Stools - pale or clay colored

Alternative names

Acholic stools

Definition

Stools that are pale, or clay or putty-colored may result from problems in the biliary system (the drainage system of the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas).

Considerations

Jaundiced (yellow) skin often accompanies clay-colored stools.

The liver excretes bile salts into the stool, giving it a normal brown color. Obstruction to the flow of bile out of the liver (you may see the word "Cholestasis"), or liver infections like viral hepatitis, may produce clay-colored stools.

Common Causes

Possible causes for clay-colored stool result from problems in the biliary system, and may include:

• Cancer or benign tumors
  
• Strictures (narrowings)
  
• Congenital anatomic problems (present at birth)
  
• Gallstones
  
• Cysts
  
• Medications
  
• Sclerosing cholangitis
  
• Biliary Cirrhosis
  
• Protein or infectious infiltration
  
• Alcoholic hepatitis
  
• Viral hepatitis (A,B, or C)
  

The underlying cause should be investigated.

Home Care

Follow prescribed therapy.

Call your health care provider if

If clay-colored or pale stools, dark (bloody-looking) urine, or jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyeballs) appears, contact your health care provider.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting pale or clay-colored stools in detail may include:

• Time pattern
  o When did this first occur?
  o Is every stool this way?
  
• Medications
  o What medications are being taken?
  o Have you changed medication in any way?
  
• Associated symptoms
  o Is there any ?o Is there any jaundice?o Has there been darkening of the urine?o Is there ?o Is there any fever, chills, or night sweats?