Nitrogen, Total, Feces | Cleveland Clinic Laboratories

Nitrogen, Total, Feces Print

Test Mnemonic

NITF

CPT Codes

84999 - QTY (1)

LOINC ^®

16141-4

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Dpt of Lab Med & Pathology

Specimen Requirements

Volume	Type	Container	Collect Temperature	Transport Temperature	Special Instructions
5 g	Stool	Mayo Stool collection container		Frozen	Submit entire collection of a 24, 48, 72, or 96 hour timed specimen. Must contain at least 5 grams of stool. Barium and boric acid interfere with the test.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume	Type	Container	Collect Temperature	Transport Temperature	Special Instructions
2.5 g					From a 24, 48, 72, or 96 hour collection

Stability

Environmental Condition	Description
Ambient	7 days
Refrigerated	7 days
Frozen	Preferred

Days Performed

Tue, Fri

Turnaround Time

2 - 6 days

Methodology

Name	Description
Dumas Combustion

Reference Range

Nitrogen Total Feces
Sex	Age From	Age To	Type	Range	Range Unit
	Years	15 Years	Normal	Not Established
	16 Years	99 Years	Normal	1 - 2	g/24 hrs

Special Info

Send ENTIRE STOOL COLLECTION in a Mayo stool container (Supply T291). Include collection period and weight of entire collection with the sample. Call Client Services at 800-628-6816 or 216-444-5755 for stool containers.

Clinical Info

Average fecal nitrogen excretion is approximately 2 g/day, but fecal nitrogen excretion is highly variable, especially in conditions resulting in excessive protein catabolism. Significantly abnormal excretion rates, resulting in negative nitrogen balance, may be associated with severe stress due to multiple trauma, head injury, sepsis, or extensive burns. Elevated values >2.5 g total fecal nitrogen/24 hours are usually found in cases of chronic progressive pancreatitis. The goal with therapy for a depleted person is a positive nitrogen balance of 4 to 6 g nitrogen/24-hours. Measurement of both urine and fecal nitrogen is necessary for the accurate determination of nitrogen balance.