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Fat malabsorption...

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/26/2016 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
So I've noticed that during this current flare ( and even before in remission right before this flare started ) a very thin layer of lipids left on top of the water after a BM. My understanding is that lipids are digested and absorbed in the small intestine when coming into contact with bile salts...... So I guess my question is if all of this is supposed to be happening in the small intestine ( prior to reaching the colon ) why might I be seeing this film of lipids in the water? Is the inflammation in the colon preventing some sort of re-absorption that normally happens in a healthy colon? Any other UC'ers out there experience this during flares / remission? Thanks in advance,

T_Ho
Posted 4/26/2016 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
Are you sure it's not mucous? Fatty stool is common both in IBS and IBD, and usually very smelly, it can form frothy stool that floats. In fact true steatorrhea forms light stools that float even if you flush. It takes multiple flushes.

If it continues I would ask my M.D., but it's definitely not uncommon. You might want to avoid fatty food. Please edit your signature in your profile with your diagnosis, meds and symptoms so we can be of more help :)
Posted 4/26/2016 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Zengrrl.... Edited profile to include a sig going fwd.... There has been a lot of mucus lately. I wonder if the lipids are part of the mucus? There's a disconnect for me when I think of all lipid digestion / absorption happening in the small intestine ( where I dont have any problems that I'm aware of ) and it showing up in my BM's. It's not a lot but it's definitely there, and it is not something I ever see while in remission ( and I check every BM closely like a detective lol - I'm actually surprised I haven't dropped my phone aka flashlight in a toilet yet ).

I've googled steatorrhea and it doesn't look anything like, what I assume, are severe cases. Just a thin film of oil riding on top of the water. Unfortunately with me trying to consume as many calories as possible right now the dietary fats are pretty high in the macro equation.
Posted 4/26/2016 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for putting in your facts. I notice you take digestive enzymes--which ones?

I understand the need for dietary fats and have struggled to keep weight on myself but we can overdo it to the point our bodies just need to adjust. What kind of fats are you eating and is your cholesterol ok?

My guess is it is probably mucous, maybe with a little undigested fat if your cholesterol is okay. I pass fat regularly but I have very high triglycerides and maybe a problem with my liver or bile ducts. Good luck :)
Posted 4/26/2016 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
It seems you're assuming what you're seeing is fats, it might not be. Self-diagnosis is often wrong. Dr Google isn't accurate.
Posted 4/26/2016 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
@zengrrl I'm currently taking interfase plus from klaire and digest gold from enzymedica. They've seemed to help with carbohydrate digestion and gas / bloat. My blood lipid profile was "beautiful" according to my primary with total = 143mg/dl, triglycerides = 57, HDL = 50, LDL = 82, and VLDL = 11.

@ John.... Yes I'm assuming it's undigested dietary fat as it is identical to what you'd see if you were to pour a small amount of oil into a bowl of water. If it's not undigested dietary fat then I have no idea what else it could possibly be.
Posted 4/27/2016 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Need to check out sources of parasites that can make stools look funny.
Also, look into malabsorption
Have you been tested for celiac?
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