: 24-Hour Medium-Chain Triglyceride Intake Test
: This test estimates the amount of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) a person consumes or absorbs over a 24-hour period, typically using a timed collection or dietary assessment combined with laboratory measurement.
[": The test helps evaluate how much medium-chain fat is taken in or handled over a full day."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 81902-9
- Short code
- MCT intake 24h Est
- Synonyms
- MCT intake 24h Est
- Category
- glucose
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 20
- Ref high
- 400
- Fasting
- true
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- estimated
- CPT
- 82670
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What This Test Measures
: Medium-chain triglycerides are a type of dietary fat made of shorter fatty acid chains that the body absorbs and uses differently from long-chain fats. This test assesses 24-hour intake or handling of MCTs, which may be relevant in digestive, nutritional, or metabolic evaluation.
: How the Test Is Done
: Depending on the laboratory's protocol, the test may involve a 24-hour collection of a body fluid or a structured 24-hour dietary record paired with a laboratory measurement. Your care team will give you specific instructions on timing, diet, and sample handling.
: Preparing for the Test
: Follow your provider's directions carefully. You may be asked to record everything you eat and drink during the 24-hour period, or to collect samples over a full day. Avoid changing your usual diet unless instructed, since the goal is to capture your typical intake.
: What the Results Mean
: Results are interpreted alongside your diet history, symptoms, and other tests. A value outside the expected range may reflect differences in dietary intake or in how your body absorbs or processes medium-chain fats. Your provider will explain what your result means for you.
Reference range
Premenopausal: 20-400 pg/mL; Postmenopausal: <30 pg/mLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Medium-chain triglyceride intake and handling can be clinically relevant in conditions affecting fat digestion and absorption, such as certain gastrointestinal or pancreatic disorders, and in nutritional monitoring. Because reference values and collection methods vary by laboratory, results should always be interpreted by a qualified clinician in the context of your overall health.
Short name
: MCT Intake, 24h
Frequently asked questions
: Do I need to fast for this test?
: Can I eat my normal diet during the 24-hour period?
: Is this a common routine test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
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