Fecal Fat, Quantitative
Also known as: Fat, Quantitative, Quantitative Fecal Fat, Stool Fat, Quantitative, Total Fat, Quantitative
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
Both the container and the test request form must state collection time (in hours). Collections of 24 or 48 hours are not recommended since results are subject to greater variability. Also, please indicate the patient's age on the test request form.
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.
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 16142-2
- 30078-0
- 16142-2
Result Turnaround Time
4-7 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
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
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 5 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |