Stool fat globules test
Quick answer: This test checks a stool sample under a microscope for fat droplets. It helps doctors look for poor fat absorption, for example from pancreas problems or gut conditions such as coeliac disease.
- SampleStool
- TakesA few minutes to collect the sample
- Before the testNo special preparation is usually needed; collect the sample in the clean container given.
How the test is done
- 1You collect a small amount of stool in a clean, dry container
- 2You keep urine and water out of the sample
- 3The lab places a little stool on a slide with a fat stain
- 4Fat droplets show up as coloured globules under the microscope
What your results can mean
Reading your report
Results describe whether more fat than usual is seen; your doctor may order further tests to find the cause.
If the result is outside the usual range
Excess fat in stool can point to poor fat absorption, as seen with pancreas problems, coeliac disease or bile flow problems. Small amounts can be normal, especially after a very fatty meal.
Who usually has this test
People with oily, pale, foul-smelling or floating stools, weight loss or long-lasting diarrhoea.
Risks and aftercare
There are no risks; wash your hands well after handling the sample.
Names and options
Also called: fecal fat test, stool fat, Sudan stain stool
Listed by the hospital as
- FAT GLOBULES, STOOL
Questions about this test
What are the signs of fat in stool?
Stools may look pale, greasy or bulky, float, smell very bad and be hard to flush. This is called steatorrhoea, and this test helps confirm it.
Does my diet before the test matter?
Eating your normal diet with some fat helps the test show whether fat is being absorbed. Follow any specific diet the lab gives you.
Is this the same as a 72-hour faecal fat test?
No. This is a quick microscope check on one sample. A 72-hour collection measures the total fat passed and gives more detail.
Related tests
Tamara Hospital & IVF Centre, Rajajinagar
34/3, 10th Cross Road, opp. Vardhaka Sardar Patel School, 1st N Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010
The hospital is open 24 hours. Call before you come to check the timing for your scan or sample collection.
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This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.