A 38-year-old member asked:
what could cause pale stools?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
Bradenton, FL
A 40-year-old male asked:
I am having tan / light colored stools? Should I be concerned? Thanks.
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. David Wyatt answered
Family Medicine 26 years experience
Nah...: Lighter colored stools reflect what you have eaten recently. Unless you are have very loose stools like diarrhea that you have to worry about becoming dehydrated -or - bloody stools, the change in stool color is not to be concerned with. Any new foods? Supplements? Vitamins? Or medications? If so these would explain as well... Best to you!
6144 views
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
A 67-year-old female asked:
What causes extremely pale stools?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Weeks answered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Bile blockage: One possible cause is obstruction of the bile duct from gallstones, tumor or swelling. The normal color of the stools comes in large part from the bile so when it doesn't get into the intestine, light or "clay colored" stools result. If you are having abdominal pain or other symptoms associated with this, please see a doctor.
6032 views
A 38-year-old member asked:
Is a one time pale stool cause for concern?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. You Sung Sang answered
Gastroenterology 31 years experience
No: Most likely was due to something different in your diet the day before.
3819 views
A 44-year-old member asked:
Help please? What is causing my pale stool?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Don't know. Are you: ill? Light colored (like clay) stool might be seen w liver problems like hepatitis, liver cancer or cirrhosis. There
could be gallstones, biliary duct obstruction, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer or mononucleosis. White stools can be seen w malabsorption of fat. White mucus might occur w IBS. Might have light color if you had a recent barium enema or from antacids (aluminum hydroxide). Are you >
3862 views
A 49-year-old member asked:
What can cause pale stool?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Pale stool: Have clay / pale colored stools checked out. This can occur when the liver does not produce enough bile or when bile is blocked from leaving the liver. Some possible causes include: gall stones, bile duct cysts, strictures of bile ducts, hepatitis, some medications, cancer, etc.
2828 views
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Last updated Oct 27, 2016
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