Fecal pH test

A Fecal pH test is one where a speciment of feces is tested for acidity in order to diagnose a medical condition. Human feces is normally alkaline. An acidic stool can indicate a digestive problem such as lactose intolerance or a contagion such as E coli or Rotavirus.

Test procedure
The test is quick and can be done right in a doctor's office. A patient must not be receiving antibiotics. At least half a milleter of fecal matter is collected and a strip of nitrazine paper is dipped in the sample and compared against a color scale. A pH of less than 5.5 indicates an acidic sample.