Malabsorption

Malabsorption is characterized by the inability to digest or absorb nutrients from the small intestine into the bloodstream and is related to diseases of the pancreas, liver, and intestine. Test choice depends on the clinician’s suspicion regarding the etiology of the malabsorption (eg, carbohydrate malabsorption versus fat malabsorption). “Shotgun” approaches to malabsorption evaluations are not recommended.

Tabs Content

Clinical Overview

Key Points

Diarrhea is a common complaint in malabsorptive disorders. Multiple tests are available for evaluating malabsorption; some are more sensitive than others.

Inflammation/infection testing

Inflammation/Infection Testing^a
Test	Purpose of Test	Sensitivity/Specificity False Positives/Negatives	Test Characteristics/Requirements
Fecal leukocytes	Inflammation assessment IBD Infectious etiologies	Sensitive for inflammation Not specific	Specimen – fecal, single random Method – trichrome stain with microscopic evaluation
Occult Blood, Fecal by Immunoassay 2007190	Fecal blood assessment IBD Malignancy Infectious etiologies	Sensitive Not specific	Specimen – fecal, single random Method – qualitative immunoassay
Lactoferrin, Fecal by ELISA 0061164	Do not use to diagnose IBD or IBS Positive result – indicative of the presence of lactoferrin, a marker for fecal leukocytes Negative result – does not exclude the presence of intestinal inflammation Monitor IBD	n/a	Specimen – fecal, single random Method – ELISA
Calprotectin, Fecal 0092303	Inflammation assessment (indirect) Aid in differentiation of IBD from IBS and other functional disorders of the GI system Monitor IBD	n/a	Specimen – fecal, single random Method – ELISA
Gastrointestinal Parasite Panel by PCR 2011150	Infectious assessment	High sensitivity/specificity	Specimen – fecal, single random Method – PCR
Gastrointestinal Bacterial Panel by PCR 2012678	Infectious assessment	High sensitivity/specificity	Specimen – fecal, single random Method – PCR
^aAll linked tests are offered by ARUP Laboratories ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; GI, gastrointestinal; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; IBS, irritable bowel syndrome; n/a, not available; PCR, polymerase chain reaction

Carbohydrate malabsorption testing

Carbohydrate Malabsorption Testing^a
Test	Purpose of Test	Sensitivity/Specificity False Positives/Negatives	Test Characteristics/Requirements
Disaccharidase in Tissue 3002037	Use to evaluate malabsorption due to disaccharidase deficiency	n/a	Specimen – tissue biopsy of small bowel Method – quantitative spectrophotometry
Reducing Substances, Fecal 0020373	Carbohydrate malabsorption assessment (indirect) Presence of reducing substances suggests carbohydrate malabsorption Most useful in children who are unable to undergo lactose tolerance or hydrogen breath tests	Poor sensitivity for oligosaccharide malabsorption False positives – other compounds can reduce cupric ions to cuprous ions	Specimen – fecal, single random Method – semiquantitative colorimetry
pH, Fecal 0020518	Carbohydrate malabsorption assessment (indirect) Acidic pH (<5.5) suggests carbohydrate (lactose) malabsorption	Moderate sensitivity Increasing age of stool will increase rate of false positives	Specimen – fecal, single random Discontinue antibiotics 1-2 wks prior to test Method – quantitative pH indicator strips/quantitative pH meter
Celiac Disease Reflexive Cascade 2008114	Celiac disease assessment High antibody titers very suggestive of celiac disease Gold standard for diagnosis is tissue biopsy	High sensitivity/specificity	Specimen – serum Method – quantitative nephelometry/semiquantitative ELISA/semiquantitative IFA Multiple methods for cascade
Hydrogen breath test	Carbohydrate (lactose or fructose) malabsorption or bacterial overgrowth assessment Late peak (2-4 hrs) of >10-20 ppm of exhaled H2 – suggestive of malabsorption ~2 hr peak >10-20 ppm of exhaled H2 – suggestive of bacterial overgrowth	Sensitivity Greater than lactose tolerance test Approximates small bowel culture for bacterial overgrowth evaluation False negatives Carbohydrate malabsorption (eg, chronic pancreatitis, celiac disease, delayed gastric emptying) False positives Gastric motility disorders	Basal breath test, interval testing Follow up hydrogen breath levels at 30 min intervals for 4-5 hrs post dose Oral glucose/lactose – bacterial overgrowth Oral fructose/sucrose – fructose malabsorption Overnight fast required Reduced carbohydrate diet for 24 hr pretest
Lactose Tolerance 0020407	Carbohydrate (lactose) malabsorption assessment Not recommended – replaced by hydrogen breath test	Variable	Specimen – fasting serum, interval sampling post dose Reduced carbohydrate diet for 24 hr pretest Method – quantitative enzymatic
^aAll linked tests are offered by ARUP Laboratories ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IFA, indirect fluorescent antibody; n/a, not available

Fat malabsorption testing

Fat Malabsorption Testing^a
Test	Purpose of Test	Sensitivity/ Specificity False Positives/Negatives	Test Characteristics/Requirements
Fat, Fecal Qualitative 0020385	Measurement of fecal fats can be useful in establishing a diagnosis of pancreatic disease	High sensitivity/specificity when fat malabsorption >10 g/24 hrs	Specimen – fecal, random Daily intake 50-150 g/day fat 3 days prior to testing Method – qualitative microscopy/stain
Fat, Fecal Quantitative, Homogenized Aliquot 2002350 Fat, Fecal Quantitative 24-Hour Collection (Includes Homogenization) 2002354 Fat, Fecal Quantitative 48-Hour Collection (Includes Homogenization) 2002355 Fat, Fecal Quantitative 72-Hour Collection (Includes Homogenization) 2002356	Fat malabsorption assessment >7 g/24 hrs is suggestive of fat malabsorption	High sensitivity/lacks specificity False negatives – incomplete collection, uncontrolled fat intake	Specimen – fecal, random (for quantitative test); 24-, 48-, and 72-hr tests are available (refer to list of tests in first column) Daily intake 50-150 g/day fat 3 days prior to testing Method – NMR spectroscopy
^aAll linked tests are offered by ARUP Laboratories NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance

Pancreatic exocrine function testing

Pancreatic Exocrine Function Testing^a
Test	Purpose of Test	Sensitivity/ Specificity False Positives/Negatives	Test Characteristics/Requirements
Pancreatic Elastase, Fecal by ELISA 0080526	Pancreatic exocrine function assessment Low concentrations suggest pancreatic exocrine dysfunction	Sensitive, specific Good correlation with invasive tests of exocrine function results	Specimen –fecal, single random Pancreatic enzyme supplementation must be discontinued prior to testing Method – ELISA
Chymotrypsin, Fecal 2005160	Pancreatic exocrine function assessment Low concentrations suggest pancreatic exocrine dysfunction Not recommended – elastase measures are better	Fecal elastase testing is superior in sensitivity and specificity	Specimen – fecal, single random Pancreatic enzyme supplementation must be discontinued prior to testing Method – quantitative enzymatic/spectometry
Secretinstimulation test	Pancreatic exocrine function assessment Gold standard test	High sensitivity for pancreatic function	Overnight fast required Discontinuation of H2 blockers 24 hrs prior to test Discontinuation of proton-pump inhibitors 7 days prior to test Method – collection of duodenal fluids for 2 hrs after stimulation with IV secretin
^aAll linked tests are offered by ARUP Laboratories ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IV, intravenous

Diagnosis

Indications for Testing

Chronic diarrhea, steatorrhea, or preexisting condition that may predispose to malabsorption

Laboratory Testing

Initial nonspecific screening tests
- CBC
  - Mild anemia frequent; leukocytosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or infectious etiology
  - Eosinophilia – consider parasitic evaluation
- Electrolyte panel
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
  - Preferred test to detect inflammatory processes (Choosing Wisely: 20 Things Physicians and Patients Should Question, 2017; American Society for Clinical Pathology)
  - If CRP not available, order erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- Liver enzymes, including albumin – low albumin suggests chronic processes
Specific tests
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) – rule out thyroid disease
- Cystic fibrosis testing (sweat chloride)
- Initial fecal tests – perform in parallel with serum tests
- Consider celiac testing (tissue transglutaminase [tTG] antibody testing with IgA level)
- Stool culture, ova and parasite – evaluation using gastrointestinal panels; Clostridium difficile testing if risk factors present
  - Fecal leukocytes – present in IBD, infectious diarrhea
  - Fecal occult blood
  - Fecal fat, qualitative/quantitative
Secondary testing
- Based on clinical history and above test results
- Refer to Key Points

Imaging Studies

If initial test results are normal, consider abdominal computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound, endoscopy.

Differential Diagnosis

Refer to causes of malabsorption in Background.

Background

Causes of Malabsorption

Inadequate digestion of nutrients
- Deficiencies of pancreatic enzymes (eg, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic carcinoma, cystic fibrosis)
- Impaired synthesis or secretion of bile (eg, biliary obstruction, cirrhosis)
- Deconjugation of bile salts (eg, blind-loop syndrome)
Inadequate absorption of nutrients
- Shortened bowel or loss of absorptive surface (eg, inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, gluten-sensitive enteropathy [celiac sprue], tropical sprue, lymphoma, surgical loss of functional bowel, blind-loop syndrome, hormonal disorders)
- Impaired nutrient metabolism (eg, deficiency of intestinal disaccharidases, lactase deficiency)
- Nutrient-specific transport deficiencies (eg, Hartnup disease)
- Decreased availability of specific nutrients (eg, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency due to decreased intrinsic factor)
- Alterations of circulation (eg, mesenteric ischemia, heart failure, portal hypertension, lymphatic obstruction
Miscellaneous
- Amyloidosis, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), hyperthyroidism, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, atrophic gastritis, medication-induced malabsorption, neurofibromatosis

Pathophysiology

Nutrient digestion and absorption occur in 3 phases
- Luminal phase – breakdown and solubilization of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats by digestive enzymes and bile
- Mucosal phase – transport of digested nutrients into gastrointestinal epithelial cells
- Transport phase – transport of nutrients via lymphatics and portal circulation from small intestine to other parts of the body
Any process that disrupts one or more of these phases can cause malabsorption

Clinical Presentation

Prominent symptom – chronic diarrhea
Constitutional – weight loss, fatigue
Gastrointestinal – steatorrhea, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, somatostatinoma
Extraintestinal – anemia, skin rashes, stomatitis, glossitis, peripheral edema, ascites

ARUP Lab Tests

Tests generally appear in the order most useful for common clinical situations. Click on number for test-specific information in the ARUP Laboratory Test Directory.

Occult Blood, Fecal by Immunoassay 2007190
Method: Qualitative Immunoassay

Recommended Use

Assess for fecal blood

Lactoferrin, Fecal by ELISA 0061164
Method: Qualitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Recommended Use

Do not use to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); may be used for monitoring IBD activity

Calprotectin, Fecal 0092303
Method: Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Recommended Use

Aid in differentiation of IBD from IBS and other functional disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) system

Aid in monitoring of IBD and prediction of relapse

Limitations

Not specific for IBD

Not diagnostic for IBD

Does not distinguish celiac disease (CD) from ulcerative colitis

Results may fluctuate as disease activity fluctuates

False negatives are more common in children than adults

Gastrointestinal Parasite Panel by PCR 2011150
Method: Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction

Recommended Use

Aid in the diagnosis of GI infections caused by common protozoal pathogens

Do not order for patients with diarrhea developed during prolonged hospitalization

Use as a sensitive alternative to traditional, insensitive ova and parasite examinations of stool specimens for the evaluation of GI infections

Detect Cryptosporidium hominis, C. parvum, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia/intestinalis/duodenalis

Limitations

Due to periodic shedding of some parasites, a result of “not detected” cannot completely rule out infection with these parasites

If clinical signs and symptoms persist, an additional specimen for testing may be indicated

Viral and bacterial gastroenteritis are more common than parasite gastroenteritis and should be considered as alternative diagnoses

Asymptomatic infections are known to occur and, therefore, correlation of test results with clinical signs and symptoms is imperative

Panel does not detect helminths (flatworms, roundworms, and flukes), nonpathogenic protozoa, Cystoisospora, or microsporidia

Negative result does not rule out presence of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors in specimen or assay-specific nucleic acid in concentrations below the level of detection

Gastrointestinal Bacterial Panel by PCR 2012678
Method: Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction

Recommended Use

Aid in the diagnosis of GI infections caused by pathogenic bacteria

Use as a sensitive alternative to traditional stool culture to detect the most common GI bacterial pathogens, including Salmonella, Shigella/enteroinvasive E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni/coli, and Shiga-toxigenic E. coli

Can also detect Campylobacter upsaliensis, which cannot be readily cultured

Limitations

Negative result does not rule out presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen, test-specific nucleic acid in concentrations below the level of detection

Molecular assays will not detect rare or unusual enteric bacterial pathogens that are not specifically targeted by the test (eg, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, Yersinia, Vibrio, and enterotoxigenic E. coli)

A bacterial isolate is not obtained if antimicrobial susceptibility testing is indicated

Disaccharidase in Tissue 3002037
Method: Quantitative Spectrophotometry

Recommended Use

Evaluate carbohydrate malabsorption due to disaccharidase deficiency

Reducing Substances, Fecal 0020373
Method: Semi-quantitative Colorimetry

Recommended Use

Carbohydrate malabsorption assessment (indirect)

Presence of reducing substance suggests carbohydrate malabsorption

Most useful in children who are unable to undergo lactose tolerance or hydrogen breath tests

pH, Fecal 0020518
Method: Quantitative pH Indicator Strips/Quantitative pH Meter

Recommended Use

Carbohydrate malabsorption assessment (indirect)

Acidic pH (<5.5) suggests carbohydrate (lactose) malabsorption

Celiac Disease Reflexive Cascade 2008114
Method: Quantitative Nephelometry/Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay//Semi-Quantitative Indirect Fluorescent Antibody

Recommended Use

Preferred reflex screening test for CD

May aid in monitoring adherence to gluten-free diet (GFD)

Reflex pattern – test begins with immunoglobulin A; depending on findings, 1 or more of the following tests may be added for clinical interpretation

Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody, IgA
Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody, IgG
Endomysial Antibody, IgA by IFA
Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) Antibody, IgA
Deamidated Gliadin Peptide (DGP) Antibody, IgG
Celiac Disease Dual Antigen Screen

Limitations

Correlation between CD serologic tests may be variable at low antibody titers, early disease, or treatment with GFD; strong clinical correlation is recommended

At screening dilution, endomysial antibody (EMA) may show prozone phenomenon; if suspicion for disease is strong, consider testing for tissue transglutaminase (tTg) and/or deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) antibodies

Sera containing antismooth muscle antibodies (ASMA) will interfere with the detection of EMA IgG; sera should be further tested at higher dilutions

False-negative results possible in early disease, in individuals on GFD, and with use of immunosuppression

With false-positive results, consider early disease and/or specific risk for CD

Small bowel biopsy and/or HLA DQ typing may be important in establishing a diagnosis of CD based on patient’s age, clinical symptoms, and/or risk for disease

Fat, Fecal Qualitative 0020385
Method: Qualitative Microscopy/Stain

Recommended Use

Measurement of fecal fats can be useful in establishing a diagnosis of pancreatic disease

Use for random stool collection

Fat, Fecal Quantitative, Homogenized Aliquot 2002350
Method: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Recommended Use

Measurement of fecal fats can be useful in establishing a diagnosis of pancreatic disease

Testing requires submission of an aliquot from a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour stool collection

For random stool collection, refer to qualitative fecal fat test

For complete 24-hour stool collections, order 24-hour quantitative fecal fat test

For complete 48-hour stool collections, order 48-hour quantitative fecal fat test

For complete 72-hour stool collections, order 72-hour quantitative fecal fat test

Fat, Fecal Quantitative 24-Hour Collection (Includes Homogenization) 2002354
Method: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Recommended Use

Measurement of fecal fats can be useful in establishing a diagnosis of pancreatic disease

Testing requires submission of an entire 24-hour stool collection

For random stool collection, refer to qualitative fecal fat test

For testing of an aliquot from a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour stool collection, order the quantitative fecal fat test

For complete 48-hour stool collections, order 48-hour quantitative fecal fat test

For complete 72-hour stool collections, order 72-hour quantitative fecal fat test

Fat, Fecal Quantitative 48-Hour Collection (Includes Homogenization) 2002355
Method: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Recommended Use

Measurement of fecal fats can be useful in establishing a diagnosis of pancreatic disease

Testing requires submission of an entire 48-hour stool collection

For random stool collection, refer to qualitative fecal fat test

For testing of an aliquot from a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour stool collection, order the quantitative fecal fat test

For complete 24-hour stool collections, order 24-hour quantitative fecal fat test

For complete 72-hour stool collections, order 72-hour quantitative fecal fat test

Fat, Fecal Quantitative 72-Hour Collection (Includes Homogenization) 2002356
Method: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Recommended Use

Measurement of fecal fats can be useful in establishing a diagnosis of pancreatic disease

Testing requires submission of an entire 72-hour stool collection

For random stool collection, refer to qualitative fecal fat test

For testing of an aliquot from a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour stool collection, order the quantitative fecal fat test

For complete 24-hour stool collections, order 24-hour quantitative fecal fat test

For complete 48-hour stool collections, order 48-hour quantitative fecal fat test

Pancreatic Elastase, Fecal by ELISA 0080526
Method: Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Recommended Use

Screen for exocrine pancreatic function

Medical Experts

Couturier, Marc Roger, PhD, D(ABMM), Medical Director, Microbial Immunology, Parasitology and Fecal Testing, and Infectious Disease Antigen Testing at ARUP Laboratories; Associate Professor of Clinical Pathology, University of Utah

Genzen, Jonathan R., MD, PhD, Chief Operations Officer, Medical Director of Automated Core Laboratory and Farmington Health Center Clinical Laboratory, at ARUP Laboratories; Associate Professor of Clinical Pathology, University of Utah

Schlaberg, Robert, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Microbial Amplified Detection, Virology, and Fecal Chemistry; and Assistant Medical Director, Virology and Molecular Infectious Disease at ARUP Laboratories; Assistant Professor of Clinical Pathology, University of Utah

References

Guidelines

Holbrook I, British society of Gastroenterology. The British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the investigation of chronic diarrhoea, 2nd edition. Ann Clin Biochem. 2005; 42(Pt 3): 170-4. PubMed
Choosing Wisely. An initiative of the ABIM Foundation. [Accessed: Aug 2019]

General References

Abenavoli L, Proietti I, Vonghia L, Leggio L, Ferrulli A, Capizzi R, Mirijello A, Cardone S, Malandrino N, Leso V, Rotoli M, Amerio PL, Gasbarrini G, Addolorato G. Intestinal malabsorption and skin diseases. Dig Dis. 2008; 26(2): 167-74. PubMed

Ammoury RF, Croffie JM. Malabsorptive disorders of childhood. Pediatr Rev. 2010; 31(10): 407-15; quiz 415-6. PubMed

Chapman TP, Chen LY, Leaver L. Investigating young adults with chronic diarrhoea in primary care. BMJ. 2015; 350: h573. PubMed

Holt PR. Intestinal malabsorption in the elderly. Dig Dis. 2007; 25(2): 144-50. PubMed

Juckett G, Trivedi R. Evaluation of chronic diarrhea. Am Fam Physician. 2011; 84(10): 1119-26. PubMed

Montalto M, Santoro L, D'Onofrio F, Curigliano V, Visca D, Gallo A, Cammarota G, Gasbarrini A, Gasbarrini G. Classification of malabsorption syndromes. Dig Dis. 2008; 26(2): 104-11. PubMed

Schiller LR. Diarrhea and malabsorption in the elderly. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2009; 38(3): 481-502. PubMed

Schiller LR. Management of diarrhea in clinical practice: strategies for primary care physicians. Rev Gastroenterol Disord. 2007; 7 Suppl 3: S27-38. PubMed

Resources from the ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology®

Beal SG, Couturier MR, Gander RM, Doern CD. Diagnostic Algorithm for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Parasitic Gastroenteritis. J Clin Lab Anal. 2016; 30(2): 155-60. PubMed

Erickson A, Aldeen WE, Grenache DG, Ashwood ER. Evaluation of a fecal pancreatic elastase-1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: Assessment versus an established assay and implication in classifying pancreatic function. Clin Chim Acta. 2008; 397(1-2): 87-91. PubMed

Hackenmueller SA, Grenache DG. Reference Intervals for Intestinal Disaccharidase Activities Determined from a Non-Reference Population. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. [Published: Sep 2016; Accessed: Nov 2017]

Lu J, Pulsipher BS, Grenache DG. An automated method for the measurement of total protein in homogenates of intestinal mucosa. Clin Chim Acta. 2013; 421: 59. PubMed

Testing Algorithms

Anemia Testing Algorithm

Read more about Anemia Testing Algorithm

Celiac Disease Testing for Symptomatic Individuals Algorithm

Read more about Celiac Disease Testing for Symptomatic Individuals Algorithm

Immunodeficiency Evaluation for Chronic Infections in Adults and Older Children Testing Algorithm

Read more about Immunodeficiency Evaluation for Chronic Infections in Adults and Older Children Testing Algorithm

Immunodeficiency Evaluation for Chronic Infections in Infants and Children Testing Algorithm

Read more about Immunodeficiency Evaluation for Chronic Infections in Infants and Children Testing Algorithm

Content Review:

November 2017

Last Update: September 2019

Malabsorption

Key Points