Stools, pale or clay colored

Home care:

Follow prescribed therapy.

Call your health care provider if:

• clay colored or pale stools are observed. If possible, a stool specimen should be taken to the doctor's office.

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
  • When did this first occur?
  • Is every stool this way?

• medications
  • What medications are being taken?
  • Have you changed medication in any way?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there abdominal pain?
  • Is there jaundice?

The physical examination will include emphasis on the abdominal region.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• abdominal ultrasound
• liver function tests
• serum amylase test
• serum bilirubin test
• stool culture

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to pale or clay colored stools, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.