FECAL FAT - (F)

Test Code: MISC - document collection duratino(hours) using REQC

Test Indications: Recommend ordering Fat (Neutral and Split) Qualitative which can be performed on a small amount of a single stool sample as the first line test. 
 
Fecal Fat testing is only recommended if Fat (Neutral and Split) Qualitative is negative and the patient has persistent symptoms of fat malabsorption.
 
Fecal Fat testing requires approval by a Clinical Biochemist prior to referral.
Click here for the Approval For Test Referral Biochemistry (F260-11-02)
 
Fecal Fat is referred out to Mayo Clinic Laboratories and requires pre-arrangement with the lab to acquire correct collection containers (see below).
 
Excessive fecal fats is indicative of malabsorptive disorders pancreatic diseases as cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, neoplasia, or stone obstruction, and such intestinal diseases as Whipple disease, regional enteritis, tuberculous enteritis, gluten-induced enteropathy (also called celiac disease or sprue), and the atrophy of malnutrition.
 
This test measures qualitatively the total fats in stool. This test is not useful for differentiating among pancreatic diseases.

Recommendations: Proper patient preparation is critical. Incomplete collection will lead to false negatives.  Failure to follow fat controlled diet will make results interpretation inaccurate.  Provide instructions below to patient.
 
Reference ranges are not established for patients < 18 years of age.
 
Patient Preparation Instructions: 
1. Read all instructions.
2. Request collection container from your local Shared Health laboratory (it may take a few days for container to be available).  Follow collection instructions provided with your containers.
3. 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.
4. The use of diaper rash ointments will falsely elevate test results. Discontinue use during collection period.
5. Barium interferes with test procedure; a waiting period of 48 hours before stool collection analysis is recommended.
 
Supplies: Stool Collection Kit  (Mayo T291) - 72 Hour Kit
Note: Stool container complies with shipping requirements, do not use other containers.
 
Specimen Volume: Entire 72-hour collection
 
Collection Instructions:
1. All containers must be returned to the lab together.
2. The number of containers sent should be indicated on the labels (1 of 2, for example).
3. Sample can be stored at room tempature or refrigerated during collection.

Stool Collection Kit (Mayo T291) - 72 Hour Kit from Mayo Clinic Laboratories that can be obtained from SBH or HSC lab.
Any other collection containers will be rejected.  Lab to provide patient with copy of the LIM entry so that patient will have copy of  Patient preparation information 

_SH Body Fluid Requisition (R250-10-53)

Mayo Reference values provided on report.  Reference values not valid if patient is not on a fat controlled diet containing 100g  to 150g of fat per day.  Reference values not estabished for patients <18 years of age.

Within 2 Weeks

FECAL FAT (NEUTRAL AND SPLIT) QUALITATIVE - HSC - (F)

Refrigerate specimen. Send refrigerated specimens to Mayo Clinic Laboratories  (Test Name: Fat, Feces - Test ID: FATF).