Pale Stools
Alternative Names:
Gray Stools, Clay-colored Stools, Putty-colored Stools
Definition:
Pale stools are stools (feces) that are unusually light in color.
Symptoms:
Patients who experience pale stools may notice the following symptoms:
- Stools that are gray or unusually light in color
- Unusually shiny stools
- Floating stools
Exams/Testing:
When determining the cause of a patient’s pale stools, a doctor will likely conduct a physical examination and ask questions about current medications the patient may be taking, when the symptoms first began, additional symptoms a patient may be experiencing, and whether or not every stool is pale in color.
Several medical tests may be requested to determine the cause of pale stools including:
- Blood tests
- Stool culture
- Imaging tests
- CT scan
- Upper abdominal ultrasound
Outlook/Prognosis:
Pale stools are often the result of a number of conditions. A patient’s outlook will vary depending on the severity of the cause of pale stools.
Possible causes of pale stools include:
- Gallstones
- Hepatitis
- Pancreatic conditions
- Liver conditions
- Consuming large amounts of food that is light in color
- Digestive issues
- Use of certain medications (such as antacids)
Causes (specific drugs):
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