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HelpTest ID FATF Fat, Feces
Useful For
Diagnosing fat malabsorption due to pancreatic or intestinal disorders
Monitoring effectiveness of enzyme supplementation in certain malabsorption disorders
Method Name
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
Reporting Name
Fat, FSpecimen Type
FecalContainer/Tube: Stool container (Supply T291)
Specimen Volume:
Preferred: Entire 48-, or 72-hour collection
Acceptable: Entire 24-hour or random collection
Collection Instructions:
1. All containers must be sent together.
2. The entire collection must contain at least 5 g of feces.
3. For a random collection, a minimum of 5 g (do not send entire collection) is required.
4. The number of containers sent should be indicated on the labels (1 of 4, for example).
Additional Information:
1. Length of collection period is required.
2. Patient can store sample at refrigerate temperature during collection period.
3. A separate order and collection should take place if stool bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, magnesium, osmolality, pH, potassium, sodium, or any microbiology testing is desired.
4. For 3 days prior to and during the collection period:
a. Patient should be on a fat-controlled diet (100-150 g fat per day).
b. No laxatives (particularly mineral oil and castor oil)
c. No synthetic fat substitutes (eg, Olestra) or fat-blocking nutritional supplements
5. The use of diaper rash ointments will falsely elevate test results. Discontinue use during collection period.
6. Barium interferes with test procedure; a waiting period of 48 hours before stool collection analysis is recommended.
Specimen Minimum Volume
5 g
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fecal | Frozen (preferred) | 180 days |
| Refrigerated | 180 days |
Clinical Information
Fecal lipids include monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, glycolipids, soaps, sterols, cholesteryl esters, and sphingolipids.
Steatorrhea (increased fecal excretion of fat) may reflect a number of pancreatic or intestinal disorders, including chronic pancreatitis with or without stone obstruction, cystic fibrosis, neoplasia, Whipple disease, regional enteritis, tuberculous enteritis, gluten-induced enteropathy (celiac disease), Giardia-associated enteropathy, sprue, or the atrophy of malnutrition.
Reference Values
TIMED COLLECTION
≥18 years: 2-7 g fat/24 hours
Reference values have not been established for patients who are <18 years of age.
RANDOM COLLECTION
All ages: 0-19% fat
Cautions
This test is not useful for differentiating among pancreatic diseases.
Proper patient preparation is critical (see Specimen Required). Failure to adhere to a fat-controlled diet or to exclude other oils or oil substitutes from the diet may make interpretation difficult.
Barium interferes with test procedure; a waiting period of 48 hours before stool collection analysis is recommended.
The use of diaper rash ointments will falsely elevate test results. Discontinue use during collection period.
The use of charcoal as a marker is not recommended. If charcoal is used, please notify the laboratory.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
1 dayPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
82710