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Geisinger Medical Laboratories Test Catalog
FECAL FAT, QUALITATIVE |
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ORDERING INFORMATION: |
Geisinger Epic Procedure Code: LAB2266 Geisinger Epic ID: 44152 | |
SPECIMEN COLLECTION |
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Specimen type: |
Stool | |
Preferred collection container: |
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Specimen required: |
5 grams or 5 mL of random stool (Minimum volume 1 gram or 1 mL) | |
Special notes: |
Limitations: Up to 12 grams of fat may be malabsorbed among patients with diarrhea even when the diarrhea is not attributable to fat malabsorption | |
Patient preparation: |
Patient should be on a normal diet which includes fat intake. Patient should not use castor oil, mineral oil, suppositories or barium prior to collection of specimen. Fat substitutes such as Olestra may cause interference and should be avoided | |
| SPECIMEN PROCESSING |
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Specimen processing instructions: |
Many specimens for fecal fat analysis are rejected due to stability issues. In the interest of patient care, please submit all stool specimens for fecal fat as frozen specimens. This will ensure a reduction in specimens that have exceeded stability. | |
Transport temperature: |
Frozen. | |
Specimen stability: |
Room Temperature: Unacceptable. Refrigerated: 5 days. Frozen: 30 days. | |
Rejection criteria: |
Thawed specimens. Specimens in transport media or on swabs. Samples submitted in paint cans. | |
TEST DETAILS |
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Interpretation guide: |
Results may indicate malabsorption or maldigestion. False positive results can occur due to mineral oil or castor oil present in the specimen. Large number of neutral fat globules may indicate steatorrhea. | |
CPT code(s): |
82705 | |
| Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding. Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed. The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. | ||
Test includes: |
Microscopic Examination of Sudan-Stained Smear | |
Methodology: |
Microscopic Examination of Sudan III Stained Smear |
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Synonyms: |
Stool fat, lipids, Quest test code 3967 SFQL
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Clinical significance: |
Results may indicate malabsorption or maldigestion. False positive results can occur due to mineral oil or castor oil present in the specimen. Large number of neutral fat globules may indicate steatorrhea. | |