Common Causes
The fattier the food, the more likely it is to produce pale or clay-colored stool. That’s why the first time you notice pale or clay-colored, in the absence of any other symptoms, it’s usually safe to wait and see if the next one returns to normal before calling a doctor. (Don’t miss these 12 tips for choosing the best primary care physician .)
Related Conditions
Use our free symptom checker to find out what's causing your light-colored stool. Light-colored stools (grey or clay-colored) in adults can be caused by lack of bile in the digestive system. It is usually from a blockage in the bile ducts, either from a stone or a tumor. Bile helps digest fats and is responsible for the brown color of stool.
Can clay colored stool go away on its own?
- Red – Bright red or dark red in the stool can indicate bleeding somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. ...
- Black – Similar to red in the stool, a persistent black color in stool can indicate internal bleeding from esophageal varices. ...
- Grey, Pale, Yellow or Clay-Colored – The liver releases bile into the stool, giving it a normal brown color. ...
What can cause light clay colored stools?
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloody or cloudy urine
- bloody, black, or tarry stools
- body aches or pain
- burning while urinating
- chest pain
- chills
- congestion
- cough increased
What color should stool be?
What causes clay colored stool after taking azithromycin?
Is occasional pale stool normal?
Pale stools are not normal. If your stools are pale or clay-colored, you may have a problem with the drainage of your biliary system, which includes your gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color.
When should I worry about clay colored stools?
Some underlying medical problems, such as gallbladder and liver disease, can also change stool color. Pale stool, especially if it is white or clay colored, can indicate a serious health problem.
Can stress cause clay colored stool?
Anxiety does not specifically affect the color of stool, but it can affect how food moves through the digestive tract.
What should I do if I have clay colored stool?
Having a white or pale stool just once, or rarely, is not usually a concern. But when your poop color is consistently too light, it is something that you should discuss with a healthcare provider. Stools that are pale, white, or look like clay or putty may result from many things.
What color is your stool if you have liver problems?
Considerations. The liver releases bile salts into the stool, giving it a normal brown color. You may have clay-colored stools if you have a liver infection that reduces bile production, or if the flow of bile out of the liver is blocked. Yellow skin (jaundice) often occurs with clay-colored stools.
Is peanut butter colored poop normal?
Lifestyle changes to improve stools include eating fiber, drinking water, or exercising. Stools should be brown, have a peanut-butter texture, and look like a sausage.
Can fatty liver cause pale stools?
If your liver doesn't make bile normally or if the flow from the liver is blocked, your poop will look pale like the color of clay. Pale poop often happens along with yellow skin (jaundice). The extra bilirubin that makes your skin look yellow also can make your pee unusually dark.
What does your poop look like with IBS?
Blood in stool may appear red but often appears very dark or black with a tarry consistency ( 12 ). SUMMARY: IBS changes the time stool remains in your intestines. This changes the amount of water in stool, giving it a range from loose and watery to hard and dry.
What is anxiety poop?
Anxiety poop affects more of us than you might think. Anxiety-producing events can trigger digestive issues, including diarrhea, constipation and nausea. This is because your gut and your brain are linked. Anxiety poop is your body's reaction to extreme stress.
What causes a lack of bile?
Bile salts are stored in your gallbladder when they're not being used. If your gallbladder is removed, it can lead to a bile salt deficiency. This condition can also be caused by other diseases of the bowel. If you experience any of the symptoms of a bile salt deficiency, it's important that you see your doctor.
Why is my poop like clay texture?
If you have a white or clay coloured poop, go to a doctor immediately! This is not a normal or healthy colour for poops. This colour is caused by a lack of bile excreted by the liver and is usually an indication of a more serious underlying issue. This could mean anything from a blocked bile duct to liver disease.
What does a clay poop look like?
Gray or Clay-Colored Stool The stool can be gray or clay-colored if it contains little or no bile. The pale color may signify a condition (biliary obstruction) where the flow of bile to the intestine is obstructed, such as obstruction of the bile duct from a tumor or gallstone in the duct or nearby pancreas.
Why does my stool look clay?
You take calcium supplements or calcium-supplemented antacids. As noted by Dr. O’Connor, certain drugs and supplements can cause the stool to appear pale or clay-like. Family care physician, Susan Besser, MD, has seen pale or clay-colored stools in people who habitually take calcium supplements and calcium-supplemented antacids.
Why is my stool pale?
It could be bile-related. When your stool is pale, and it’s not because of something you ingested, it can mean that your body is not producing enough bile, or that the bile is , for some reason, not reaching your stool .
Why does my stool float in the toilet?
The result is called steatorrhea, which is bulky, smelly, and pale-colored stool that often floats in the toilet instead of sinking to the bottom due to its fatty or oily content . If steatorrhea is a one-time thing after a particularly fatty meal, it’s not usually a cause for concern.
What are the symptoms of giardia?
Symptoms of Giardia can include stomach pain, vomiting, and fever, so if you’re experiencing these symptoms along with pale stool that is yellow-tinged, it would be a good idea to check in with your doctor. Giardia is easily tested for and easily treated.
Why is my stool light colored?
If your skin is looking a bit pale (which can occur in people of any skin tone), there’s usually a reason. It could be anything from a vitamin B12 deficiency to a symptom of anemia.
Is pale stool normal?
Although pale stool is not normal, there are a number of reasons why this happens, says family practitioner Kavita Shanker-Patel, MD, practicing family medicine at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, Illinois. While some are serious, others are quite benign. In fact, pale-colored stool can be the result ...
Can celiac disease cause a foul smelling stool?
You could have celiac disease. One of the less-known symptoms of celiac disease (an autoimmune condition in which the gluten proteins in wheat and other grains trigger an intestine-damaging immune response), is pale stool, particularly if it’s foul-smelling.
What is the treatment for clay colored stool?
If it is caused by use of certain medication, the agent will most likely be changed. Medication treatment is mainly used for treating hepatitis, as well as therapy for some types of cancer.
Why is my stool dark brown?
Causes. Liver disease. Bile duct obstruction. Cancer. Medications. Diagnosis. Treatment. Normally, stool is colored in light to dark brown color. The normal color of the stool comes from chemical substance-bilirubin, which is produced by liver from hemoglobin, after red blood cells have finished their life cycle and die.
What causes bile to not reach the intestines?
Bile duct obstruction. After bile is produced, it goes through a system of bile ducts and is stored in the gallbladder. In case a part of this system is obstructed, the bile does not reach intestines and stool can appear clay colored. There are several causes for bile duct obstruction: Trauma.
Why does bilirubin cause a loss of color in stool?
Liver disease. Since bilirubin is produced in the liver, lack of it can cause loss of color in stool. There are various disorders that can cause disruption of normal physiological processes in the liver. In this case, there will also be increased levels of bilirubin in the blood circulation which may cause fatigue, ...
Why does my liver turn yellow?
In this case, there will also be increased levels of bilirubin in the blood circulation which may cause fatigue, jaundice- yellowish color of skin and the whites of the eyes. One of the most common causes for liver disease is hepatitis.
What is the best medicine for diarrhea?
It limits the secretions in the digestive tract and inhibits growth of certain bacteria. Kaolin- natural clay used for treating diarrhea.
Can liver cancer cause clay stools?
Bile duct obstruction can also be caused by secondary liver cancer- metastases in liver from a different cancer. A very rare entity that can cause clay colored stool is bile duct cancer.
Why do my bowels look like clay?
Stools that are pale, white, or look like clay or putty may be the result of a lack of bile or caused by a blockage in the bile ducts. Stools that are light in color or look like clay can also occur after a test in the colon that uses barium (such as a barium enema ), because the barium may be passed in the stool.
What causes a pale stool?
Medical causes of stool that is pale or clay-colored are usually liver and biliary issues such as: 1 Alcoholic hepatitis: This disease of the liver occurs after overexposure to alcohol. 2 Biliary cirrhosis: This is a type of liver disease where the bile ducts are damaged. 3 Birth defect: Some people are born with a problem in the biliary system. 4 Cysts: A cyst may block a bile duct. 5 Gallstones: These calcium deposits in the gallbladder could block bile ducts. 6 Hepatitis A, B, or C: Infectious liver diseases that may cause a lack of bile. 7 Infection: Certain types of infections could affect the biliary system. 8 Sclerosing cholangitis: This is a disease that can cause a lack of bile production or a blockage in the bile ducts. 9 Side effects of medication: Overuse of certain medications could cause drug-induced hepatitis. These drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, hormonal birth control, and certain antibiotics. 10 Strictures: A narrowing of the intestine could block the flow of bile. 11 Tumor: A tumor could block the flow of bile.
Why is my stool brown?
Bile is what gives stool its brown color, so if bile is not being produced or if the bile ducts are blocked, and bile isn't entering the small intestine, the result could be stool that is light. Medical causes of stool that is pale or clay-colored are usually liver and biliary issues such as: Alcoholic hepatitis: This disease ...
What is the biliary system?
The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. 1 Bile is created in the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and is released into the first section of the small intestine (the duodenum) while food is passing through. Ellen Lindner / Verywell.
What causes a lack of bile?
Hepatitis A, B, or C: Infectious liver diseases that may cause a lack of bile. Infection: Certain types of infections could affect the biliary system. Sclerosing cholangitis: This is a disease that can cause a lack of bile production or a blockage in the bile ducts. Side effects of medication: Overuse of certain medications could cause drug-induced ...
What does it mean when your urine is clay?
Concerning Symptoms. Clay-colored stool that is caused by certain medical conditions may be accompanied by a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes ( jaundice) or darkened urine. If signs of jaundice occur, a physician should be consulted immediately.
What tests are used to determine if a person has pale stools?
In addition to a complete medical history, some of the tests that might be used to make a diagnosis are: Liver function tests: Liver function tests can help determine if there is a condition that involves the liver that's causing the pale stools. 2 .
Why is my stool clay colored?
What Causes Clay-Colored Stool? Clay stool is not normal and could be a symptom of a serious medical condition. There are several diseases affecting the biliary system that can cause clay colored stool. Healthy stool can come in several different shades of brown, which is greatly affected by diet. Stool that resembles clay or pale in color, may ...
What causes clay in stool?
What Causes Clay-Colored Stool? The biliary system in the body is responsible for drainage of the pancreas, gallbladder and liver. The liver creates bile, which is stored in the gall bladder. Then the bile is secreted into the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine, as food passes through.
What are the symptoms of bile duct tumor?
Symptoms: The most common symptom of bile duct tumor is jaundice as a result of bile obstruction. Other symptoms that may be present include weight loss and loss of appetite, itching, pain on the right side, fever, clay-colored stool and difficultly in stopping blood loss when there are breaks in the skin. 6. Biliary Stricture.
Why is my stool brown?
Healthy stool can come in several different shades of brown, which is greatly affected by diet. Stool that resembles clay or pale in color, may indicate a health issue affecting the biliary system in the body, such as a blockage of the bile ducts or another problem resulting in a lack of bile. When the digestive system is unable to properly absorb ...
What causes bile to be reduced?
Common causes of the reduction of bile production or blockage are listed below: 1. Alcoholic Hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis occurs when the liver becomes inflamed as a result of drinking alcohol. It usually occurs in people who have consumed alcohol heavily over a number of years, but can also affect moderate drinkers.
What are the symptoms of biliary stricture?
Symptoms: Symptoms of biliary stricture may include fever, chills, itching, jaundice, nausea and vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and light or clay stool. 7. Side Effects from Medication. Drug-induced hepatitis refers to liver inflammation and swelling caused by medication.
What causes dark urine and bile ducts?
9. Other Causes. Other causes include: Sclerosing cholangitis ---the scarring or inflammation of the bile ducts.
Why does stool color change?
Only rarely does stool color indicate a potentially serious intestinal condition. Stool color is generally influenced by what you eat as well as by the amount of bile — a yellow-green fluid that digests fats — in your stool. As bile pigments travel through your gastrointestinal tract, they are chemically altered by enzymes, ...
Why is my stool red?
If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek prompt medical attention. Food may be moving through the large intestine too quickly, such as due to diarrhea. As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely.
What does it mean when you have no bile in your stool?
A lack of bile in stool. This may indicate a bile duct obstruction. Certain medications, such as large doses of bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) and other anti-diarrheal drugs. Excess fat in the stool, such as due to a malabsorption disorder, for example, celiac disease.
Does bile break down?
As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely. Green leafy vegetables, green food coloring, such as in flavored drink mixes or ice pops, iron supplements. A lack of bile in stool. This may indicate a bile duct obstruction.
Why is my stool grey?
Maybe - see your doc: When stool gets light, ei: grey, white or clay colored, it can be due to an underlying gallbladder/liver issue. Bile is what gives stool its color so ... Read More
Do you worry about changing your stool color?
No pain, no worry: Typically, you should not worry about the change of stool colors unless red/blood or tarry black and/or abdominal pain/fever etc...Having some color c ... Read More
What to do if you have clay colored stool?
Surgery: If your clay-colored stools are caused by obstructing gallstones, after an ERCP, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove the gallbladder entirely (cholecystectomy) to help prevent recurrences.
What does it mean when your stools are pale?
The pale/grey stools or progressively worsening jaundice may be the first sign that something is wrong. You may also get an infection in the blocked bile, called cholangitis. That can cause fever and abdominal pain, and in severe cases, confusion and low blood pressure.
Why does stool look silver?
There are a few recorded cases of people having silver-appearing stool—these people all had tumors blocking the bile duct that also bled into the intestine. The combination of digested blood (black tar color) and lack of bile (pale grey color) gives a distinct silver color to the stool. —Dr. Adam Pont.
What is the procedure to see the inside of the intestines called?
The specialist will order an imaging test (ultrasound, CT, or MRI) and perform a procedure to view the inside of your intestines and bile ducts, called ERCP , which is done under sedation. Treatment depends on what is found in the tests. 2. Obstructed bile duct from gallstones.
What does it mean when you have a yellowish rash?
Painless jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of eyes) Pale or clay/grey colored stools. Sudden fever and abdominal pain (from infection of the obstructed bile) Once bile is produced in the liver, it travels by a tube (duct) to your gallbladder, where it is stored until ready to be released into your intestines.
Why is my stool brown?
It is usually from a blockage in the bile ducts, either from a stone or a tumor. Bile helps digest fats and is responsible for the brown color of stool. It is produced in your liver, stored in your gallbladder, and released into your intestines. If bile is prevented from getting into your intestines, this can cause persistent pale ...
What causes a stone to be stuck in the lower part of the bile duct?
If the stone is stuck in the lower part of the bile duct, it may block digestive fluid from exiting the pancreas, which can cause pancreatitis. If you notice pale/grey colored stools along with abdominal pain or jaundice, you should go to the ER.
Why does my stool look pale?
Diseases of the pancreas can make it hard for this organ to secrete pancreatic juices into the digestive system. This can lead to the food moving too quickly through the gut, causing a pale and fatty-looking stool.
Why does stool change color?
Causes. In children. During pregnancy. When to see a doctor. Summary. Many things can change the color of stool, including vitamins, infections, and certain foods. Some underlying medical problems, such as gallbladder and liver disease, can also change stool color.
Why is my stool white?
When the stool is white or very light brown, this can signal a more serious problem, such as cholestasis, a type of liver disease. In newborns, cholestasis or any other problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas may be a medical emergency, so a caregiver should call their pediatrician right away.
Why is my stool pale after taking pain pills?
A person who notices a pale stool after taking a new medication or after taking OTC pain relievers for a long time or in excess of the correct dose may have medication-related liver damage. It is best to stop taking the drug, if it is not a prescription medication, and see a doctor as soon as possible. 4.
What does it mean when your poop is white?
Pale stool, especially if it is white or clay colored, can indicate a serious health problem. When adults have a pale stool with no other symptoms, it is usually safe to wait and see if the stool returns to normal. When children and babies have very pale or white poop, a doctor should see them as soon as possible.
How do you know if you have giardiasis?
A person can contract this parasite by drinking contaminated water or being in close contact with someone who has the infection. Giardiasis is more common in regions with inconsistent access to clean water. The most common symptoms of giardiasis include stomach pain, headache, swollen stomach, vomiting, and fever.
Can iron make your stool dark brown?
Some foods may lighten the color of stool, especially fatty foods, or those containing food coloring. Vitamins that include iron can turn the color of stool dark brown. It is fine for bowel movements to be lighter than usual occasionally.
What are the dangers of a dairy only diet in a child?
My little sister, 11, has been on a dairy only diet of strawberry Yoplait yogurt, Kraft cheese slices, and vanilla ice cream for at least 6, maybe 7 years. That's not what she primarily eats, that's ALL she eats. I don't know exactly how long, but my older siblings and I originally approached our parents about our concerns in 2015.
is 27 too young to have dementia?
I am male. I have Ehlers Danlos and a CSF leak which has lasted for ten years (I'm awaiting a blood patch right now) and I'm having the most embarrassing problems in recent years. It's taking 100% of my brain power to make a cup of tea, sometimes I forget how to make a cup of tea.
How can I get "history of suicide attempt" to stop printing on my after visit summaries? It is listed under health conditions
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His entire body has been itching severely for last few weeks because of liver and kidney disease. NO SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS from last 16 years. Now treating as autoimmune disease. Age 43, Male Location: India Weight: Currently 60 kg (but has kept fluctuating +- 10-20 kg over the last 10 years) Height: 6 Feet
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Our son was born 3.5 years ago and he was around the 75th percentile for weight. Every subsequent doctor's appointment he would drop down - 50th, 30th, 20th, 10th etc.
What can be done about my childhood lead exposure?
As a child I was exposed to lead over a period spanning many years, at least ages 4 through 12.
What Is Clay Colored stool?
Stools that are lightly colored or pale.
Bilirubin Metabolism
Causes
Diagnosis
- Normally, stool is colored in light to dark brown color. The normal color of the stool comes from chemical substance-bilirubin, which is produced by liver from hemoglobin, after red blood cells have finished their life cycle and die. In case of different pathologies and physiological changes, stool can change its color. This might be a sign of some...
Treatment
- Bilirubin is the breakdown product of heme compounds. 80% of these heme compound come from breakdown of red blood cells, but the other 20% are from different sources, containing heme. In liver and spleen cells, biliverdin is produced from heme, and then it is converted to bilirubin. Bilirubin is hydrophobic, thus insoluble in blood. Bilirubin is transported by Albumin-major plasm…
Normal vs. Abnormal Stools
- Liver disease
Since bilirubin is produced in the liver, lack of it can cause loss of color in stool. There are various disorders that can cause disruption of normal physiological processes in the liver. In this case, there will also be increased levels of bilirubin in the blood circulation which may cause fatigue, ja… - Bile duct obstruction
After bile is produced, it goes through a system of bile ducts and is stored in the gallbladder. In case a part of this system is obstructed, the bile does not reach intestines and stool can appear clay colored. There are several causes for bile duct obstruction: 1. Trauma 2. Cyst 3. Inflammati…
Causes
- In case of clay colored stool, medical attention should be sought. Diagnosing the cause of clay colored stool might include: 1. Physical examination and taking patient history 2. Blood analysis: complete blood count, liver enzymes, bilirubin levels 3. Imaging studies: X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound imaging 4. Urinalysis 5. Specific tests, for example to detect hepatitis virus A, B or C …
Concerning Symptoms
- The treatment of clay colored stool depends on the underlying cause. If it is caused by use of certain medication, the agent will most likely be changed. Medication treatment is mainly used for treating hepatitis, as well as therapy for some types of cancer. If the bile ducts are obstructed, surgery might be necessary to treat the cause . For your personal experience, use the comment…
Diagnosing The Underlying Condition
Treatment
- The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.1 Bile, a digestive fluid, is created in the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and finally released into the first section of the small intestine (the duodenum) while food passes. Some medical issues can affect the liver or biliary system and cause pale stools. These include: 1. Alcoholic hepatitis, a disease from alcoh…
Summary
- Clay-colored stool caused by a medical condition might also be accompanied by a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice) or darkened urine. The presence of jaundice and pale stools could indicate a buildup of chemicals in your body.2Therefore, jaundice is a serious condition you should discuss with a healthcare provider.
A Word from Verywell
- A healthcare provider must first identify the underlying cause to treat pale stools. In addition to a complete medical history, they may order some of the following tests: 1. Liver function tests, blood tests to help determine if a condition involves the liver2 2. Abdominal ultrasound, look at things like the gallbladder 3. Blood work to test for infection 4. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio…