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Test Code Soft Z0487 (Mayo UREDF) Reducing Substance, Feces

Additional Codes

Mayo code UREDF
SoftLab code Z0487
Epic code LAB442
Epic name Reducing Substance, Stool

 

Reporting Name

Reducing Substance, F

Useful For

Assisting in the differentiation between osmotic and nonosmotic diarrhea

 

Screening test for:

-Diarrhea from disaccharidase deficiencies, (eg, lactase deficiency)

-Monosaccharide malabsorption

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Fecal


Specimen Required


Supplies: Stool container, Small (Random), 4 oz Random (T288)

Container/Tube: Fecal container

Specimen Volume: 3 g

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a loose, unpreserved, random fecal specimen.

2. Freeze immediately.

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


Specimen Minimum Volume

2 g

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Fecal Frozen 7 days

Reference Values

Negative or trace

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

84376

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
UREDF Reducing Substance, F 11060-1

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
6215 Reducing Substance, F 11060-1

Clinical Information

Fecal reducing substances (carbohydrates) aids in determining the underlying cause of diarrhea. Elevations in fecal reducing substances help distinguish between osmotic diarrhea caused by abnormal excretion of various sugars as opposed to diarrhea caused by viruses and parasites. Increased reducing substances in stool are consistent with, but not diagnostic of, primary or secondary disaccharidase deficiency (primarily lactase deficiency) or intestinal monosaccharide malabsorption. Similar intestinal absorption deficiencies are associated with short bowel syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Interpretation

Negative: Negative

Normal: ≤0.25 g/dL (trace)

Suspicious: >0.25 to 0.50 g/dL (grade 1)

Abnormal: >0.50 g/dL (grade 2-4)

Cautions

This test has poor sensitivity for oligosaccharides.

 

Antibiotics can alter the intestinal flora and affect acid production.

 

False-positive reactions due to drugs (salicylates, penicillin, ascorbic acid, nalidixic acid, cephalosporins, and probenecid) are possible.

 

Feces may be contaminated with urine, in which case glycosuria will give false-positive results.

 

Diaper collections can be falsely decreased as the fluid portion containing water soluble sugars is absorbed into the diaper.

 

Bacteria in specimen consumes sugars resulting in falsely decreased values. Specimen should be frozen within 30 minutes of collection.

Clinical Reference

1. Siddiqui HA, Salwen MJ, Shaikh MF, Bowne WB: Laboratory diagnosis of gastrointestinal and pancreatic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. Elsevier; 2017:306-323

2. Branski D: Disorders of malabsorption. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Elsevier; 2016:1831-1850

3. Bhatia J, Prihoda AR, Richardson CJ: Parenteral antibiotics and carbohydrate intolerance in term neonates. Am J Dis Child. 1986;140(2):111-113

4. Book LS, Herbst JJ, Jung AL: Carbohydrate malabsorption in necrotizing enterocolitis. Pediatrics. 1976;57(2):201-204

5. Krom FA, Frank CG: Clinitesting neonatal stools. Neonatal Network. 1989 Oct;8(2):37-40

6. Burtis CA, Ashwood ER: Qualitative methods for total reducing substances. In: Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. 2nd ed. 1994;968-969

Method Description

Copper sulfate in the tablet reacts with reducing substances converting cupric sulfate to cuprous oxide.(Package insert: AimTab Reducing Substances Tablets. Germaine Laboratories, Inc; 12/2015)

Specimen Retention Time

7 days

Reject Due To

Urine and feces mixed
Feces collected in any preservative or fixative		 Reject

Method Name

Benedict's Copper Reduction Reaction

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728) with the specimen.

Secondary ID

607696

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

1 to 3 days