The diagnosis of bile acid malabsorption (BAM) is supported by a failure to resorb intestinal 75-selenium homocholic acid taurine (Se HCAT). Unfortunately the test may not be readily available.
Synonym: selenium homocholytaurine
Dose: 1 capsule with 1 microCurie (40 kBq) of 75-Se HCAT
Procedure:
(1) The patient takes the oral dose after an overnight fast.
(2) 30 minutes later a whole body scan is performed to determine baseline.
(3) One week later the patient is rescanned to determine how much as been resorbed.
percent retention =
= (scan at 1 week) / (scan at baseline) * 100%
Interpretation:
• A patient with BAM will show < 15% retention (some use < 10%)..
• A patient with a retention < 5% tended to show classic symptoms.
The test may be interfered with in patients with:
(1) liver disease
(2) bacterial overgrowth of the small bowel
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