Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In
Navigate Up

26041 Reducing Substance, Feces (UREDF)

Reducing Substance, Feces (UREDF)
Test Code: UREDFSO
Synonyms/Keywords
stool sugar, fecal sugar
Test Components

Screening test (Benedict's Copper Reduction Reaction) for:

Diarrhea from disaccharidase deficiencies, (eg, lactase deficiency)

Monosaccharide malabsorption

Useful For
​Assisting in the differentiation between osmotic and nonosmotic diarrhea.
 
Testing for fecal reducing substances (carbohydrates) aides in determining the underlying cause of diarrhea. Elevations in fecal reducing substances helps 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.
 
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No ​Fecal ​Sterile Container ​Clean Sage Cup ​3 grams ​2 grams ​2 grams
Collection Processing Instructions

1. Collect a loose, random stool 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 Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Fecal ​Frozen ​7 days
Rejection Criteria
Specimens from timed collections (24, 48 or 72 hours)
​Formed stool
Interference

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.

Stool 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. Ambient transport temperatures result in growth of bacteria that consume sugars resulting in falsely decreased values.

Ambient specimens will be rejected.

Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​Monday through Saturday ​1 day ​Benedict's Copper Reduction Reaction
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Test Information
​This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Mayo Medical Laboratories

​Negative or Trace

Negative: negative
Normal: < or =0.25 g/dL (trace)
Suspicious: >0.25 to 0.50 g/dL (grade 1)
Abnormal: >0.50 g/dL (grade 2-4)
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​84376 ​ ​1 ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
stool sugar, fecal sugar
Test Components

Screening test (Benedict's Copper Reduction Reaction) for:

Diarrhea from disaccharidase deficiencies, (eg, lactase deficiency)

Monosaccharide malabsorption

Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centiricty ​Reducing Substance, Feces (UREDF)
​Cerner ​Reducing Substance, Feces (UREDF)
​COM ​Reducing Substance, Feces (UREDF)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No ​Fecal ​Sterile Container ​Clean Sage Cup ​3 grams ​2 grams ​2 grams
Collection Processing

1. Collect a loose, random stool 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 Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Fecal ​Frozen ​7 days
Rejection Criteria
Specimens from timed collections (24, 48 or 72 hours)
​Formed stool
Interference

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.

Stool 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. Ambient transport temperatures result in growth of bacteria that consume sugars resulting in falsely decreased values.

Ambient specimens will be rejected.

Useful For
​Assisting in the differentiation between osmotic and nonosmotic diarrhea.
 
Testing for fecal reducing substances (carbohydrates) aides in determining the underlying cause of diarrhea. Elevations in fecal reducing substances helps 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.
 
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Test Components

Screening test (Benedict's Copper Reduction Reaction) for:

Diarrhea from disaccharidase deficiencies, (eg, lactase deficiency)

Monosaccharide malabsorption

Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Mayo Medical Laboratories

​Negative or Trace

Negative: negative
Normal: < or =0.25 g/dL (trace)
Suspicious: >0.25 to 0.50 g/dL (grade 1)
Abnormal: >0.50 g/dL (grade 2-4)
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​Monday through Saturday ​1 day ​Benedict's Copper Reduction Reaction
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​84376 ​ ​1 ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.