fecal pH test
{{Contradicts others|Human feces|discuss=Talk:Human feces#Contradiction|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox diagnostic
| name = Fecal pH test
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| synonyms = faecal pH test, stool acidity test
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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.{{Cite web |title=010991: Stool pH |url=https://healthmatters.io/understand-blood-test-results/stool-ph |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Health Matters}}{{Cite journal |last1=Procházková |first1=Nicola |last2=Laursen |first2=Martin F. |last3=La Barbera |first3=Giorgia |last4=Tsekitsidi |first4=Eirini |last5=Jørgensen |first5=Malte S. |last6=Rasmussen |first6=Morten A. |last7=Raes |first7=Jeroen |last8=Licht |first8=Tine R. |last9=Dragsted |first9=Lars O. |last10=Roager |first10=Henrik M. |date=December 2024 |title=Gut physiology and environment explain variations in human gut microbiome composition and metabolism |journal=Nature Microbiology |language=en |volume=9 |issue=12 |pages=3210–3225 |doi=10.1038/s41564-024-01856-x |pmid=39604623 |issn=2058-5276|pmc=11602727 }} A lower faecal pH (very acidic stool) can indicate a digestive problem such poor absorption of carbohydrates or fats,{{Cite web |last=Ben |date=2019-02-09 |title=What is Stool PH? High and low values {{!}} Lab results explained |url=https://blog.healthmatters.io/2019/02/09/what-is-stool-ph-high-and-low-values-lab-results-explained/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |language=en}} lactose intolerance,{{cite web|url=http://cpmclabinfo.cpmc.columbia.edu/chapter/mono/pc000300.htm|title=Point-of-Care Testing, Fecal pH Measurement|access-date=2007-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703015100/http://cpmclabinfo.cpmc.columbia.edu/chapter/mono/pc000300.htm|archive-date=2007-07-03|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|title=eMedicine - Gastroenteritis, Bacterial : Article by Jennifer Lynn Bonheur, MD|date=13 June 2023 |url=http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic855.htm}}
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.{{cite journal | vauthors = Osuka A, Shimizu K, Ogura H, Tasaki O,Hamasaki T, Asahara T, Nomoto K, Morotomi M, Kuwagata Y, Shimazu T | title = Prognostic impact of fecal pH in critically ill patients | journal = Critical Care | volume = 16 | issue = 4 | pages = R119 | date = July 2012 | pmid = 22776285 | pmc = 3580696 | doi = 10.1186/cc11413 | doi-access = free }}
References
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