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Fecal Fat

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What is Fecal Fat?

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 prope...



What is Fecal Fat?

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 are working.

Fat malabsorption can cause a change in your stools 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 Results

Less than 7 grams of fat per 24 hours.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Decreased fat absorption may result from:

Risks

There are no risks.

Considerations

Factors that interfere with the test are:

  • Enemas
  • Laxatives
  • Mineral oil

Content provided by:

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 an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. 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 policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Review Date: .8/8/2008

Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.8/8/2008

Fecal Fat Articles

  • Colon Cleansing With Natural Remedies

    ...ces. When the colon gets backed up with fecal matter, mucoid plaque and undigested food, it is called "impaction." After this takes place, absorption of nutrients can be compromised and colon cl...

  • Natural Remedies for Treating Constipation

    ...been going to the bathroom to eliminate fecal matter every day, and your pattern has changed to three times a week or less, you may be constipated. Another indication of constipation is difficul...

  • How to Flush the Colon to Keep it Disease-Free

    ...ds and foods that are high in saturated fat.

  • Colon Cleanse for Constipation

    ...stipating foods. Foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt and low in fiber should be avoided when you are cleansing your colon. Eliminate foods like red meat, cheese, milk, white flour product...

Show More

Images provided by Google

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Conversations On Fecal Fat

  • How much fiber?


    • Posted On March 10, 2008 01:32:42 PM

      ...ood as others, but are great add to low fat sugar free yogurt. Sandy Read More

    • Posted On April 23, 2008 12:57:56 PM

      ...Fiber is fun to talk about... fiber and fecal bulk. What do they have in common? More than you think.... Fiber improves large intestine function and keeps the muscles of the large intestine ... Read More

  • What's wrong with my cat?


    • Posted On January 13, 2009 05:36:48 PM

      ... I took her, because it could have been fatal. You could take her to the vet just to be on the safe side. Good Luck, hope everything works out. Read More

    • Posted On January 13, 2009 06:10:47 PM

      ...ng in for an exam, make sure to bring a fecal sample to test. For my kitten, it turned out she didn't like the shape of her litter box after so long. She had no problem using it for the first ... Read More

  • Irradiation for produce - what are your thoughts?


    • Posted On August 22, 2008 10:11:11 AM

      ...ct flavour of products that are high in fat and the texture of delicate produce (especially if the radiation source is decades old as the one I used). For some products low radiation doses provi... Read More

    • Posted On August 23, 2008 11:49:37 AM

      ...d gets worse things in their mouth than fecal mater. Do you let them touch the handrail on a escalator? How about sitting at a high chair at a restaurant and eating off the table or off the tr... Read More

  • 100 pounds.


    • Posted On June 4, 2008 11:42:13 AM

      ...past month, I've lost 5.4 lbs. I turned fat into muscle and I lost inches instead of pounds. My goal is to lose 82lbs so I'm right where you are, or somewhat close. I am 6' 4", 32 and weigh... Read More

    • Posted On June 4, 2008 05:09:26 PM

      ...at pita and spaghetti sauce and reduced fat mozzarella or even a Weight Watchers pizza which is fairly good. Don't forget to eat lots of green leafy vegetables for fiber and to fill you up. It w... Read More

  • My scale isn't moving!


    • Posted On April 4, 2008 12:31:05 PM

      ...basically a 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat. That last one is key. Most people think fat is bad. By fat, I mean from nuts,olive oil, healthy sources. Stay away from processed carbs- carbs shou... Read More

    • Posted On April 4, 2008 05:15:02 PM

      ...me of it could be water and other being fecal matter. look at the export in your plate. if yuor truely tracking everything then create some charts with the different things such as fat intake or... Read More

  • Gross food additives


    • Posted On February 26, 2009 06:21:44 AM

      ...ly if it's natural cultured grade A low fat milk). Read More

    • Posted On February 26, 2009 07:11:31 AM

      ...e a problem with sugar, chocolate, high fat foods, etc so her bad eating habits in those respects were definately passed on to me and we were all fat... but at least she did "something ... Read More

Show More

Fecal Fat Blogs

Restaurant lemons with fecal matter (ewwww!): GMA investigation

I always order water with lemon when I eat out, but I may be sticking to just plain water now that I’ve seen the results of an investigation Good Morning America did. GMA tested lemon wedges from three sets of chain restaurants: Applebee’s...

I Haven't Been Defeated

I'm going to the gym in the morning, despite the way I feel. I'm really disappointed that no one can seem to figure out what's wrong with me. I'm getting more frustrated as the days and months go by. I have been set back in my weight loss program by...

Alli (Orlistat) Diet Drug Gets FDA Approval

After receiving FDA approval, GlaxoSmithKline PLC will begin selling an over-the-counter version of the weight-loss drug, Xenical (orlistat), sometime this summer. The 60-milligram capsule will be marketed under the name, Alli, and is expected...

Fecal Lemons?

Lex points to a video on Youtube that basically says that the lemons in your drink at a restaurant are probably contaminated with all kinds of nasty bacteria.  "Fecal" is part of the description which means that I'm pretty much done with the lemon...

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