Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Stool Colors MeanCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Stool Colors Mean
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Having clay-colored or light-colored stool just once, or every now and then, isn’t usually a concern. But a consistently pale or lightpoop colormay be a sign of a serious medical condition likehepatitis,gallstones, and otherliverorbiliary (bile duct or gall bladder) diseases.
This article explains what’s normal and abnormal with regard to stool color. It also explains what causes pale stool color, other symptoms to watch for, and how the underlying cause of light-colored stools is diagnosed and treated.
Verywell / Zoe Hansen
Normal vs. Abnormal Stool Colors
Healthy stoolscome in many sizes, shapes, and colors. When it comes to color, there are those that are inherently normal and others that may signal a health concern.
Here is what different stool colors possibly mean:
Bristol Stool Chart: Poop Types and What They Mean
Causes of Clay-Colored Stools
Thebiliary systemconsists of thegallbladder,liver, andpancreaswhich work together to aid with digestion.Bile, a fluid created in the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and released into the small intestine, is one of the key compounds that enable this.
When not enough bile is being produced or secreted, stools will be pale, light, or clay-colored due to the lack of bilirubin. The medical term for this isacholia.
There are several reasons why bile levels are decreased. They can be broadly categorized as being either liver-related or gallbladder-related.
Liver-Related Causes
Hepatocytes are less able to produce bile if the liver is injured or inflamed.Hepatitispertains to liver inflammation, the condition of which can either beacute(sudden and often short-lived) orchronic(persistent or recurrent).
Among the liver diseases that can trigger acholia are:
Gallbladder-Related Causes
Bile is released at the first section of the small intestine, called theduodenum, situated immediately after the stomach.
There are several reasons why bile is not secreted as it is supposed to, including:
What Causes Light-Colored Stools in Children?
Acholia can affect children and even newborns. While uncommon, it is typically due tocongenital abnormalitiesthat a child is born with, such as:
A viral or bacterial infection soon after birth can also damage the liver or gallbladder and cause acholia.
Watch for Signs of Jaundice
Diagnosing the Cause of Light-Colored Stools
A healthcare provider must first identify the underlying cause before treating you for clay-colored stools. In addition to a complete medical history, they may order some of the following tests:
What Is ERCP?
Treatment of Clay-Colored Stools
Treatment for clay-colored stools depends on the underlying cause. For example, if medications or supplements are suspected causes, you may need to adjust or switch which drugs you take.
Likewise, you may need to change your diet if a healthcare provider believes malabsorption is a contributing factor. If the liver is involved, you may be advised to avoid drinking alcohol.
Prevention of Light-Colored Stools
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of liver or gallbladder disease and, in turn, the development of acholia:
Summary
An occasional clay-colored stool isn’t usually a concern. However, if pale stools persist, 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.
Your healthcare provider may run some tests to see what’s causing clay-colored stools. Treatment depends on the cause and ranges from dietary changes to surgery.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mount Sinai.Stools - pale or clay-colored.Ohno H, Murakami H, Tanisawa K, Konishi K, Miyachi M.Validity of an observational assessment tool for multifaceted evaluation of faecal condition.Sci Rep.2019;9:3760. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40178-5National Cancer Institute.Biliary system.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Your digestive system and how it works.National Library of Medicine.Acholic stools.MedlinePlus.Stools - pale or clay-colored.MedlinePlus.Gallbladder disease.Hodler J, Kubik-Huch RA, von Schulthess GK.Chapter 5: disease of the gallbladder and biliary tree. In:Diseases of the Abdomen and Pelvis 2018-2021: Diagnostic Imaging - IDKD Book. Cham (CH): Springer; 2018.Santos Silva E, Moreira Silva H, Azevedo Lijnzaat L, et al.Clinical practices among healthcare professionals concerning neonatal jaundice and pale stools.Eur J Pediatr. 2017;176(3):361-369. doi:10.1007/s00431-016-2847-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th edition.Jennison E, Patel J, Scorletti E, Byrne CD.Diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Postgrad Med J. 2019;95(1124):314-22.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for gallstones.Additional ReadingKasırga E.The importance of stool tests in diagnosis and follow-up of gastrointestinal disorders in children.Turk Pediatri Ars. 2019;54(3):141-148. doi:10.14744/TurkPediatriArs.2018.00483Seattle Children’s Hospital.Stools - unusual color.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mount Sinai.Stools - pale or clay-colored.Ohno H, Murakami H, Tanisawa K, Konishi K, Miyachi M.Validity of an observational assessment tool for multifaceted evaluation of faecal condition.Sci Rep.2019;9:3760. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40178-5National Cancer Institute.Biliary system.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Your digestive system and how it works.National Library of Medicine.Acholic stools.MedlinePlus.Stools - pale or clay-colored.MedlinePlus.Gallbladder disease.Hodler J, Kubik-Huch RA, von Schulthess GK.Chapter 5: disease of the gallbladder and biliary tree. In:Diseases of the Abdomen and Pelvis 2018-2021: Diagnostic Imaging - IDKD Book. Cham (CH): Springer; 2018.Santos Silva E, Moreira Silva H, Azevedo Lijnzaat L, et al.Clinical practices among healthcare professionals concerning neonatal jaundice and pale stools.Eur J Pediatr. 2017;176(3):361-369. doi:10.1007/s00431-016-2847-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th edition.Jennison E, Patel J, Scorletti E, Byrne CD.Diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Postgrad Med J. 2019;95(1124):314-22.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for gallstones.Additional ReadingKasırga E.The importance of stool tests in diagnosis and follow-up of gastrointestinal disorders in children.Turk Pediatri Ars. 2019;54(3):141-148. doi:10.14744/TurkPediatriArs.2018.00483Seattle Children’s Hospital.Stools - unusual color.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mount Sinai.Stools - pale or clay-colored.Ohno H, Murakami H, Tanisawa K, Konishi K, Miyachi M.Validity of an observational assessment tool for multifaceted evaluation of faecal condition.Sci Rep.2019;9:3760. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40178-5National Cancer Institute.Biliary system.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Your digestive system and how it works.National Library of Medicine.Acholic stools.MedlinePlus.Stools - pale or clay-colored.MedlinePlus.Gallbladder disease.Hodler J, Kubik-Huch RA, von Schulthess GK.Chapter 5: disease of the gallbladder and biliary tree. In:Diseases of the Abdomen and Pelvis 2018-2021: Diagnostic Imaging - IDKD Book. Cham (CH): Springer; 2018.Santos Silva E, Moreira Silva H, Azevedo Lijnzaat L, et al.Clinical practices among healthcare professionals concerning neonatal jaundice and pale stools.Eur J Pediatr. 2017;176(3):361-369. doi:10.1007/s00431-016-2847-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th edition.Jennison E, Patel J, Scorletti E, Byrne CD.Diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Postgrad Med J. 2019;95(1124):314-22.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for gallstones.
Mount Sinai.Stools - pale or clay-colored.
Ohno H, Murakami H, Tanisawa K, Konishi K, Miyachi M.Validity of an observational assessment tool for multifaceted evaluation of faecal condition.Sci Rep.2019;9:3760. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40178-5
National Cancer Institute.Biliary system.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Your digestive system and how it works.
National Library of Medicine.Acholic stools.
MedlinePlus.Stools - pale or clay-colored.
MedlinePlus.Gallbladder disease.
Hodler J, Kubik-Huch RA, von Schulthess GK.Chapter 5: disease of the gallbladder and biliary tree. In:Diseases of the Abdomen and Pelvis 2018-2021: Diagnostic Imaging - IDKD Book. Cham (CH): Springer; 2018.
Santos Silva E, Moreira Silva H, Azevedo Lijnzaat L, et al.Clinical practices among healthcare professionals concerning neonatal jaundice and pale stools.Eur J Pediatr. 2017;176(3):361-369. doi:10.1007/s00431-016-2847-y
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th edition.
Jennison E, Patel J, Scorletti E, Byrne CD.Diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Postgrad Med J. 2019;95(1124):314-22.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for gallstones.
Kasırga E.The importance of stool tests in diagnosis and follow-up of gastrointestinal disorders in children.Turk Pediatri Ars. 2019;54(3):141-148. doi:10.14744/TurkPediatriArs.2018.00483Seattle Children’s Hospital.Stools - unusual color.
Kasırga E.The importance of stool tests in diagnosis and follow-up of gastrointestinal disorders in children.Turk Pediatri Ars. 2019;54(3):141-148. doi:10.14744/TurkPediatriArs.2018.00483
Seattle Children’s Hospital.Stools - unusual color.
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