what causes clay colored stool

Common Causes

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.

Related Conditions

Some people who experience pale stool ignore it, thinking there is nothing they can do about it. Normal looking stools are various shades of brown, and this is normally a result of a healthy diet. Clay-colored stools are pale, white, or look like clay or putty. This type of stool in adults can be the result of medical testing.

What does it mean when your stool is clay colored?

What causes yellow stool?

• Bile salt-related causes of yellow stool
• Pancreatic causes of yellow stool
• Intestinal causes of yellow stool
• Serious or life-threatening causes of yellow stool. ...
• Questions for diagnosing the cause of yellow stool

What does clay colored stool look like?

What Causes Red or Maroon Stools?

• Red Stool From Food. Several different types of food with natural or artificial coloring may cause the stool to be red. ...
• Hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are a common cause of bright red blood in the stool or on the toilet paper. ...
• Anal Fissures. ...
• Diverticular Bleeding. ...
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease. ...
• Colon Polyps. ...
• Diagnosis. ...
• Summary. ...
• A Word From Verywell. ...

What causes light yellow colored stool?

Why your Poop may be red or maroon?

See more

Is clay-colored stool serious?

Having pale stools once in a while may not be a cause for concern. If it occurs frequently, you may have a serious illness. You should see your doctor whenever you have pale or clay-colored stools in order to rule out illness and disease.

Why is my poop so light tan?

An occasional clay-colored stool isn't usually a concern. However, if pale stools stick around, it can point to a problem with bile ducts or another underlying medical condition. It's essential to see a healthcare provider, especially if you have any other concerning symptoms, like jaundice or pain.

How do you get rid of clay-colored stools?

If malabsorption of fats is causing the clay-colored stool, then a change in diet and vitamin supplements are often prescribed. In situations where bile ducts are blocked, surgery may be the answer. When the problem is linked to the gallbladder, surgical removal of the gallbladder may be the best way to address it.

When should I be worried about pale stools?

Pale stools can result from dietary choices, an infection, or an underlying medical problem, such as gallbladder or liver disease. Anyone with persistently white or clay-colored stools should seek medical advice.

Should I be worried if my poop is tan?

All shades of brown and even green are considered normal. Only rarely does stool color indicate a potentially serious intestinal condition.

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 does clay poo 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.

Which digestive disorder can cause the feces to be pale and clay colored?

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.

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. Bile is responsible for providing the brown color of normal stool. When stool is pale rather than brown, it indicates that bile is not being made or there is a blockage between the liver and the bile ducts.

What is the cause of bile ducts in the liver?

2. Biliary Cirrhosis. Biliary cirrhosis occurs when the bile ducts of the liver become irritated and inflamed, which blocks bile from getting to the intestines. The cause of this illness is not known and there is no known cure at present. Biliary cirrhosis is a life-threatening condition.

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.

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 ...

Why do I have a clay odor in my stool?

For instance, some anti-inflammatories can cause clay-colored stool. Antibiotics, anabolic steroids, and some birth control pills have also been known to cause clay-colored stool.

Why does pale stool turn yellow?

Complications resulting from untreated pale stool is jaundice because there is a build-up of bile in the body which makes the skin appear yellowish. Jaundice is also a symptom of liver disease and so it’s highly important you see your doctor if you notice color changes of your skin and the whites of your eyes.

Why is my stool brown?

The term for this is “acholic” and it is usually a result of lack of bile. Bile salts are released into stool by the liver and give them their brown color. When the liver is not producing enough bile, or when the flow of the bile is blocked, stools become clay-colored. Pale-colored stool in adults is no reason for alarm if it only happens once in ...

Why is my bile duct narrowing?

Structural defects – Some people are born with defects in their biliary system that prevents the flow of bile. Biliary stricture – Gallbladder removal surgery can lead to narrowing of the bile ducts.

What are the symptoms of a bile duct cyst?

Symptoms include jaundice, loss of appetite, itching, fever, and pain on the right side. Cysts – Cysts on the bile ducts can prevent the flow of bile. Symptoms include jaundice and a mass in the upper right side of the stomach.

How to fix a clay poop?

In situations where bile ducts are blocked, surgery may be the answer. When the problem is linked to the gallbladder, surgical removal of the gallbladder may be the best way to address it. There are cases where removal is not necessary, but surgery to fix the issue can be performed. Bile acid dissolution therapy is an alternative to surgery in situations where there is a gallstone less than 0.5 mm. This treatment can last anywhere between 6 to 12 months and involves taking an oral solution to help dissolve gallstones. When it comes to repairing strictures in the bile duct, surgery is also a possibility. It will allow bile to flow properly again.

How long does bile acid dissolution therapy last?

This treatment can last anywhere between 6 to 12 months and involves taking an oral solution to help dissolve gallstones.

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 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.

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, ...

What is biliary atresia?

Biliary atresia- biliary atresia is a congenital defect, and clay colored stool will be present after birth, along with other symptoms [3,4].

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 causes bile flow obstruction?

Bile flow obstruction can also be caused by late-stage gallbladder cancer.

What is the process of biliverdin?

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 plasma protein. Albumin has a high capacity to bind with bilirubin, but there are other substances which can compete with it.

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 does the liver not produce bile?

Reasons, why the liver might have issues producing adequate bile, include: 1 Liver damage from certain medications such as acetaminophen: As we note in our primer on painkillers, high doses or regular, long-term use of acetaminophen can cause liver damage, especially if combined with alcohol. 2 Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis of the liver, which is most often caused by chronic, excessive alcohol use, causes scar tissue to replace normal tissue in the liver. 3 Fatty liver disease: Fatty liver disease (FLD) is essentially an inflammation of the liver. Although it can be caused by alcohol abuse, it is more often caused by obesity. (Here are 9 risk factors for non-alcohol-related FLD .) 4 Liver infections: These include the various forms of hepatitis, which are liver-infecting viruses. 5 Autoimmune disease of the liver, including autoimmune hepatitis 6 Liver cancer: Malignant tumors of the liver are rare, but serious, and can be brought about or hastened by some of the other liver conditions noted here. 7 Genetic liver disease: A genetic disorder, known as alagille syndrome, which presents by the age of two, can affect the liver, the heart, and other parts of the body.

What to do if you have pale stools?

So if you notice pale or clay-colored stool for the first time, ask yourself if you might have inadvertently taken a calcium supplement in the form of an antacid tablet. In the absence of other symptoms, it’s OK to take a wait and see approach.

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.

Why do my stools turn clay?

Some people are born with variations in their biliary system. Potential structural issues prevent the flow of bile from the bile ducts, giving stools a signature clay color. Some of the conditions responsible for this, such as biliary atresia, cause immediately noticeable symptoms.

How to treat pale stool?

Treating pale stool involves treating the underlying trigger. Sometimes, surgery is necessary to improve bile flow. Infections or liver disease require prescription medications. Conditions like primary biliary cholangitis have no cure, but doctors do have methods of slowing their progression.

What is the function of the liver?

The liver produces bile, which helps with digestion and allows the body to get rid of cholesterol, old red blood cells, and various toxins. Primary biliary cholangitis or biliary cirrhosis is a chronic autoimmune disease involving the destruction of the bile ducts in the liver.

Why is my bowel movement so pale?

Bowel movements can reveal a shocking amount of information about a person’s health. Pale, white, or clay-colored stool often indicates that there is an issue with the biliary system. Pigments within bile give stools their traditional brown coloration, so a lack of bile results in less color.

What medications change stool color?

A few of the most common are birth control pills, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antidiarrheal medications. The mechanisms differ with each drug. Some medications interact with materials in the body, such as sulfur, to change stool color.

What causes a pale stool?

Growths in the Bile System. Various growths within the bile system may obstruct or narrow the bile ducts, causing pale or clay-colored stools. Both malignant and benign tumors in the liver or bile ducts can impede the flow of bile. Cysts can also be responsible.

Why do children have pale stools?

Bile duct obstructions or liver disease are possible, though uncommon in young children. Barium sulfate from barium enemas can temporarily change stool color. Additionally, however, infants or children on milk-only diets often have pale stools.

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.

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, ...

What does it mean when your stool is red?

Consult your doctor if you're concerned about your stool color. If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek prompt medical attention.

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.

What is sclerosing cholangitis?

Sclerosing cholangitis is an inflammation or scarring of the bile ducts, which are the tubes that carry bile throughout the body. The exact cause of this disease is unknown, but genetic factors may be partially responsible.

What is the best treatment for bile ductitis?

Commonly prescribed medications include cholestyramine (Questran) to treat itching and ursodiol (Urso Forte), which aids in removing bile from the bloodstream.

Why is my stool white?

Some of the causes are: a milk-only diet. barium sulfate from barium enema. antacids. blocked bile ducts or liver disease. You should contact your doctor any time your child’s stool changes color, especially if they haven’t had any brightly colored foods or if the stools are pale, white, or clay-colored.

What is endoscopic balloon?

endoscopic balloon: inserting a balloon at the end of a long tube into the bile ducts to open any narrowing

What is the hardened deposit in the gallbladder that can block the flow of bile?

Gallstones are hardened deposits in the gallbladder that can block the flow of bile.

What medications can help with liver inflammation?

Medications such as prednisone (RAYOS) and pentoxifylline (Pentopak) can also treat liver inflammation.

How to fix bile ducts?

Your doctor may be able to correct the problems using surgery or a stent. A stent is a small tube that a surgeon places inside the ducts to keep them open so that bile can flow freely.

Should I go to the ER for pale or grey stool?

Yes, if you have persistent pale/grey stool or jaundice and any of the following:

How does bile get into the intestines?

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. Blockages by a tumor along the duct or the surrounding area (including the gallbladder or pancreas) will keep bile from flowing to the intestine, which can cause stool to become pale or grey (and also cause jaundice).

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 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.

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 Is Clay Colored stool?

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...

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Treatment