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The fecal fat test measures the amount of fat in the stool, and the percentage of dietary fat that is not taken in by the body.
Alternative NamesQuantitative stool fat determination; Fat absorption
How the test is performedAdults and children:
There are many ways to collect the samples. You can catch the stool on plastic wrap that is loosely placed over the toilet bowl and held in place by the toilet seat. Then put the sample in a clean container. One test kit supplies a special toilet tissue that you use to collect the sample, then put the sample in a clean container.
Infants and young children:
For children wearing diapers, you can line the diaper with plastic wrap. If the plastic wrap is positioned properly, you can prevent mixing of urine and stool. Preventing such mixing can give a better sample.
Collect all stool excreted over a period of 24-hours (or sometimes 3 days) in special containers, label the containers with name, time, and date, and send them to the laboratory.
How to prepare for the testConsume a normal diet containing about 100 grams of fat per day for 3 days before starting the test. The health care provider may advise you to discontinue use of substances that can affect test results, for example, drugs or food additives.
How the test will feelThe test involves only normal defecation, and there is no discomfort.
Why the test is performedThis test is used to evaluate fat absorption as an indication of how the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and intestines are working.
Fat malabsorption can cause a change in your stools called steatorrhea. Normal fat absorption requires bile from the gallbladder (or liver if the gallbladder has been removed), enzymes from the pancreas, and normal intestines.
Normal ValuesLess than 7 grams of fat per 24 hours.
What abnormal results meanDecreased fat absorption may result from:
- Biliary cancer
- Biliary stricture
- Celiac disease
- Cholelithiasis
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Crohn's disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pancreatic cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Radiation enteritis
- Short bowel syndrome (e.g., from surgery or congenital anomaly)
- Sprue
- Whipple's disease
There are no risks.
Special considerationsFactors that interfere with the test are:
- Enemas
- Laxatives
- Mineral oil
What else can I help you with?
What might increase fecal fat levels?
Drugs that may increase fecal fat levels include enemas and laxatives, especially mineral oil. Drugs that may decrease fecal fat include Metamucil and barium.
Why does human fecal float?
It can float depending on its fat content
What is the purpose of a stool fat test?
A stool fat test is used to evaluate the amount of fat in the stool, which can help diagnose conditions such as malabsorption syndromes and pancreatic disorders. It can also provide information about the effectiveness of digestive enzymes.
What is the Term for fatty stool?
Steatorrhea means a discharge of fat. Discharge of fat in the feces due to improper digestion and malabsorption of fat.
What is fat globules in stool?
It is droplets of fat contained in the stool. A fecal fat test shows how many fat globules are in the stool.
What are the symptoms of steatorrhea?
Excessive excretion of fecal fat is called steatorrhea, a condition that is suspected when the patient has large, "greasy," and foul-smelling stools.
What is the medical term meaning excess of fat in feces?
The medical term for excess fat in the feces is steatorrhea. This condition can result from malabsorption disorders, pancreatic insufficiency, or other digestive issues that prevent the proper absorption of fats in the intestines.
What Fats that are improperly digested and appear in the feces?
whenever you are angry,tired that time fats improperly digested.
Why would my blood be pink?
only when the person has a lot of fat in his/her blood
What might an abnormal stool fat test show?
Increased fecal fat levels are found in cystic fibrosis, malabsorption secondary to other conditions like Whipple's disease or Crohn's disease, maldigestion secondary to pancreatic or bile duct obstruction, and "short-gut" syndrome
What is involved in a stool fat test?
Laboratory tests like fecal fat, a measurement of fat in stool samples collected over 72 hours, are the most reliable tests for diagnosing fat malabsorption, but abnormalities of the small intestine itself are diagnosed by small-intestine biopsy.
What are the causes of red oily diareha?
The most common cause of bright red blood in the stool is hemorrhoids. you need to consider the situation: is it appear after eating? what types of food? any other symptoms? Regarding the oily stools, you may want to inquire about fat malabsorption - this can be evaluated with a quantitive fecal fat test .
