What does the Faecal Fat (Steatocrit or Qualitative) test measure?

Why is Faecal Fat (Steatocrit or Qualitative) measured?

Elevated faecal fat points to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, coeliac disease, small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth, bile-acid malabsorption, or mucosal disease. It should be correlated with pancreatic elastase-1 and clinical history to localise the defect.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

<15–20% generally considered normal; method-dependent.

Functional medicine optimal

<15%; persistently elevated values warrant investigation of pancreatic, hepatobiliary, and small-bowel function.

Units

%

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.