Test Directory

The presence of reducing substances is useful in the diagnosis of abnormalities in carbohydrate metabolism, i.e., sucrose and lactase. The unabsorbed sugars in stool are measured as reducing substances.

Specimen Type: Stool

Collection Container: Sterile Container (screw cap)

Desired Specimen Volume: 10 g

1. Collect random stool in a sterile container (screw cap).
2. Adult and older children patients can collect the specimen by passing feces into plastic wrap stretched loosely over the toilet bowl.
3. With young children and infants wearing diapers, the diaper should be lined with clean plastic wrap to prevent absorption. A pediatric urine bag can be attached to the child to ensure that the stool specimen is not contaminated with urine. Do not submit the diaper itself.

1. Transport 10 grams of stool in the original collection container and freeze.
2. If using the plastic wrap method, transfer 10 g of the stool specimen from the plastic wrap to the sterile plastic container (screw cap) and then freeze.

Transport to the laboratory frozen. 

• Received thawed
• Specimens in paint cans

See patient report.