Health Encyclopedia

Home | List of Topics | General Medical Information | Tests

Fecal fat

Definition

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 Names

Quantitative stool fat determination; Fat absorption

How the test is performed

Adults 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 test

Consume 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 feel

The test involves only normal defecation, and there is no discomfort.

Why the test is performed

This test is used to evaluate fat absorption as an indication of how the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and intestines work.

Fat malabsorption is 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 Values

Less than 7g of fat per 24-hours

What abnormal results mean

Decreased 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

What the risks are

There are no risks.

Special considerations

Factors that interfere with the test are:

• Enemas
• Laxatives
• Mineral oil

Review Date:1/22/2007
Reviewed By:Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.