Relation between cholic acid synthesis rate and faecal radioisotope excretion following oral administration of 14C-cholic acid.

Bile acid kinetics were evaluated after oral administration of 14C-labelled cholic acid in ten normal subjects and two patients with severe bile acid malabsorption. The faecal 14C excretion was measured during the turnover study. Cholic acid synthesis rate was significantly correlated to 14C output in stools. The faecal radioisotope excretion is recommended for detection and semi-quantitation of bile acid malabsorption.