Fecal Fat, Qualitative
Also known as: Fatty Acid, Stool, Neutral Fat, Stool, Qualitative Fat
Use
Detect the presence of fecal fatty acids and neutral fat. Increases in neutral fat are commonly associated with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Increase in stool total fats (neutral fats, soaps, and fatty acids) is likely to be associated with small bowel disease.
Special Instructions
Patient should be on a diet containing at least 60 g of fat. The patient should not use suppositories or mineral oil before the specimen is collected. Oily material (e.g., creams, lubricants, etc) should be avoided prior to collection of the specimen.
Limitations
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by LabCorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Administration of barium, bismuth, Metamucil®, castor oil, mineral oil, or ingestion of oily salad dressing within one week prior to collection of the specimen may interfere with the results.
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 43118-9
- 12598-9
- 42668-4
Result Turnaround Time
4-6 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Stool
Volume
Approximately 3 g
Minimum Volume
0.5 g
Container
Plastic screw-cap vial
Collection Instructions
Do not contaminate outside of container; do not overfill container.
Patient Preparation
Patient should be on a diet containing at least 60 g of fat. The patient should not use suppositories or mineral oil before the specimen is collected.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate at 2°C to 8°C.
Causes for Rejection
Specimen contaminated with urine and/or water; specimen on outside of container; specimen containing interfering substances (e.g., castor oil, bismuth, Metamucil®, barium)
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |