Fecal pH test explained

Fecal pH test
Synonyms:faecal pH test, stool acidity test

A faecal pH test is one where a specimen of faeces is tested for acidity in order to diagnose a medical condition.

The pH of human faeces is variable but the average is pH 6.6 (acidic) for normal faeces.[1] [2] A lower faecal pH (very acidic stool) can indicate a digestive problem such poor absorption of carbohydrates or fats,[3] lactose intolerance,[4] an infection such as E. coli or rotavirus, or overgrowth of acid-producing bacteria (such as lactic acid bacteria).

Test procedure

The test is fast and can be performed in a doctor's office. A patient must not be receiving antibiotics. At least half a milliliter of feces is collected, and a strip of nitrazine paper is dipped in the sample and compared against a color scale. A pH of less than 5.5 indicates an acidic sample.[5]

Results

Unhealthy individuals with a higher or lower pH rate have been observed having a higher mortality rate. A high alkaline pH rating is associated with the body's inability to create enough acid along with undigested food.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 010991: Stool pH . 2023-07-06 . Health Matters.
  2. Procházková . Nicola . Laursen . Martin F. . La Barbera . Giorgia . Tsekitsidi . Eirini . Jørgensen . Malte S. . Rasmussen . Morten A. . Raes . Jeroen . Licht . Tine R. . Dragsted . Lars O. . Roager . Henrik M. . December 2024 . Gut physiology and environment explain variations in human gut microbiome composition and metabolism . Nature Microbiology . en . 9 . 12 . 3210–3225 . 10.1038/s41564-024-01856-x . 2058-5276. 11602727 .
  3. Web site: Ben . 2019-02-09 . What is Stool PH? High and low values Lab results explained . 2024-11-28 . en.
  4. Web site: Point-of-Care Testing, Fecal pH Measurement. 2007-02-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20070703015100/http://cpmclabinfo.cpmc.columbia.edu/chapter/mono/pc000300.htm. 2007-07-03. dead.
  5. Web site: eMedicine - Gastroenteritis, Bacterial : Article by Jennifer Lynn Bonheur, MD. 13 June 2023 .
  6. Osuka A, Shimizu K, Ogura H, Tasaki O,Hamasaki T, Asahara T, Nomoto K, Morotomi M, Kuwagata Y, Shimazu T . Prognostic impact of fecal pH in critically ill patients . Critical Care . 16 . 4 . R119 . July 2012 . 22776285 . 3580696 . 10.1186/cc11413 . free .

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