I131-Labeled Fat in the Study of Intestinal Absorption

Abstract

The use of a test meal with I131 -labeled fat offers a simple, accurate and reliable method of determining fat absorption. Patients with small-bowel disease invariably had marked impairment of fat absorption. Of the patients 53% had significant impairment of fat absorption after gastric surgery. An abnormal test is strongly suggestive of pancreatic disease, in the absence of previous gastric surgery, small-bowel disease or pyloric obstruction.