Fat

Label Mnemonic:	FATF
Epic code:	LAB3110
Downtime form:	Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery

Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593

Specimen(s):

Feces

Specimen Instructions:

Keep sample refrigerated during collection.

Collection Medium:

24, 48, 72 hour fecal specimen, stool container(s)

Minimum:

Absolute minimum is 5 grams.
Prefer 48 hr or 72 hr collection (24 hr accepted)
All specimens required to be in special containers available from Specimen Control, 6240 RCP.
Specimen container should not be filled more than one-half full. Do not freeze until collection is completed. Keep frozen until delivered to lab.

Rejection Criteria:

Specimens in unapproved containers.

Delivery Instructions:

Submit specimen to laboratory as soon as possible after collection period is completed.

Turn Around Time:

3 days upon receipt at reference laboratory

Reference Range:

TIMED COLLECTION
> or =18 years: 2-7 g fat/24 hours
Reference values have not been established for patients who are <18 years of age.

RANDOM COLLECTION
All ages: 0-19% fat

Comments:

Useful For:
Diagnosing fat malabsorption due to pancreatic or intestinal disorders

Monitoring effectiveness of enzyme supplementation in certain 
malabsorption disorders

Cautions:
This test is not useful for differentiating among pancreatic diseases.

Proper patient preparation is critical (see Specimen Required). Failure 
to adhere to a fat-controlled diet or to exclude other oils or oil 
substitutes from the diet may make interpretation difficult.

Barium interferes with test procedure; a waiting period of 48 hours 
before stool collection analysis is recommended.
 
The use of diaper rash ointments will falsely elevate test results. 
Discontinue use during collection period.  

The use of charcoal as a marker is not recommended. If charcoal is 
used, please notify the laboratory.

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.
Babies:  Feces can be collected from diaper; small amounts of urine do 
not interfere.

Methodology:

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy

CPT Code:

82710