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.