Bile acids in the stool

In case of suspicion of poor digestion or overproduction of bile salts.

Bile salts are produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. After consuming a meal, they are released into the small intestine where they are important for, among other things, breaking down fats. Under normal circumstances, more than 95 percent of the bile salts are reabsorbed in the last part of the small intestine to return to the liver. An excess of bile salts in the intestine stimulates water secretion, which causes diarrhea.

Reference range 200-900 mol/100g

Assessment should be based on multiple determinations when there is an increased excretion of bile acids in the stool.