Hemoglobin-heme is variably converted to porphyrin during enterocolic transit. This intestinal converted fraction, as measured by HemoQuant, was elevated as a predictor of the occult bleeding site in 152 patients with discrete lesions. The intestinal converted fraction, expressed as the percentage of total fecal hemoglobin, was similar with upper gastrointestinal and proximal colon lesions. Within the colon, values trended downward with more distal location: means ± standard deviations were 18±14 proximal colon, 16 ±15 sigmoid, and 10±10 rectum. The amount of fecal blood also affected the intestinal converted fraction; correcting for hemoglobin concentration improved separation by site. Corrected intestinal converted fraction values were significantly lower with rectal (P< 0.0005)="" and="" sigmoid=""><0.02) lesions="" than="" with="" proximal="" colon="" lesions.="" unfortunately,="" large="" within-site="" variation="" caused="" considerable="" overlap="" between="" sites.="" we="" conclude="" that="" the="" intestinal="" converted="" fraction="" is="" influenced="" by="" the="" site="" and="" amount="" of="" bleeding.="" however,="" its="" clinical="" utility="" is="" compromised="" by="" substantial="" individual="" differences="" in="" luminal="" hemoglobin="">