Fecal Fat, Qualititative

Overview

  • EPIC Code:
  • LAB390
  • Soft Test Code:
  • FEFQL
  • Send Out Test Code:
  • 13118 / 3967X
Alternate Names
  • Lipids, Stool Qualitative
  • Sudan Stain
Clinical Significance

Results may indicate malabsorption or maldigestion. False positive results can occur due to mineral oil or castor oil present in the specimen. Large number of neutral fat globules may indicate steatorrhea.


Specimen Collection & Preparation

Patient Preparation

Patient should be on a normal diet which includes fat intake. Patient shouldnot use castor oil, mineral oil, suppositories or barium prior to collection of specimen. 

Fat Substitutes such as Olstra may cause interference and should be avoided. 


Specimen Requirements

5.0 grams Frozen random Feces/Stool Yellow Top Plastic Container


Transport And Storage

1 hour Ambient
5 days Refrigerated
30 days Frozen (Transport)


Collection Instructions

Collect approximately 5 grams of semi-solid stool or approximately 5 mL of liquid stool and transfer to a properly labled leak proof container; 


Minimum Volume

1.0 gm Frozen Feces/Stool


Neonatal Volume

Clinical Interpretation

Reference Range:

Normal - Tiny fat globules, < 1 micron in diameter and too difficult to count, were observed microscopically under high power.

Abnormal - Fat globules, 1 to 8 microns in diameter, and < 100 globules per high power field were observed microscopically. 

Grossly Abnormal - Large fat globules, 9 to 75 microns in diameter, and so numerous that there was very little fecal background observed microscopically under high power.


Test Comments:

Limitations: Up to 12 grams of fat may be malabsorbed among patients with diarrhea even when the diarrhea is not attributable to fat malabsorption.


Methodology:
  • Microscopic Examination of Sudan-Stained Smear
Clinical Significance

Results may indicate malabsorption or maldigestion. False positive results can occur due to mineral oil or castor oil present in the specimen. Large number of neutral fat globules may indicate steatorrhea.


Production Schedule

Sites Performed
  • Quest - Chantilly
Days Performed
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Departments
  • Sendouts - Clinical
Turn Around Time

3 to 5 days


Coding & Compliance

CDM

01465715


CPT Coding

82705