Subject: Re: FECAL FATS
Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Topic Area: Diarrhea
Posted by HFHSM.D.-ym on September 07, 1998 at 21:40:41:
In Reply to: FECAL FATS posted by DONNA D on September 07, 1998 at 06:44:05:

Dear Donna D.,

Steatorrhea (increased fat excretion in the stool secondary to fat malabsorption) has a variety of causes. Some of these causes include: chronic pancreatitis, reduced availability of bile salts (necessary for fat absorption), reduction in length of the small intestine (such as in short bowel syndrome) or obstruction of lymphatic channels. Steatorrhea often presents with diarrhea, weight loss and greasy, oily stools that sometimes float to the surface of the toilet. A normal person generally absorbs 95-98 percent of dietary lipid. Normal fecal fat excretion should be less than 4-6 grams/day during a 100 gram fat diet. Intestinal malabsorption of fat is often accompanied by malabsorption of carbohydrates, protein, other nutrients, water and electrolytes.

Quantitative measurement of the fat in a timed stool collection (72 hour fecal fat) obtained during controlled dietary fat ingestion has a high degree of sensitivity and specificity for fat malabsorption and is often obtained when a precise diagnosis of steatorrhea is important. If 24 hour fecal fat excretion is less than 5 grams and the combined stool weight is less than 200-250 grams mucosal or pancreatic disease can almost always be excluded. However, patients with symptomatic carbohydrate malabsorption may have increased fecal weight from the increased water but no increase in fecal fat. Fecal fat can be abnormally increased in patients who are taking mineral oil or other poorly digested lipids. I hope you find this information helpful.

This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.

If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians' Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat one of our experts in Gastroenterology.

HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: steatorrhea, fecal fat excretion

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