Short answer
Stool gets its brown color from bile. Pale, clay-colored, white or gray stool usually means too little bile is reaching the gut, which can happen with a blocked bile duct, gallstones, or liver and pancreas disease. A recent barium test or certain antacids can also cause it. If there is no clear medical reason, see a doctor promptly. In a baby, treat pale or white stool as urgent.
What causes pale or clay-colored stool?
Pale or clay-colored stool usually means too little bile is reaching the intestines, which can be caused by gallstones, liver disease, bile duct problems or pancreas conditions.
Bile is blocked or not being made
- Gallstones blocking the bile duct.
- Liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and alcohol-related liver disease.
- Bile duct problems such as strictures, inflammation, cysts or tumors.
- Pancreas conditions such as pancreatitis or a tumor at the head of the pancreas, which can press on the bile duct.
- Biliary atresia in newborns, where the bile ducts are blocked or missing.
Medicines and tests
- Barium used in some X-ray tests can leave stool white or pale for a few days.
- Antacids containing aluminum hydroxide.
- Some medicines that can affect the liver. Check the leaflet of anything you started recently and ask your pharmacist.
Is white, gray or light-colored stool the same as pale stool?
White stool and gray stool follow the same logic as clay-colored stool. They suggest little or no bile in the stool. Light brown or tan stool, by contrast, is usually within the normal range. If you are unsure, compare with the stool color chart.
What symptoms can come with pale stool?
Pale stool matters more when it comes with other signs of a bile or liver problem:
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark, tea-colored urine
- Itchy skin
- Pain in the upper right belly
- Fever, nausea or unexplained weight loss
When should you see a doctor about pale stool?
See a doctor promptly about pale or clay-colored stool with no clear explanation. Get care right away if it comes with yellow skin, dark urine or severe pain, or if it appears in a baby.
Likely explained
- You had a barium test in the last few days
- You started an aluminum-based antacid, and stool is otherwise normal
Call a doctor within a day
- Pale or clay-colored stool with no clear explanation, lasting more than a day or two
- Pale stool that keeps coming back
Get care now
- Pale stool with yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, fever or severe belly pain
- White, pale or gray stool in a baby or newborn
Babies: pale, white or clay-colored stool in a newborn can be a sign of biliary atresia, a condition that needs early treatment. Call your pediatrician the same day. See the baby poop color guide.
Warning signs to know
These are signs that published medical guidance says need prompt or urgent care. The list is not complete, and ticking boxes cannot tell you whether you are ill. If you are worried, contact a clinician whatever you tick.
Questions people ask
What does clay-colored stool mean?
It usually means not enough bile is reaching your intestines. Causes include gallstones, bile duct blockage, and liver or pancreas disease. It should be evaluated by a doctor.
Is white poop serious?
It can be. White or very pale stool can signal a blocked bile duct or a liver condition. The exception is white stool after a barium test, which clears within a few days. If you have no such explanation, see a doctor.
Can a pale stool happen once and be normal?
A single lighter stool, especially one that looks tan or light brown, is usually not a concern. Persistent pale, gray or white stool is not normal and should be checked.
What causes white stool in a toddler?
In children, white or pale stool can come from a liver or bile duct problem, or from barium. Milk-heavy diets can make stool look lighter but not truly white. Contact your pediatrician if stool is white or gray.
Sources
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