Fecal Globin by Immunochemistry (Insure) Biomarker Testing
It checks for hidden blood in stool to help flag possible lower-GI bleeding; order through Vitals Vault and test at a Quest location.
With Vitals Vault, you have access to a comprehensive range of biomarker tests.
This test looks for human hemoglobin (globin) in your stool, which is a way to detect “occult” (hidden) blood you cannot see.
Because the assay is immunochemical, it is designed to react to human blood from the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as the colon or rectum. That makes it a common tool for colorectal cancer screening and for evaluating possible lower-GI bleeding.
A single result does not diagnose cancer or any specific disease. It tells you whether blood was detected, and it helps you and your clinician decide what the next step should be.
Do I need a Fecal Globin by Immunochemistry (Insure) test?
You may want this test if you are due for colorectal cancer screening and you prefer a noninvasive, at-home stool test. Many screening programs use an immunochemical fecal occult blood test (FIT/iFOBT) as a first step when you do not have alarm symptoms.
It can also be useful when you have symptoms that could involve lower-GI bleeding, such as new iron deficiency anemia, unexplained fatigue related to low iron, visible blood on toilet paper, a persistent change in bowel habits, or ongoing abdominal discomfort. In these situations, the result is one piece of evidence that can help your clinician decide whether endoscopic evaluation is needed.
If you have higher-risk factors—such as a strong family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or concerning symptoms like significant unintentional weight loss—your clinician may recommend going straight to colonoscopy rather than relying on stool testing.
Testing supports clinician-directed care and follow-up planning, but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis.
This is a CLIA laboratory test using immunochemical detection of human fecal hemoglobin (globin); results should be interpreted with your clinical history and are not a standalone diagnosis.
Lab testing
Order Fecal Globin by Immunochemistry (Insure) through Vitals Vault when you’re ready to test.
Schedule online, results typically within about a week
Clear reporting and optional clinician context
HSA/FSA eligible where applicable
Get this test with Vitals Vault
With Vitals Vault, you can order Fecal Globin by Immunochemistry (Insure) without a separate doctor’s visit and complete collection at home using the kit instructions. Your sample is then processed by a certified laboratory, and you receive a clear report you can share with your clinician.
If your result is positive or you are unsure how it fits your symptoms or screening schedule, PocketMD can help you understand common next steps to discuss—such as whether you need a colonoscopy, whether to repeat testing, and which companion labs (like a complete blood count or iron studies) may add context.
If your result is negative but you are still concerned, PocketMD can also help you plan what to watch for and when retesting or a different evaluation makes more sense based on your risk factors.
- Order online and complete the stool collection at home
- Results you can review in PocketMD and share with your clinician
- Testing available through the Quest network
Key benefits of Fecal Globin by Immunochemistry (Insure) testing
- Detects hidden blood in stool that you cannot see with the naked eye.
- Targets human hemoglobin, which helps focus detection on lower-GI bleeding sources.
- Supports colorectal cancer screening when you are average risk and asymptomatic.
- Helps triage next steps when iron deficiency anemia or other clues suggest possible GI blood loss.
- Can be repeated on a schedule to track screening adherence over time.
- Provides a clear “detected/not detected” style result that is easy to act on with your clinician.
- Pairs well with follow-up planning in PocketMD so you know what a positive or negative result usually means.
What is Fecal Globin by Immunochemistry (Insure)?
Fecal globin by immunochemistry is an immunochemical fecal occult blood test (often called FIT or iFOBT). It measures whether human hemoglobin (specifically the globin portion) is present in your stool.
Blood can enter stool for many reasons, including benign causes (like hemorrhoids) and more serious causes (like polyps, inflammation, or cancer). The key point is that bleeding may be intermittent and not visible, so a lab-based test can detect small amounts that you would otherwise miss.
Because globin is broken down as it travels through the upper GI tract, immunochemical tests tend to be more sensitive to bleeding from the colon and rectum than bleeding from the stomach or small intestine. That is one reason FIT-style tests are widely used for colorectal cancer screening.
This test does not tell you where bleeding is coming from or why it is happening. It tells you whether blood was detected in the sample you provided, which helps guide whether you need further evaluation.
How this differs from older “guaiac” stool blood tests
Older guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests (gFOBT) detect the peroxidase activity of heme and can be affected by some foods and medications. Immunochemical tests are designed to detect human hemoglobin, which generally reduces diet-related false positives and improves specificity for lower-GI bleeding.
What the Insure method refers to
“Insure” commonly refers to a specific collection kit and immunochemical method used by laboratories. The practical takeaway for you is that collection technique matters: following the kit instructions closely helps reduce invalid or misleading results.
What do my Fecal Globin by Immunochemistry (Insure) results mean?
Low / not detected fecal globin
A “not detected” (negative) result means the test did not find human hemoglobin in the sample you provided. This lowers the likelihood of active lower-GI bleeding at the time of collection, but it does not completely rule it out because bleeding can be intermittent.
If you are using this for routine screening and you are average risk, your clinician may recommend repeating FIT on the standard schedule. If you have symptoms, iron deficiency anemia, or higher-risk history, a negative result should not delay a clinician evaluation when it is warranted.
In-range / expected result for screening
For this test, the “expected” screening outcome is typically a negative result (no fecal globin detected). When you are asymptomatic and average risk, a negative result generally supports continuing routine screening on schedule rather than urgent diagnostic procedures.
Your clinician may still consider other tests if you have persistent symptoms, abnormal blood counts, or risk factors that make stool testing less appropriate as a stand-alone strategy.
High / detected fecal globin (positive FIT)
A positive result means human hemoglobin was detected in your stool sample. This indicates bleeding somewhere in the lower GI tract is possible, but it does not identify the cause.
Common causes include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, inflammation, polyps, or colorectal cancer. Because a positive FIT can be clinically important even when you feel well, the usual next step is to discuss timely colonoscopy (or another clinician-directed evaluation) rather than repeating the same test to “confirm” it.
Factors that influence fecal globin results
Collection technique is a major factor: sampling the wrong area of stool, using too much or too little sample, or not following timing and storage instructions can affect accuracy. Bleeding can also be intermittent, so a single negative test may miss episodes that occur on different days.
Benign sources of blood such as hemorrhoids or fissures can lead to a positive result, especially if you are actively bleeding. Some medications that increase bleeding risk (for example, anticoagulants or antiplatelet therapy) may increase the chance of detecting blood, so it helps to interpret results in the context of your medication list and symptoms.
What’s included
- Fecal Globin By Immunochemistry
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a FIT (fecal globin immunochemistry) test the same as a colonoscopy?
No. FIT looks for hidden blood in stool, which can be a sign of bleeding from the colon or rectum. Colonoscopy directly visualizes the colon and can remove polyps. A positive FIT commonly leads to colonoscopy to find the source.
What does a positive fecal globin test mean?
It means human hemoglobin was detected in your stool sample. It does not diagnose cancer, but it does mean you should discuss prompt follow-up with your clinician—often colonoscopy—because the cause can range from hemorrhoids to polyps to colorectal cancer.
What does a negative FIT result mean—can I still have colon cancer?
A negative result means blood was not detected in the sample you provided, which lowers the likelihood of active bleeding at that time. It cannot fully rule out polyps or cancer because bleeding can be intermittent and some lesions may not bleed. If you have symptoms or higher risk, clinician evaluation may still be appropriate.
Do I need to fast or avoid certain foods before this test?
FIT-style immunochemical tests generally do not require fasting or special diet restrictions. Follow the kit instructions carefully, and ask your clinician if any medication changes are appropriate for you; do not stop prescribed blood thinners unless a clinician tells you to.
How often should I repeat a FIT test?
Screening intervals depend on your age, risk factors, and local guidelines, but FIT is commonly repeated annually for average-risk screening. Your clinician may recommend a different schedule if you have symptoms, prior polyps, or family history.
Should I repeat the test if it’s positive?
Usually, no. A positive FIT is typically treated as an actionable screening result, and the next step is diagnostic evaluation (often colonoscopy) rather than repeating the same stool test, unless your clinician has a specific reason to do so.
Can hemorrhoids cause a positive FIT?
Yes. Any source of lower-GI bleeding, including hemorrhoids or anal fissures, can lead to detectable blood in stool. Even if you suspect hemorrhoids, you should still review a positive result with your clinician to decide whether further evaluation is needed based on your age and risk.