Stool Analysis
Results
A stool analysis is a series of tests
done on a stool (feces) sample to help diagnose certain conditions affecting
the Reference digestive tract Opens New Window Reference 
Opens New Window.
The normal values listed here—called a reference range—are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what’s normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab.
Stool analysis test results usually take at least 1 to 3 days.
| Normal: |
The stool appears brown, soft, and well-formed in consistency. |
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The stool does not contain blood, mucus, pus, undigested meat fibers, harmful Reference bacteria Opens New Window, Reference viruses Opens New Window, Reference fungi Opens New Window, or Reference parasites Opens New Window. |
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The stool is shaped like a tube. |
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The Reference pH Opens New Window of the stool is 7.0–7.5.Reference 1 |
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The stool contains less than 0.25 Reference grams per deciliter (g/dL) Opens New Window[less than 13.9 Reference millimoles per liter (mmol/L) Opens New Window] of sugars called reducing factors.Reference 1 |
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The stool contains 2–7 Reference grams Opens New Window of fat per 24 hours (g/24h).Reference 1 |
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| Abnormal: |
The stool is black, red, white, yellow, or green. |
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The stool is liquid or very hard. |
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There is too much stool. |
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The stool contains blood, mucus, pus, undigested meat fibers, harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. |
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The stool contains low levels of Reference enzymes Opens New Window, such as trypsin or elastase. |
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The pH of the stool is less than 7.0 or greater than 7.5. |
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The stool contains 0.25 g/dL (13.9 mmol/L) or more of sugars called reducing factors. |
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The stool contains more than 7 g/24h 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 past health.
Abnormal values
- High levels of fat in the stool may be caused by diseases such as Reference pancreatitis Opens New Window, Reference sprue (celiac disease) Opens New Window, Reference cystic fibrosis Opens New Window, or other disorders that affect the absorption of fats.
- The presence of undigested meat fibers in the stool may be caused by pancreatitis.
- A low pH may be caused by poor absorption of Reference carbohydrate Opens New Window or fat. Stool with a high pH may mean inflammation in the intestine (colitis), cancer, or antibiotic use.
- Blood in the stool may be caused by bleeding in the digestive tract.
- Reference White blood cells Opens New Window in the stool may be caused by inflammation of the intestines, such as Reference ulcerative colitis Opens New Window, or a bacterial infection.
- Reference Rotaviruses Opens New Window 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 mean 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 Reference gout Opens New Window) or birth control pills may also cause low levels.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference March 7, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
