Stools that are pale, clay, or putty-colored may be due to problems in the biliary system. The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. Food passes from the stomach into the small intestine.
Normal stools are not always dark brown. Sometimes they are light brown, tan or yellow.
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.
All shades of brown and even green are considered normal. Only rarely does stool color indicate a potentially serious intestinal condition.
Stools should be brown, have a peanut-butter texture, and look like a sausage. If your stool has an abnormal color or consistency, it may be due to something you ate or an underlying medical condition in need of investigation by a healthcare provider.
Gray or Clay-Colored Stool
The stool can be gray or clay-colored if it contains little or no bile. The pale color may signify a condition (biliary obstruction) where the flow of bile to the intestine is obstructed, such as obstruction of the bile duct from a tumor or gallstone in the duct or nearby pancreas.
If your stool is white or pale, there may be something wrong. In some cases, it may resolve on its own in a few days. However, if it doesn't go away, you will need to see a doctor. White poop happens when there is a lack of bile in the stool.
Gray: May indicate a liver or gallbladder problem or be symptomatic of viral hepatitis, gallstones or alcoholic hepatitis. Yellow, greasy, foul-smelling: Excess fat in the stool, possibly due to a malabsorption disorder like celiac disease.
The color of stools varies, but typically falls within the spectrum of brown color, depending on the foods you eat. You should be concerned if your stools are deep red, maroon, black, or "tarry," especially if they have a noticeable odor. This may mean that there is blood in the stool.
Yellow stool can be found in people with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, chest pain, sore throat, chronic cough, and wheezing. Symptoms are usually worse when lying down or bending.
A healthy stool, then, should reflect a mixture of all the colors of the food you eat and that bile. Almost any shade of brown, or even green, is considered OK.
The brown color comes from bile salts made by your liver. If your liver doesn't make bile normally or if the flow from the liver is blocked, your poop will look pale like the color of clay. Pale poop often happens along with yellow skin (jaundice).
Too much fat in your feces is called steatorrhea. It may be a result of overconsumption of fatty and greasy foods, or it can be a sign of malabsorption. This means your body either isn't absorbing nutrients properly or isn't making the enzymes or bile needed to digest food effectively.
Diet. Your stool can be yellow because of your diet. Some causes of this are eating foods high in food coloring, carrots, or sweet potatoes. It may also be from certain gluten products or a diet high in fats.
Summary. An occasional clay-colored stool isn't usually a concern. However, if pale stools persist, it can point to a problem with bile ducts or another underlying medical condition. It's essential to see a healthcare provider, especially if you have any other concerning symptoms, like jaundice or pain.
Light-colored stools (grey or clay-colored) in adults can be caused by lack of bile in the digestive system. It is usually from a blockage in the bile ducts, either from a stone or a tumor. Bile helps digest fats and is responsible for the brown color of stool.