Fecal Fat Sample Specimen

Instructions for Obtaining 72 Hour Fecal Fat Specimen
Used to test for proper digestion of fats by the gut.

This test measures fat in stool (feces). This test works best if people eat a high fat diet - with about the same amount of fat each day – for 5 days in a row. Stool collection begins the morning of the third day and continues for two more days (72 hours total collection time). A collection container is obtained from the laboratory.

Diet Plan

It is very important that you follow this diet ( 100 grams fat per day ) as closely as possible. A sample daily menu is provided to help you with your meal planning. Be very careful to measure your meat, milk and fats to ensure you eat the correct amount.

Food	Fat (grams)
2 cups whole milk (see note 1)	20
8 oz. lean meat: chicken, turkey breast, pork loin, beef loin or round	24
1 egg	5
4 or more servings fruit/vegetables (see note 2)	0
4 or more servings whole grain bread, cereal, rice or pasta (see note 3)	0
10 teaspoons fat servings: margarine, butter, or oil, added to the food you eat	50
popsicles, unbuttered popcorn, fruit, non-fat frozen yogurt	0
Total	99 Grams

Notes
1. If you cannot tolerate milk, substitute 1 teaspoon of margarine or oil for each cup of milk.
2. All fresh, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are acceptable. They may be eaten raw or cooked without additional fat.
3. Other alternatives in the category include: corn or no-fat flour tortillas, pita bread, bagels, matzos, noodles, chipitas, brown or white rice, low fat crackers and hot cereal made with water.
4. If you do not eat meat you may substitute any of the following for one ounce of lean meat: 4 oz. tofu, 1 egg, 1½ oz. natural cheese, 1 oz. fish, 2 Tbls. Nuts or seeds, 2 Tbls. Peanut butter or 1/3 cup whole milk.

Sample Menu
Breakfast
• 1 egg fried with 1 teaspoon oil
• 1 cup whole milk
• toast with 1 teaspoon margarine or butter
• juice or fruit
• coffee

Lunch
• Sandwich: 3 oz. lean meat (turkey, chicken, ham, roast beef or tuna), 2 slices bread and 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
• green salad (no avocados, olives, nuts, seeds) with 2 Tbls. Salad dressing (not fat-free)
• 1 cup whole milk
• fruit

Dinner
• 5 oz. lean meat (turkey, chicken, roast beef)
• baked potato with 1 tsp. margarine or butter
• vegetables, plain

Specimen Collection
1. The laboratory will provide you with a specimen container. It is very important to collect all the stool you pass for 3 days.

2. Pass the stool directly into the specimen container or place plastic wrap over the toilet bowl and pass stool onto the plastic. Transfer the entire stool into the specimen container.

3. Do not allow urine or water to come in contact with the stool specimen.

4. Keep the specimen cool during the collection time. The collection container may be kept in the refrigerator or in a separate insulated cooler, packed in wet ice, until returning the specimen to the laboratory.

5. Collect all stool (bowel movements) you pass for 72 hours (3 days).

6. Be sure your container is labeled with your name, Kaiser Permanente medical record number, and the sample date and time before you leave the laboratory.

7. Return the specimen container with any slip(s) your provider gave you to the laboratory receptionist the day you finish collection.

Disclaimer
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