Stool studies The total amount of fat excreted in the stool is determined in the laboratory. This is helpful in determining the degree of malabsorption; usually less than 7gm of fat per day are excreted in stool. Bile acid deficiency and bacterial overgrowth usually do not produce a fecal fat of more than 30gm per day.
When there is inadequate absorption of fats in the digestive tract, stool contains excess fat and is light-colored, soft, bulky, greasy, and unusually foul-smelling (such stool is called steatorrhea).
Your doctor may do several tests to find the cause of the problem. They include: Stool test: Too much fat in your stool could mean malabsorption. Lactose hydrogen breath test: A doctor can see how well you absorb nutrients by measuring how much hydrogen is in your breath after you drink a milk sugar (lactose) solution.
Regardless of the cause, malabsorption syndrome refers to the clinical picture comprising diarrhea, steatorrhea, malnutrition, weight loss, abdominal pain, and anemia. Undigested food produces diarrhea, due to its voluminous effect in the bowel lumen.
Steatorrhea is the result of fat malabsorption. The hallmark of steatorrhea is the passage of pale, bulky, and malodorous stools. Such stools often float on top of the toilet water and are difficult to flush. Also, patients often find floating oil droplets in the toilet following defecation.
Malabsorption refers to decreased intestinal absorption of carbohydrate, protein, fat, minerals or vitamins. There are many symptoms associated with malabsorption. Weight loss, diarrhea, greasy stools (due to high fat content), abdominal bloating and gas are suggestive of malabsorption.
Malabsorption is characterized by diarrhea, steatorrhea, excessive gas, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Diarrhea is caused by decreased intestinal absorption, colonic secretion of fluid induced by hydroxy fatty acids, and osmotic overload of bile salts and fatty acids.
There are three stages of nutrient absorption: luminal, mucosal, postabsorptive. Malabsorption syndromes are categorized according to which of these three stages is or are affected. The luminal phase involves mechanical mixing and digestive enzymes.
The fecal fat test measures the amount of fat in the stool. This can help gauge the percentage of dietary fat that the body does not absorb.
Hematologic tests indicated in the workup of malabsorption include the following: A complete blood cell (CBC) count may reveal microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency or macrocytic anemia due to vitamin B12 (cobalamin) or B9 (folate) malabsorption.
More specific diagnostic tests (eg, upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, barium x-rays) are indicated to diagnose several causes of malabsorption.
Autoimmune diseases like celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and Crohn's disease can cause malabsorption syndrome.
Yellow stool may indicate a malabsorption disorder caused by a parasite, illness, or disease.
Malabsorption and IBS
Yes, some of the symptoms of malabsorption are the same as those of IBS. You will be relieved to know that it is not believed that IBS results in the malabsorption of many key nutrients. However, some malabsorption problems may be behind your IBS symptoms.
Giardia intestinalis is the protozoan parasite most commonly associated with malabsorption. Infection with this protozoan is common in the tropics and is often a cause of diarrhoeal illness in visitors to the tropics.
Stool tests.
A stool test can measure the fat content in your stools to diagnose fat malabsorption. It can also reveal parasitic infections, and it can show evidence of decreased pancreatic function.
Patients with steatorrhea present with bulky, pale, foul-smelling oily stools. These fatty stools tend to float in the toilet bowl and often challenging to flush as well. In the early stages, steatorrhea may be asymptomatic and go unnoticed.
Ataxia is frequently present. Dysarthria and nystagmus may occur. Symptoms and signs of peripheral neuropathy, including paresthesias, impaired proprioception, impaired vibratory perception, and hyporeflexia are also common.
Malabsorption can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, and even failure to thrive in many people. A person can also experience impaired wound healing, a deficient immune system, and low energy levels. Get our free IBD micro-lessons to learn how you can improve the way you manage Crohn's or ulcerative colitis.
Malabsorption is when your body has trouble digesting food and absorbing nutrients. Common symptoms include bloating, weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness, abdominal discomfort, bad smelling stools, rashes, swollen feet and hands, and nausea and vomiting.
DDX. Malabsorption, also known as leaky gut or intestinal permeability, can be the result of multiple different issues.
Fatty stools (steatorrhea) are the hallmark of malabsorption; a stool test for fat is the best screening test. Malabsorption does not always cause diarrhea. Clinical signs of vitamin or mineral deficiencies may occur in the absence of diarrhea.