Why is my poop a light clay color?

Clay-colored or white stools (pale stools) Light-colored or clay-colored stools are often seen with diseases of the liver or bile ducts. The pale stool may be caused by pancreatic cancer that blocks the bile ducts. Lack of bile causes stool to lose its brown color and leaves it appearing pale.

What is considered a pale colored stool?

Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color. If your liver is not producing enough bile, or if the flow of the bile is blocked and not draining from your liver, your stools may become pale or clay-colored. Having pale stools once in a while may not be a cause for concern.

Should I go to the doctor if my poop is pale?

Because pale stools may be caused by a serious disease or condition, you should seek prompt medical care if you, or your child, have unusually pale or light-colored stools. Early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause of pale stool can reduce the risk of possible complications, such as liver failure.

Is Clay colored stool serious?

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.

Does IBS cause light colored stool?

A person should also see a doctor if their symptoms get progressively worse, stools are pale, bulky, very offensive smelling and difficult to flush away (this may indicate a problem with absorbing fat), or if they are concerned about their symptoms.

Is clay colored stool serious?

Why is my baby’s poop light tan?

And it’s the bile that gives the poop the yellow or green color, along with bacteria that lives in the baby’s gut. It’s normal for formula-fed infants to have light brown, pasty poop, according to the Mayo Clinic, with a consistency that’s been compared to peanut butter.

Is light brown poop OK?

All shades of brown and even green are considered normal. 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.

What does clay colored stool indicate?

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.

What causes clay color stools?

Clay coloured stools Common Causes. Some of the common causes of Clay coloured stools may include: Alcoholic hepattis. Cirrhosis. Gallstones. Medication.

What does a pale stool look like?

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.

What does pale colored stools mean?

Pale and “clay” colored stools are a sign of mal-absorption, which can happen if people have something like short gut syndrome or CF, and a WLS with mal-absorption. Probably normal with RNY or DS.