wie lange darf man eine stuhlprobe aufbewahren — when to see a doctor?

The storage time for a stool sample depends on the test purpose. For microbiome analysis (e.g., gut flora), most labs recommend storage at room temperature and sending within 24–48 hours, as bacterial DNA degrades over time. For pathogen detection (e.g., Salmonella, parasites), refrigeration at 2–8 °C is standard, but the sample should reach the lab within 24 hours. Longer storage (>72 hours) significantly reduces detection accuracy. You should see a doctor if you notice: blood in stool, persistent diarrhea (>3 days), unexplained weight loss, severe abdominal pain, or fever. For chronic digestive issues, a stool test can provide insights but does not replace a medical evaluation. Note: Many commercial home tests (e.g., MyBody-X) offer useful data, but interpretation should always be done in a clinical context. The evidence is based on standard laboratory practice, not randomized trials.