Fecal Fat, Quantitative

Also known as: Fat, Quantitative, Quantitative Fecal Fat, Stool Fat, Quantitative, Total Fat, Quantitative

Clinical Use

Use

In malabsorption syndromes, notably pancreatic insufficiency and Whipple disease, steatorrhea is a prominent feature. Fecal fats can be useful in diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, neoplasia, or stone obstruction. Also useful in regional enteritis, celiac disease, sprue, and the atrophy of malnutrition.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

C8 and C10 saturated fatty acids are not quantitated with this method. The test, developed by LabCorp, has performance characteristics determined by the lab but has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Test Details

Methodology

Other

Biomarkers

Fat,(Fecal Lipids)Qn

Analyte

Fat,(Fecal Lipids)Qn

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

Fecal Weight (Total)

Analyte

Fecal Weight (Total)

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

LOINC Codes

Order Codes

16142-2 - Fat 24h Stl-mRate

Result Codes

30078-0 - Specimen wt Stl Qn
16142-2 - Fat 24h Stl-mRate

Result Turnaround Time

4-7 days

Specimen

Stool

Volume

Entire collection or 5 to 25 mL of a homogenized aliquot

Minimum Volume

Not provided

Container

One or more clean LabCorp-approved stool collection kits (order LabCorp N° 03192) containing a 1-gallon can, absorbent sheet, Armlock O-ring, and a leakproof plastic bag

Collection Instructions

Collect stool directly into can. Do not fill any can more than 2/3 full. Secure lid with pressure and firmly attach the O-ring. State collection time on the can label. Place the can and the absorbent sheet into the leakproof plastic bag and seal.

Patient Preparation

Adult patients should be on a standard diet containing 50 to 150 g of fat per day for at least three days before test is started and during the 72-hour collection. In children, the amount of fat in the diet should be constant for one day before the test and during the test. The patient should not have had mineral oil as a laxative prior to specimen collection.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate specimen during collection and store at 2°C to 8°C.

Causes for Rejection

Container more than 2/3 full; container leaking; improper container (ie, non−LabCorp-approved paint can, paper cartons, coffee cans, plastic bags, etc); foreign matter other than feces inside of container (ie, spoons, tongue depressors, plastic bags, toilet paper, etc); patient not on special diet; improper labeling of container or test request form; specimen on outside of container; specimen contaminated with urine; aliquot without “net weight” and “amount of water added” to homogenize the sample