If you have symptoms of diarrhea, fatty stools or steatorrhea, abdominal bloating and gas, your physician may order a fecal lipid test. The test does not determine the cause of your symptoms but indicates the need for further diagnostic procedures and testing. Excessive fat excretion may indicate malabsorption syndromes as a result of conditions, diseases and previous surgeries. Test preparation requires maintaining a high-fat diet before and during the test.
Test Preparation
The most direct measurement of fecal fat excretion is collection and analysis of stool after a high-fat diet. Test instructions require you to consume at least 100 grams of fat per day for three days before the test and three days during the test. Whole milk and cheeses, frying meats in oil, fried potatoes, creamed soups and commercially prepared baked goods comprise high-fat diet sources. West Shore Endoscopy Center recommends recording the foods consumed.
Symptoms
Symptoms of steatorrhea may include foul-smelling, pale-colored, bulky and greasy stools. The most common symptom is chronic diarrhea and may be what prompts you to seek medical attention. Other symptoms may include weight loss and muscle wasting or atrophy, abdominal distention, anemia, bone pain, bleeding tendencies and scaly skin. The symptoms reflect the effects of nutritional and dietary deficiencies and possible disorders of the pancreas, stomach and small intestine.
Sources
Malabsorption syndromes occur as a result of conditions that alter digestion, absorption or movement of nutrients into the bloodstream like pancreatitis, malnutrition, liver disease and tuberculosis. The loss of nutrients including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals may cause serious side effects according to EndoNurse.com. It can lead to excess fecal fat excretion and physical signs and symptoms of deficiencies. The high-fat diet is designed to test how well your intestine absorbs fats.
Effects
Fats not absorbed into the bloodstream contain fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K; some minerals; as well as proteins; carbohydrates and fats. With the loss of vitamin K, you may experience excess bleeding, like nosebleeds, and bruising. Loss of calcium, vitamin D and magnesium can cause bone pain, tingling sensations and possible fractures. Weight loss and muscle wasting reflects loss of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Loss of iron and vitamin B-12 can cause anemia.
Procedure
A quantitative test requires you to collect 72 hours of stool specimens and measures volume. Use the containers from the lab or containers without wax, which alters test results. The sample is kept tightly covered and in a cool location. Avoid contamination of the sample with tissue paper or urine. A qualitative test utilizes a random stool sample that is stained with a special dye and examined under the microscope for undigested fibers and fats.
Results
Dietary fats are usually absorbed in the small intestine with only small amounts excreted in the stool, according to Merck Manuals. An acceptable value of excretion is six to seven grams of fat in a 24-hour period, which equates with less than 20 percent of daily excreted solids. The accuracy of your test results may be compromised by alcohol consumption; medications like antacids, antibiotics and laxatives; or poor compliance with the high-fat diet.
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