Fat - faeces
Last updated: Thursday, 15, April, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | Minimum of 72 hour faecal collection (comprising at least 150 g of faeces). Patient must be on a diet containing 70-100 g of fat per day for at least four days prior to, and during, the test. |
| Method | Gravimetric or titrimetric. If the patient is taking medium chain triglycerides this must be stated on the request form, as a special analytical procedure is required. Faecal fat content can be assessed qualitatively by microscopy. |
| Reference Interval | Total lipid <20 mmol/24 hours. |
| Application | Investigation of malabsorption syndrome and documentation of steatorrhoea. This test is falling from favour as better tests of pancreatci function are now available. |
| Interpretation | High levels are seen in steatorrhoea caused by pancreatic, biliary or intestinal disorders. Inadequate specimen collection can result in failure to detect steatorrhoea. |
| Reference | Hill PG. Ann Clin Biochem 2001; 38(3): 164-167. |