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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Fecal Fat, Qualitative
Test Code3967
CPT Codes
82705
Preferred Specimen
5 grams or 5 mL fresh random stool collected in a plastic leak-proof container
Patient Preparation
Patient should be on a normal diet which includes fat intake. Patient should not use castor oil, mineral oil, suppositories or barium prior to collection of specimen. Fat substitutes such as Olestra may cause interference and should be avoided.
Minimum Volume
1 g or 1 mL
Instructions
Collect approximately 5 grams of semi-solid to solid stool or approximately 5 mL of liquid stool and transfer to properly labeled leak-proof container. Transport sample frozen.
Transport Temperature
Frozen
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: 30 days
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Thawed specimens • Specimens in transport media or on swabs • Samples submitted in paint cans
Methodology
Microscopic Examination of Sudan III Stained Smear
Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily; Report available: 2 days
Limitations
Up to 12 grams of fat may be malabsorbed among patients with diarrhea even when the diarrhea is not attributable to fat malabsorption.
Reference Range
See Laboratory Report
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.