What does a fecal fat measurement of 12 grams indicate?

A fecal fat measurement of 12 grams is indicative of mild fat malabsorption. In a healthy individual, the typical fecal fat excretion is less than 7 grams per day. Therefore, a figure above this threshold suggests that the body is not effectively absorbing dietary fat.

When fecal fat levels are elevated, it reflects that fats consumed in the diet are being excreted rather than absorbed into the body. Mild fat malabsorption occurs when fecal fat excretion is raised but does not reach levels that would be classified as severe malabsorption, which typically would involve fecal fat levels significantly higher than 12 grams.

Patients with severe fat malabsorption might show fecal fat excretion levels exceeding 30 grams per day. Consequently, while the measurement of 12 grams does indicate malabsorption, it leans more toward the mild end of the spectrum.

Excessive fat intake could also result in increased fecal fat, but it would not explain the underlying issue of absorption. Thus, the fecal fat measurement of 12 grams aligns specifically with mild fat malabsorption due to absorption issues rather than diet alone.