Stool Analysis

Fecal Analysis

Results

A stool analysis is a series of tests done on a stool (feces) sample to help diagnose certain conditions affecting the digestive tract.

Stool analysis test results usually take at least 1 to 3 days.

Stool analysis

Normal:	The stool appears brown, soft, and well-formed in consistency.
	The stool does not contain blood, mucus, pus, harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
	The stool is shaped like a tube.
	The pH of the stool is about 6.
	The stool contains less than 2 milligrams per gram (mg/g) of sugars called reducing factors.
Abnormal:	The stool is black, red, white, yellow, or green.
	The stool is liquid or very hard.
	There is too much stool.
	The stool contains blood, mucus, pus, harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
	The stool contains low levels of enzymes, such as trypsin or elastase.
	The pH of the stool is less than 5.3 or greater than 6.8.
	The stool contains more than 5 mg/g of sugars called reducing factors; between 2 and 5 mg/g is considered borderline.
	The stool contains more than 7 g of fat (if your fat intake is about 100 g a day).

 

Many conditions can change the results of a stool analysis. Your doctor will talk with you about any abnormal results that may be related to your symptoms and medical history.

Abnormal values

• High levels of fat in the stool may be caused by diseases such as pancreatitis, sprue (celiac disease), cystic fibrosis, or other disorders that affect the absorption of fats.
• The presence of undigested meat fibers in the stool may be caused by pancreatitis.
• A pH greater than 6.8 may be caused by poor absorption of carbohydrate or fat and problems with the amount of bile in the digestive tract. Stool with a pH less than 5.3 may indicate poor absorption of sugars.
• Blood in the stool may be caused by bleeding in the digestive tract.
• White blood cells in the stool may be caused by inflammation of the intestines, such as ulcerative colitis, or a bacterial infection.
• Rotaviruses are a common cause of diarrhea in young children. If diarrhea is present, testing may be done to look for rotaviruses in the stool.
• High levels of reducing factors in the stool may indicate a problem digesting some sugars.
• Low levels of reducing factors may be caused by sprue (celiac disease), cystic fibrosis, or malnutrition. Medicine such as colchicine (for gout) or birth control pills may also cause low levels.

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Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: April 11, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology
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