Understanding Your Laboratory Test: Purpose, Sample Collection, and How to Interpret the Results
A stool test that measures the amount of calcium in your feces to evaluate how well your body absorbs nutrients.
{"Measures calcium levels in stool sample","Helps diagnose digestive and absorption problems","Collected at home using a special kit","Results show if too much calcium is being lost through intestines"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 108668-5
- Short code
- Ca Stool
- Synonyms
- Calcium Msmt Stl
- Category
- electrolyte
- Sample
- stool
- Container
- Clean dry stool container or stool collection kit with preservative if required
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 300
- Critical range
- 6 not specified – 14 not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) or Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
- CPT
- 82340
- SNOMED
- 271434006
- Specimen volume
- 5-10 grams of stool or entire 24-hour collection
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 72 hours; Frozen (-20°C): 30 days
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test? This test analyzes a patient sample to look for specific substances, cells, organisms, or other findings that may help assess health or guide medical care.
The stool calcium test measures the amount of calcium present in your bowel movements. Calcium is an important mineral your body needs for strong bones, muscle function, and nerve signaling. Normally, your intestines absorb calcium from food, and a small amount passes out in stool. This test helps doctors understand if your digestive system is absorbing calcium properly or if too much is being lost.
How is the sample collected? Depending on the test, a trained healthcare professional may collect blood, urine, saliva, a swab, or another specimen using standard procedures designed to protect your comfort and safety.
You will receive a special collection kit from your healthcare provider. The sample is collected at home by placing a small amount of stool into a clean container provided in the kit. It's important to follow the instructions carefully to avoid contamination with urine or toilet water. Your doctor will tell you if you need to collect multiple samples over several days. Once collected, deliver the sample to the laboratory as instructed.
Why might I need this test? Your healthcare professional may recommend it to investigate symptoms, screen for a condition, monitor an existing illness, check treatment response, or support decisions about your care.
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of poor nutrient absorption, such as chronic diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, or fatigue. It is also used to monitor conditions that affect calcium absorption, including celiac disease, Crohn's disease, pancreatitis, and after gastric surgery. Additionally, this test can help explain abnormal blood calcium levels.
What do the results mean? Results must be interpreted with your symptoms, medical history, examination, and the laboratory’s reference ranges; your healthcare professional can explain what the findings mean for you.
High levels of calcium in stool may indicate that your intestines are not absorbing calcium properly, a condition called malabsorption. This can be caused by celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic insufficiency, or certain surgeries. Low levels are less common but may relate to your diet or specific medications. Your doctor will interpret your results along with other tests to determine the cause.
Reference range
Not established (highly variable with dietary intake; research averages ~100-800 mg/day for 24h stool)not specified
Timed complete stool collection (e.g. 24-72 h) usually required; follow lab instructions regarding diet/supplements
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
The stool calcium test is clinically significant for diagnosing and monitoring malabsorption disorders. Elevated stool calcium may suggest conditions such as celiac disease, tropical sprue, Whipple's disease, or pancreatic insufficiency where fat and fat-soluble vitamins (including calcium) are not properly absorbed. This test is particularly valuable when combined with other stool tests like fecal fat, elastase, and occult blood to get a complete picture of digestive health.
In patients who have undergone bariatric surgery or have chronic pancreatitis, monitoring stool calcium helps assess the effectiveness of treatment and nutritional supplementation. Abnormal results may lead to further testing including blood tests for vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and bone density scans to evaluate the full impact on bone health.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
Are there any medications that affect the results?
How long does it take to get results?
Is this test painful or dangerous?
What happens if my results are abnormal?
Sources
- 1
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy