The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) checks for tiny, invisible amounts of human blood in stool. It uses antibodies that detect human hemoglobin, making it more specific for bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract (colon and rectum) than older guaiac-based stool tests.
Blood in stool can come from colon polyps, colorectal cancer, hemorrhoids, or other lower GI conditions. Detecting it early allows doctors to identify and remove precancerous growths or start treatment when it is most effective. FIT is widely used as a noninvasive colorectal cancer screening tool and is typically recommended once a year starting at age 45 for people at average risk.
Human-specific: Detects human, not animal, blood proteins.
No diet restrictions: Foods like red meat and supplements (e.g., vitamin C) don’t affect results.
Lower-GI focused: More reliable for the colon and rectum than for bleeding in the stomach or small intestine.
Routine colorectal cancer screening for average-risk adults (often yearly from age 45).
Follow-up monitoring after colon polyps are removed or when colonoscopy is deferred.
Not diagnostic: A positive FIT shows blood is present but does not identify the cause. Colonoscopy is the usual follow-up.
Follow the kit instructions exactly. Typically, you use a brush or applicator to collect a small stool sample and place it in the provided tube.
Avoid collection during menstrual periods or when you have active bleeding from hemorrhoids if possible.
Return the sample promptly, as FIT accuracy decreases if it is stored too long or exposed to heat.
Use clean techniques and label correctly to avoid invalid results.
Negative: No blood detected. This is reassuring, but regular testing is still important since some growths bleed intermittently.
Positive: Blood was detected. This does not mean cancer but indicates the need for colonoscopy to find the source (such as a polyp, inflammation, hemorrhoids, or another cause).
Invalid: The sample could not be processed (e.g., insufficient material, expired kit, mishandling). A repeat test is required.
Adenomatous (precancerous) polyps
Hemorrhoids or small fissures
Colitis or other inflammatory gut conditions
Recent lower-GI procedures or straining with constipation
A negative FIT lowers the chance you are bleeding from the colon or rectum at the time of testing, but it does not rule out all problems. Because bleeding can be intermittent, repeated annual testing is essential for effective screening.
Positive result: Colonoscopy is usually recommended to locate and treat the source of bleeding.
Negative result: Stay on schedule with annual or clinician-directed screenings. Report any symptoms such as rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, changes in bowel habits, or persistent abdominal pain.
Invalid result: Repeat with a new kit and follow all instructions carefully.
No dietary restrictions—red meat, vitamin C, and most supplements don’t interfere.
Blood-thinning medicines (such as aspirin, anticoagulants) do not cause false positives but may increase bleeding from existing lesions. Discuss with your clinician if you have questions.
People with a history of advanced colon polyps or colorectal cancer
Individuals with hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes, inflammatory bowel disease, or strong family history
Anyone with visible rectal bleeding, iron-deficiency anemia, or unexplained weight loss
FIT is best for bleeding in the colon and rectum; it may not detect bleeding from higher in the GI tract.
Intermittent bleeding can lead to false negatives.
Proper collection, handling, and prompt return of the sample are critical for accuracy.
Colonoscopy – diagnostic and therapeutic after a positive FIT.
CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy – alternative colon exams in select cases.
Guaiac FOBT (gFOBT) – an older stool test with more dietary interferences.
Multitarget stool DNA testing – another noninvasive screening tool, done less frequently.
Your medical lab tests hold vital information about your health. Our tools help you understand what's going on and how to take action.
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Anthony
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I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
Karin
Advanced Plan Member since 2020
What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!
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As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
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Anthony
Unlimited Plan Member since 2021
I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
Karin
Advanced Plan Member since 2020
What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!
Paul
Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024
As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
Healthmatters is a highly-personalized health dashboard.
Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.
With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.
For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.
It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.
There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.
We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.
Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.
For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.
Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.
Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.
The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.
For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.
Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.
You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.
We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.
1. Graph View:Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.
2. All Tests ViewExplore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.
3. Table View:For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.
Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.
Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.
Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.
Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
Astrovirus, Beneficial SCFAs, Bilfidobacterium, Chymotrypsin, Deoxycholic acid (DCA), Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) It/st, Escherichia coli, Fluoroquinolones, Histamine in Stool, Lactobacillus species, LCA / DCA Ratio, Lithocholic acid (LCA), M2 Pyruvate Kinase, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (avium), Occult Blood, Immunochem, Ova + Parasite Status, Pancreatic Elastase-1, Plesiomonas shigelloides, Prevotella copri, Putrefactive SCFAs, Rotavirus, Stool pH, Vibrio (parahaemolyticus, vulnificus and cholerae), Zonulin
