What does an occult blood test detect?

An occult blood test is specifically designed to detect hidden (occult) blood in the feces, which can be an indicator of potential health issues, such as gastrointestinal disorders or malignancies. The presence of blood that is not visibly apparent can point to conditions like hemorrhoids, polyps, or even cancers in the digestive tract. The test is a valuable tool in screening for these serious conditions, as it can often identify blood loss earlier than other symptoms might occur, allowing for timely medical intervention.

The other options refer to different components or indicators that are not the focus of the occult blood test. Mucus in feces and enzymes in stool relate to other types of digestive or gastrointestinal assessments, while determining the location of bleeding would require more invasive diagnostic procedures such as imaging or direct examination like an endoscopy.