and variegate porphyria may raise HemoQuant values in the absence of gut bleeding.

Recent studies have indicated that cancerous lesions in their early stages often do not bleed or bleed only intermittently.

Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Clinic Laboratories​​
Monday through Saturday
 ​1-2 days
Fluorescence Quantitation
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Test Information

​Several noninvasive tests are available to detect gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. However, guaiac type and immunochemical tests for occult bleeding are affected by the presence of reducing or oxidizing substances and are insensitive for the detection of upper GI tract (esophagogastric) bleeding, where most clinically significant occult GI bleeding occurs.

The HemoQuant test is the most reliable, noninvasive test currently available for detecting bleeding of the esophago-GI tract. Unlike other tests for blood in feces, this test detects both intact heme and porphyrins from partly degraded heme. Additionally, test results are not complicated by either the water content of the specimen or the presence of reducing or oxidizing substances. Furthermore, HemoQuant testing is sensitive to both proximal and distal sources of occult GI bleeding. HemoQuant is the most appropriate fecal occult blood test to use in the evaluation of iron deficiency.

Normally, one gram of feces may contain 0.0 - 2.0 mg hemoglobin (Hb); this corresponds to a daily loss of up to 2-mL blood. A demonstration of increased Hb in feces indicates bleeding in the alimentary tract (or ingestion of anticoagulants, aspirin, or red meat).

Reference Range Information
Reference Range
Normal:
< or =2.0 mg total hemoglobin/g feces
Marginal:
2.1-4.0 mg total hemoglobin/g feces*
Elevated:
>4.0 mg total hemoglobin/g feces
*2.1-4.0 mg Hb/g is considered marginally elevated, but not clinically significant, if red meat, warfarin, or aspirin was ingested 72 hrs prior to collection.
​
Interpretation
Elevated levels are an indicator of the presence of blood in the feces, either from benign or malignant causes.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​84126 ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
Blood Feces, Fecal Blood, Occult Blood Feces, Stool for Blood, Stool Hemoquant
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Fecal​ Screw-cap tube​ ​ 1 g​ 1 g​ ​
Collection Processing

Collect random specimen from a single defecation.

Additional Information: Patient should be instructed to refrain from red meat and aspirin for 3 days prior to specimen collection.

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Fecal​ ​ Refrigerated (preferred)​ 7 days​
​Ambient ​7 days
Interference

​Heme from ingested red meat will increase HemoQuant test values. Patients should be advised to avoid eating red meat for 3 days before collecting specimens. Fish and poultry may be substituted.

The elevated porphyrins of lead intoxication, erythrocytic protoporphyria and variegate porphyria may raise HemoQuant values in the absence of gut bleeding.

Recent studies have indicated that cancerous lesions in their early stages often do not bleed or bleed only intermittently.

Useful For
Detection of blood in feces.
Evaluation of iron deficiency.
Detection of bleeding as a complication of anticoagulant therapy and other medication regimens.
Reference Range Information
Reference Range
Normal:
< or =2.0 mg total hemoglobin/g feces
Marginal:
2.1-4.0 mg total hemoglobin/g feces*
Elevated:
>4.0 mg total hemoglobin/g feces
*2.1-4.0 mg Hb/g is considered marginally elevated, but not clinically significant, if red meat, warfarin, or aspirin was ingested 72 hrs prior to collection.
​
Interpretation
Elevated levels are an indicator of the presence of blood in the feces, either from benign or malignant causes.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Clinic Laboratories​​
Monday through Saturday
 ​1-2 days
Fluorescence Quantitation
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​84126 ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.