Faeces can be looked at for bacteria, viruses, the presence of parasites but all these are not particularly reliable. Faecal elastase is a test which can look for pancreatic function. There are other tests to look for blood loss and inflammation. In general, however, faecal analysis is not particularly helpful.

There is also now a test called Faecal Calprotectin which can look at inflammatory bowel conditions as a marker of these issues.