Stools, pale or clay colored

Definition:

Stools that are clay, pale, or putty colored.

Considerations:

Jaundiced (yellow) skin often accompanies clay colored stools.

Bile salts in the stool give it a normal brown color. Obstruction of bile flow out of the liver or a lack of bile salt production will produce clay colored stools.

Possible causes for clay colored stool include:
DISEASE:

• bile duct cancer
• biliary cirrhosis
• biliary obstruction
• cholangitis (sclerosing)
• cystic fibrosis
• hepatitis
• pancreatic cancer
• pancreatitis (acute)
• viral hepatitis syndrome

MEDICAL TREATMENTS:

• biliary surgery
• antibiotics

Note: There may be other causes of pale or clay colored stools. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for pale or clay colored stools, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.