Methods of testing reducing substances in stool samples?

Answer 1

The Faecal Reducing Substances test is performed in a laboratory, on a sample of stool as small as 5 grams.

Unfortunately this sample needs to be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible, preferably within 1 hour. This is because lactose (or other sugars) in the stool will normally be broken down by chemical processes within 2-4 hours afetr the specimen is produced. Faecal Reducing Substances may be ordered by your doctor for symptoms suggestive of lactose intolerance, for example frequent loose stools, particularly if they are frothy in nature. Lactose intolerance may occur after a prolonged episode of viral gastroenteritis, due to inadequate absorption of the sugar lactose by a damaged intestinal lining. Other conditions, in which other sugars, such as glucose, galactose and fructose are not absorbed properly, can also cause a positive test for reducing sugars in the stool. Faecal Reducing Substances are reported as: * Negative - this is the normal result and means that the body is digestying and absorbing sugars properly * Positive - this means there are substances in the stool that can act as 'reducing agents', i.e. there are forms of sugar in the stool that have not been absorbed by the body * General Practitioner (GP) * General Physician * Gastroenterologist * Infectious Diseases Physician * Paediatrician * Travel Medicine Physician * Endoscopy of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract * Colonoscopy * Stool MCS (Microscopy, Culture and Sensitivity) * Endoscopy of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract * Colonoscopy * Urea & Electrolytes * Liver Function Tests * Full Blood Count Faecal Reducing Sugar

Reference: http://healthengine.com.au/tests/other/faecal_sugars.html