04 At Home 1601X1601px
HERO Bowel Health Home
Results Mobile Mock Up

Bowel Health – Home

£165.00

A simple stool test for early detection of bowel conditions. 

  • Detect bowel cancer early
  • Identify inflammatory bowel conditions
  • Detect gut infections
  • Clinically accurate, doctor-designed panel

  • UKAS Accredited Labs

    UKAS Accredited Labs

  • CE Marked Tests

    CE Marked Tests

  • Clinically Designed

    Clinically Designed

Why choose the Bowel Health test?

Digestive problems often develop gradually and may not always present obvious symptoms. This panel checks key markers linked to bowel health, helping identify issues at an early stage and guide next steps.

 

If you have active symptoms, please also contact your GP in the first instance. This test is a complement to clinical care, not a substitute for it.

Why choose the Bowel Health test?

Digestive problems often develop gradually and may not always present obvious symptoms. This panel checks key markers linked to bowel health, helping identify issues at an early stage and guide next steps.

 

If you have active symptoms, please also contact your GP in the first instance. This test is a complement to clinical care, not a substitute for it.

What does it measure?

The test detects very small amounts of blood in your stool (occult blood). This is the same test used in the NHS bowel cancer screening programme. Bleeding can be an early sign of a bowel health problem that needs further investigation, such as bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) or inflammatory bowel disease.

 

It also measures inflammation in your intestines, helping identify conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and detects certain bacteria which is a common cause of stomach ulcers and gastritis.

 

Taking care of your digestive health supports your overall wellbeing because a healthy gut is essential for a healthy body, and can help provide:

  • Early awareness - Identify gut issues before they progress.
  • Targeted care - Get results that help you receive the right follow-up and treatment.
  • Reassurance - Understand your gut health with confidence.

 

Please note that:

  • Confirmation that a positive H. pylori result requires GP-prescribed eradication therapy and cannot be self-treated
  • An elevated calprotectin result requires clinical interpretation and is not diagnostic of IBD
  • Customers currently taking proton pump inhibitors should not take the H. pylori stool antigen test without first consulting their GP, as false negatives may result
  • A normal result from the qFIT test does not exclude bowel pathology 100%.
What does it measure?

The test detects very small amounts of blood in your stool (occult blood). This is the same test used in the NHS bowel cancer screening programme. Bleeding can be an early sign of a bowel health problem that needs further investigation, such as bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) or inflammatory bowel disease.

 

It also measures inflammation in your intestines, helping identify conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and detects certain bacteria which is a common cause of stomach ulcers and gastritis.

 

Taking care of your digestive health supports your overall wellbeing because a healthy gut is essential for a healthy body, and can help provide:

  • Early awareness - Identify gut issues before they progress.
  • Targeted care - Get results that help you receive the right follow-up and treatment.
  • Reassurance - Understand your gut health with confidence.

 

Please note that:

  • Confirmation that a positive H. pylori result requires GP-prescribed eradication therapy and cannot be self-treated
  • An elevated calprotectin result requires clinical interpretation and is not diagnostic of IBD
  • Customers currently taking proton pump inhibitors should not take the H. pylori stool antigen test without first consulting their GP, as false negatives may result
  • A normal result from the qFIT test does not exclude bowel pathology 100%.
Who is this test for?

This at home test may be helpful if you:

  • Experience ongoing digestive discomfort or bloating
  • Have changes in your bowel habits eg symptoms such as persistent constipation or diarrhoea
  • Have concerns about your bowel health or a family history of colorectal conditions
  • Have a history of stomach ulcers or gastritis
  • Want to monitor gut inflammation or bacterial infections
Who is this test for?

This at home test may be helpful if you:

  • Experience ongoing digestive discomfort or bloating
  • Have changes in your bowel habits eg symptoms such as persistent constipation or diarrhoea
  • Have concerns about your bowel health or a family history of colorectal conditions
  • Have a history of stomach ulcers or gastritis
  • Want to monitor gut inflammation or bacterial infections

What this test checks

qFIT stands for Quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test. This stool test detects and measures tiny amounts of blood in your stool, which are invisible to the naked eye. It does this by detecting levels of a protein in red blood cells called haemoglobin.

Blood in stool can be a sign of different health conditions, including bowel cancer. 

Calprotectin is a protein released by your gut when it is inflamed. It can be tested for in your stools. Raised levels suggest that bowel symptoms are due to an inflammatory bowel condition, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, rather than a non-inflammatory bowel condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

H. pylori refers to the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, which can infect the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. A stool test for H. pylori infection can investigate bowel symptoms, such as persistent indigestion, bloating and nausea. Although most cases of H. pylori infection do not cause any symptoms, around one in 10 people will develop peptic ulcers or gastritis.

How the test works

  • Shutterstock 2507687409
    1. Simple Home Testing

    Collect your sample at home using the clear instructions included in your kit. The process is designed to be quick, private, and easy to follow. 

  • Woman Laptop Lifestyle
    2. Easy Return

    Activate your kit before sending it back. Place your sample in the prepaid packaging provided and drop it off at your local post office. For best results, post your kit before noon on the same day you collect your sample.

  • Vista Results Mobile Mock Up 2
    3. Fast, Clear Results

    Once your sample reaches our trusted lab partner, testing begins right away. We aim to deliver your results within three working days.

Your questions answered

Is the qFIT stool test difficult to do at home?

No, the qFIT stool test is easy to perform and comes with simple, clear instructions. You will need to place a small disposable plastic container in the toilet to catch your stool sample. The test kit contains everything else you need to hygienically scrape a very small amount of your stool and place it into a collection tube.

What happens if my blood test results are abnormal?

All results are reviewed by our Lead GP before being released to you. If anything requires urgent clinical attention such as a significantly abnormal haemoglobin, white cell count, potassium or sodium, we will contact you directly to arrange a complimentary follow-up call at no extra charge.

Other findings including an elevated qFIT, a raised PSA, elevated calprotectin, abnormal kidney or liver function, or iron levels outside the normal range vary in their significance depending on the degree of abnormality, your symptoms and your personal medical history. Some may require prompt attention; others will need follow-up but without the same urgency. Because context matters, our Lead GP reviews every result individually rather than in isolation. Where a result needs prompt action, we will contact you directly. Where follow-up is needed but not urgent, your report will include clear guidance on the recommended next step whether that is a GP appointment, a repeat test, or further investigation.

No result is released without clinical review, and no abnormal finding is left without a clear recommended pathway. If you have any questions about your results at any point, our clinical team is here to help.

Does a positive qFIT test mean I have bowel cancer?

No, a positive qFIT test does not mean you definitely have bowel cancer. It means you need further tests to find out why you have blood in your stools. Non-cancerous causes include polyps, peptic ulcers, gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease and haemorrhoids.

How accurate is the qFIT test?

The qFIT test is a highly accurate test, with a sensitivity for detecting blood caused by bowel conditions of 87%. 

What happens if my qFIT test results are abnormal?

If higher-than-normal levels of blood are detected in your stool, we will recommend that you see one of our experienced Vista Health GPs or your NHS GP. They will explain your results and the next steps, which may involve a procedure called a colonoscopy. 

Can I do a qFIT stool test while I’m menstruating?

No. If your test includes a qFIT stool test, you should wait until your period has finished before collecting your sample. This is because menstrual blood may affect the result and could lead to a false positive. Once your period has ended, you can complete the test as instructed.