Order Code LAB1385 Fat, Feces
Additional Codes
Mayo Test ID |
---|
FATF |
Reporting Name
Fat, FUseful 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
FecalNecessary 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
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Fecal | Frozen (preferred) | 180 days | |
Refrigerated | 180 days |
Reject Due To
Preservative, media, or charcoal | Reject |
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
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in RochesterDay(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Method Name
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
CPT Code Information
82710
Method Description
After the well-homogenized stool sample is weighed and dried, it is rolled in Teflon and placed in a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (NMR). The NMR determines the percent of fat in the sample. The percent is then converted to grams fat/24 hours excretion or percent fat of random sample.(Korpi-Steiner NL, Ward JN, Kumar V, McConnell JP. Comparative analysis of fecal fat quantitation via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy [1H NMR] and gravimetry. Clin Chim Acta. 2009;400[1-2]:33-36)
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728) with the specimen