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 | This article appears to contradict the article Human feces. (February 2024) |
| Fecal pH test | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | faecal pH test, stool acidity test |
| LOINC | 2755-7 |
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).
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]
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]
