Fecal Fat, Quantitative




Test Mnemonic

FECFAT

CPT Codes

  • 82710 - QTY (1)

Includes

  • Fecal Fat Quantitative
  • Collection Duration
  • Total Weight

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Dpt of Lab Med & Pathology


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
Entire collectionStoolMayo Stool collection containerRefrigerate during collection.FrozenCall Client Services at 216-444-5755 or 800-628-6816 for collection container. Submit ENTIRE COLLECTION of stool from 48 or 72 hour collection. This test may NOT be added onto another stool test.

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
Entire collectionStoolMayo Stool collection containerRefrigerate during collection.FrozenCall Client Services at 216-444-5755 or 800-628-6816 for collection container. Submit ENTIRE COLLECTION of stool from 24 hour stool collection. This test may NOT be added onto another stool test.
5 gStoolMayo Stool collection containerRefrigerate during collection.FrozenRandom collection in Mayo stool collection container. Call Client Services at 216-444-5755 or 800-628-6816 for collection container.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
5 g     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
AmbientUnacceptable
Refrigerated180 days
Frozen180 days

Days Performed

Mon - Fri

Turnaround Time

3 - 6 days

Methodology

Name Description
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy 

Reference Range

Fecal Fat Quantitative
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       2 - 7 g/24 hrs (> or = 18 years) 
Random collection
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       <20% fat 

Special Info

Length of collection period is required for testing. Label all collection containers X of X; e.g. 1 of 2, 2 of 2, and send all containers. Barium interferes with test procedure; a waiting period of 48 hours before stool collection is recommended. For 3 days prior to and during the collection period: 1. Patients should be on a fat-controlled diet (100-150 g fat/day), 2. No laxatives (particularly mineral oil and castor oil), 3. No synthetic fat stubstitutes (e.g. Olestra) or fat-blocking nutritional supplements. The use of diaper rash ointments will falsely elevate test results. Discontinue use during collection period.

Clinical Info

Useful for diagnosing fat malabsorption due to pancreatic or intestinal disorders. CAUTION: Do not use for differentiating among pancreatic diseases.