What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing ongoing watery diarrhea that hasn't been explained by diet or infection. It measures chloride levels in your stool to help figure out whether your diarrhea is caused by a fluid-absorption problem in the gut or by something drawing extra water into the intestines. It's also useful if you or a family member has a history of unexplained chronic diarrhea that started in infancy, which can point to a rare inherited condition.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with the chloride value and an explanation of what the normal range means. Depending on where your number falls, next steps might include tracking your diarrhea symptoms and hydration, adjusting your diet, or repeating the test if levels are borderline. If your result is very high and comes with severe symptoms like dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, seek medical care right away. You can download the full lab report anytime and use the trends feature to watch how your levels change if you retest in the future.

Who should consider this test?

People with chronic, unexplained watery diarrhea that hasn't improved with typical dietary changes are good candidates for this test. It's also worth considering if you have a family history of a rare condition called congenital chloridorrhea, especially if symptoms started at birth or in early infancy. Anyone whose doctor has ruled out common infections but still needs answers about the type of diarrhea they're having may benefit from this test.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Watery, high-volume diarrhea that doesn't respond to usual remedies is the main symptom to watch for. Other signs include dehydration, low energy, muscle cramps, or signs of an electrolyte imbalance like weakness or irregular heartbeat. In infants, unusually frequent watery stools starting shortly after birth can also be a red flag worth investigating.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your sample being received at the lab. You'll get a notification once they're posted to your account, where you can view the full breakdown and download your report. If you need results sooner for an urgent medical situation, seek immediate medical care instead of waiting for standard lab turnaround.

What is chloride and why does it matter in stool testing?

Chloride is an electrolyte your body normally absorbs back into the bloodstream as food moves through your intestines. When something disrupts this absorption process, chloride and water can end up staying in the stool instead, leading to diarrhea. Measuring how much chloride is in your stool helps identify whether the diarrhea is due to a fluid-secretion problem in the gut lining or another cause, like a change in what's being drawn into the intestines osmotically.

What does high stool chloride mean?

A high chloride level in stool, especially above about 120 mmol/L, can suggest a condition called chloridorrhea, where the gut isn't properly reabsorbing chloride. This can be present from birth as a rare inherited disorder or develop later due to other digestive issues. If your levels are high along with ongoing diarrhea, staying well-hydrated with electrolyte fluids and tracking symptoms is a good first step while you consider retesting or further evaluation.

What does low stool chloride mean?

Lower-than-expected chloride in the stool can be seen in certain types of diarrhea caused by substances like sodium sulfate rather than a chloride-absorption problem. This pattern helps rule out chloridorrhea and points toward an osmotic cause of diarrhea instead. Reviewing recent medications, supplements, or dietary changes that could be pulling extra water into the gut is a practical next step.

What causes abnormal stool chloride levels?

Causes of high stool chloride include congenital chloridorrhea, certain infections, neuroendocrine tumors, intestinal surgery, or diffuse conditions affecting the gut lining. Low stool chloride is more often linked to osmotic diarrhea triggers, such as certain sugars or salts like sodium sulfate that pull water into the intestines without much chloride loss. Because many different conditions can affect this result, it's most useful when looked at alongside your symptoms and other electrolyte tests.

How often should I retest?

If your first result is borderline or your symptoms are ongoing, retesting after a few weeks can help confirm a pattern rather than a one-time fluctuation. If diarrhea resolves after a diet or lifestyle change, you generally don't need to retest unless symptoms return. For chronic or family-linked cases, periodic retesting can help track how levels change over time using the trends feature in your account.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Fecal Chloride Test - Chronic Diarrhea Evaluation

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

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