Ordering Guidance

This test is for evaluation of bowel dysfunction or confirmatory testing for bile acid malabsorption using a 48-hour fecal collection.

For evaluation of hepatobiliary dysfunction, order BILEA / Bile Acids, Total, Serum.

For evaluation of patients treated with urso or cholate, order BAFS / Bile Acids, Fractionated and Total, Serum.

For evaluation of inborn errors of metabolism, order BAIPD / Bile Acids for Peroxisomal Disorders, Serum.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation:

1. The patient should be on a fat-controlled diet (100-150 g fat per day) for 3 days before and during the collection period.

2. Patient should not use:

 a. Antibiotics for 7 days before or during specimen collection

 b. Statins for 5 days before or during specimen collection

 c. Laxatives (particularly mineral oil and castor oil) for 3 days before or during specimen collection.

 d. Bile acid sequestrants for 24 hours before or during specimen collection

 e. Synthetic fat substitutes (eg, Olestra) or fat-blocking nutritional supplements for 24 hours before or during the specimen collection

3. If the patient has used barium, it is recommended to wait at least 48 hours before collecting the specimen.

Supplies: Stool Containers - 24, 48, 72 Hour Kit (T291)

Collection Container/Tube: Stool container that complies with shipping requirements

Specimen Volume: Entire 48-hour collection

Collection Instructions:

1. Do not use other containers.

2. Freeze immediately.

3. All containers must be sent together.

4. The entire collection must contain at least 5 g of feces.

5. The number of containers sent should be indicated on the labels (1 of 4, for example).

Additional Information:

1. The patient may store specimen at refrigerate temperature during the collection period, but it must be frozen immediately after completion.

2. If additional tests are ordered, aliquot and separate sample prior to freezing to allow 1 container per test.