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Test ID NBLD0037 Fat, Feces

Important Note

Note:  Fecal Fat should have its own frozen stool specimen for testing.  See specimen requirements below for details.

Useful For

Diagnosing fat malabsorption due to pancreatic or intestinal disorders

 

Monitoring effectiveness of enzyme supplementation in certain malabsorption disorders

 

This test is not useful for differentiating among pancreatic diseases.

Specimen Type

Fecal


Necessary Information


Length of collection period is required.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation:

1. For 3 days prior to and during the collection period:

a. Patient should be on a fat-controlled diet (100-150 g fat per day).

b. No laxatives (particularly mineral oil and castor oil).

c. No synthetic fat substitutes (eg, Olestra) or fat-blocking nutritional supplements.

2. The use of diaper rash ointments will falsely elevate test results. Discontinue use during collection period.

3. Barium interferes with test procedure; a waiting period of 48 hours before stool collection analysis is recommended.

Supplies: Stool Containers - 24, 48, 72 Hour Kit (T291)

Container/Tube: Stool container complies with shipping requirements, do not use other containers.

Specimen Volume:

Preferred: Entire 48-hour or 72-hour collection

Acceptable: Entire 24-hour or a minimum of  5 g from a random collection

Collection Instructions:

1. All containers must be sent together.

2. The entire collection must contain at least 5 g of feces.

3. For a random collection, a minimum of 5 g (do not send entire collection) is required.

4. The number of containers sent should be indicated on the labels (1 of 4, for example).

Additional Information:

1. Patient can store sample at refrigerate temperature during collection period.

2. A separate order and collection should take place if stool bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, magnesium, osmolality, pH, potassium, sodium, or any microbiology testing is desired.


Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Reject Due To

Preservative, media, or charcoal Reject

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Fecal Frozen (preferred) 180 days
  Refrigerated  180 days

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Method Name

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

82710

Reporting Name

Fat, F

Reference Values

TIMED COLLECTION

≥18 years: 2-7 g fat/24 h

Reference values have not been established for patients who are younger than 18 years of age.

 

RANDOM COLLECTION

All ages: 0-19% fat

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Secondary ID

607701

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728) with the specimen

Sanford Laboratories - Fargo Additional Information:

SANFORD INTERFACE BUILD INFORMATION

Result Code Result Code Description
13467 Total Weight
13468 Duration
13469 % Fat
13470 Total Fat/24 HR