Clay-colored Stool

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Try one of these related symptoms.

Pale stools

Clay colored stools

Stool is white

Grayish stool

Pale stool 1 month after labor

About the Symptom

Pale stools describe white, clay, or putty-colored poop. White stool refers to stool that is pale, white, or look like clay or putty.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

Possible Causes

Generally, Clay-colored stool can be related to:

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

Reviewed By:

Samantha Nazareth, MD

Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)

Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).

Aiko Yoshioka, MD

Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)

Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.

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Content updated on Feb 6, 2025

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With a free 3-min Clay-colored Stool quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.

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  • Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.

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FAQs

Q.

Liver Disease Symptoms? Why Your Liver Is Struggling & Medically Approved Next Steps

A.

Liver disease often starts quietly with fatigue, brain fog, nausea, appetite or weight changes, and mild right upper abdominal discomfort, then progresses to clearer signs like yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale or clay colored stools, swelling of the belly or legs, easy bruising or bleeding, itching, and confusion; common reasons your liver may be struggling include fatty liver from metabolic issues, alcohol use, viral hepatitis, medication or supplement injury, and autoimmune or genetic disorders. Medically approved next steps include seeing a clinician for targeted labs and imaging, reviewing all medications and alcohol, improving metabolic health with gradual weight loss, diet and exercise, managing diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol, considering hepatitis vaccines when appropriate, and seeking urgent care for red flags like vomiting blood, black stools, severe pain, rapid swelling, fever with jaundice, or sudden confusion. Many more practical details below can change which actions are right for you and whether damage is reversible, since early disease can often improve while advanced cirrhosis usually cannot.

References:

* Papamichael K, et al. Diagnosis and assessment of chronic liver diseases in the general population. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2022 Sep 1;38(5):455-464. PMID: 35922378.

* Younossi ZM, et al. Etiology of Chronic Liver Diseases: A Global Perspective. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Jun;17(7):1224-1232. PMID: 30678297.

* Gouda D, et al. Current status and future trends in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic liver diseases. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci. 2023 Nov;30(11):1199-1207. PMID: 37637877.

* Sagnelli E, et al. Chronic Liver Disease: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment. J Clin Med. 2021 Sep 14;10(18):4170. PMID: 34551717.

* Li H, et al. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment. Cell Death Dis. 2022 Feb 16;13(2):162. PMID: 35165922.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Yellow Eyes? Why Your Liver Is Struggling + Medically Approved Next Steps

A.

Yellow eyes usually signal elevated bilirubin, most often from liver problems like hepatitis, fatty liver, alcohol-related disease, or blocked bile ducts, but can also come from hemolysis or rare genetic conditions. Treat this as urgent if accompanied by dark urine, pale stools, severe abdominal pain, fever, confusion, vomiting blood, or rapid worsening. Next steps include scheduling prompt medical evaluation for labs and imaging, stopping alcohol, reviewing medications with your clinician, and monitoring stool and urine color; there are several factors to consider, and important details that can affect your next steps are outlined below.

References:

* Kumar, A., & Rao, P. N. (2020). Approach to the Adult with Jaundice. *Journal of the Association of Physicians of India*, *68*(9), 102–106.

* Ehlken, H., & Schramm, C. (2019). Cholestatic Liver Diseases: Causes, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics. *Zeitschrift Fur Gastroenterologie*, *57*(7), 787–796.

* Ginès, P., Cardenas, A., & Arroyo, V. (2018). Decompensated cirrhosis: Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. *Journal of Hepatology*, *69*(1), 199–214.

* Thapa, B. R., & Walia, A. (2018). Interpreting Liver Function Tests: A Guide for Clinicians. *Indian Journal of Gastroenterology*, *37*(5), 365–372.

* Lee, S. S., & Ho, J. K. D. (2019). Acute liver failure: Epidemiology, causes, and outcomes. *Current Opinion in Critical Care*, *25*(3), 209–214.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Yellow Sclera? Why Eye Whites Change & Medically Approved Next Steps

A.

Yellowing of the eye whites usually means bilirubin is building up, most often from liver disease, a bile duct blockage, or a blood disorder, and it deserves prompt medical evaluation. Check for dark urine, pale or clay colored stools, severe abdominal pain, fever, confusion, vomiting blood, or black stools and seek urgent care if any are present; otherwise avoid alcohol, review recent medications and supplements, and arrange testing with a clinician. There are several factors to consider, and important red flags, causes, and medically approved next steps are explained below.

References:

* Balakrishnan, A., Sreekantan Nair, G. R., & Bini, J. (2021). Jaundice and the eye: a review. *Survey of Ophthalmology, 66*(3), 517-531. PMID: 32682390.

* Li, J., & Desai, P. (2020). Yellow Sclera? Think beyond Jaundice. *The American Journal of Medicine, 133*(7), 783-784. PMID: 32247963.

* Winger, J., & Patel, P. (2021). Jaundice: Causes, Diagnosis, and Management. *The Medical Clinics of North America, 105*(2), 291-309. PMID: 33526159.

* Roche, S. P., & Kobos, R. (2019). Jaundice in adults: aetiology, diagnosis and management. *British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London, England : 2005), 80*(4), 213-219. PMID: 30973499.

* Kwo, P. Y., & Patel, Y. A. (2023). Approach to the Adult Patient with Jaundice. *Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 21*(4), 868-877. PMID: 36566861.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Yellow Eyes? Why Your Liver Is Yellowing: Gilbert’s Syndrome Next Steps

A.

Yellowing of the eyes is often from mild bilirubin buildup in Gilbert’s syndrome, a common, benign condition that can flare with fasting, dehydration, illness, stress, intense exercise, or lack of sleep. There are several factors to consider; see below for how to confirm the diagnosis, avoid triggers, stay hydrated, and tell clinicians because some medicines are processed differently. Do not assume all jaundice is Gilbert’s; seek care urgently for dark urine, pale or clay-colored stool, severe abdominal pain, fever, confusion, or rapid worsening, and get blood tests to rule out other liver or bile duct problems. Key next steps and nuances that could change your plan are detailed below.

References:

* Radu A, Bragaru C, Mihai S, et al. Gilbert Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Management. J Clin Med. 2023 Dec 30;13(1):198. PMID: 38200676.

* Furlanello T, Furlanello F. Gilbert's Syndrome: The State of the Art. J Clin Med. 2023 Nov 27;12(23):7272. PMID: 38068994.

* Olsson R, Lindstedh J, Björnsson ES. Gilbert's syndrome: a fresh look at an old but interesting problem. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2022 Jan;57(1):1-6. PMID: 34503378.

* Balistreri WF, Schaffer F, Suchy FJ. Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Clin Liver Dis. 2021 May;25(2):169-183. PMID: 33863488.

* Strassburg CP. Inherited disorders of bilirubin metabolism: an updated review. J Clin Med. 2018 Nov 13;7(11):444. PMID: 30428414.

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Q.

Yellow Skin? Why Your Body Is Jaundiced & Medically Approved Next Steps

A.

Yellow skin or eyes usually means jaundice, a buildup of bilirubin caused by problems before the liver, inside the liver, or after the liver, and clues like dark urine, pale stools, itching, abdominal pain, or fever help narrow the cause. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Do not ignore this; seek prompt medical care, and go to urgent care or the ER if severe pain, high fever, confusion, vomiting blood, black stools, or rapidly worsening symptoms occur. Diagnosis uses blood tests and imaging, and treatment targets the cause rather than home remedies; see the complete guidance below for important details that could change your next steps.

References:

* Woreta, T. A., & Nelson, J. A. (2024). Jaundice in Adults: Evaluation and Management. *Gastroenterology & Hepatology*, *20*(4), 198-206.

* Roccaro, A., & Catenacci, L. (2022). Evaluation of the Adult Patient with Jaundice. *Gastroenterology Clinics of North America*, *51*(2), 329-346.

* Chandran, S., Ramachandran, K., & Ramachandran, A. (2020). Approach to jaundice. *Clinics in Liver Disease*, *24*(2), 173-195.

* Kwo, P. Y., & Talwalkar, J. A. (2019). The Diagnostic Approach to Jaundice in Adults. *Clinics in Liver Disease*, *23*(2), 207-221.

* Strassburg, C. P., & Manns, M. P. (2018). Jaundice in the Adult: Diagnostic Approaches and Current Management. *Seminars in Liver Disease*, *38*(3), 200-212.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

High Bilirubin? Why Your Liver Is Overwhelmed & Medically Approved Steps

A.

There are several factors to consider. High bilirubin usually means your liver or bile system is overwhelmed, most often from faster red blood cell breakdown, liver inflammation or damage, or a blockage that stops bile from flowing. Medically approved next steps include confirming the cause with labs and imaging, immediately protecting your liver by avoiding alcohol and risky medications, and treating the root issue such as hepatitis, gallstones, fatty liver, or hemolysis, with urgent care needed for worsening jaundice, pale stools, very dark urine, severe pain, fever, or confusion. For key details that can change your next steps and outcomes, see the complete guidance below.

References:

* Alshahrani, Othman, and Rawan Alshahrani. "Diagnosis and Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in Adults." *Cureus* vol. 14,1 e21171. 11 Jan. 2022, doi:10.7759/cureus.21171. PMID: 35123497.

* Sarin, Shiv Kumar et al. "Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Management of Jaundice in Adults." *Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology* vol. 11,5 (2021): 1120-1138. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2021.03.012. PMID: 34101905.

* Roche SP, Kobos R. "Hyperbilirubinemia: A Clinical Review." *Am Fam Physician*. 2020 Jul 15;102(2):112-118. PMID: 32675608.

* Krawczyk, Marcin et al. "Bilirubin metabolism and its disorders." *Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology : An Official Journal of the Polish Physiological Society* vol. 69,2 (2018): 207-219. doi:10.26402/jpp.2018.2.03. PMID: 29775317.

* Woreta TA, Alqahtani SA. "Interpreting Liver Function Tests." *Med Clin North Am*. 2020 May;104(3):483-495. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2020.02.003. PMID: 32230073.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Not Just a Tan? Why Your Skin is Staining Yellow & Medically Vetted Jaundice Recovery Plan

A.

Yellowing skin or eyes is usually jaundice, caused by a bilirubin buildup that can stem from liver disease, blocked bile ducts, or rapid red blood cell breakdown, and it ranges from reversible issues to conditions needing urgent care. There are several factors to consider for safe recovery, including proper testing, treating the root cause, strict liver protection, smart nutrition, close monitoring, and follow up; see the complete, medically vetted plan and emergency warning signs below.

References:

* Sartin, J. S., & Pockett, B. R. (2020). Jaundice in Adults: A Diagnostic Approach. *American Family Physician*, *101*(12), 738–745.

* Mahmud, N., & Kaplan, D. E. (2020). Approach to the Adult Patient with Jaundice. *Clinics in Liver Disease*, *24*(3), 305–321.

* Ma, J., Li, Y., Zheng, M., Zhang, H., Ding, J., & Fu, M. (2021). Carotenemia: A Review of the Differential Diagnosis and Clinical Significance. *Clinical Nutrition*, *40*(2), 241–246.

* Goyal, A., & Gupta, A. (2023). Jaundice in Adults: Causes, Diagnosis, and Management. In *StatPearls*. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.

* Staufer, K., Payer, B., Salzl, P., Wrba, F., Trauner, M., Reiberger, T., Schwabl, P., Hofer, H., & Mandorfer, M. (2021). Management of hyperbilirubinemia. Jaundice in adults—a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. *Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift*, *133*(13-14), 649–659.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Blood on Toilet Paper or Stool: Identifying the Causes of Bright Red Streaks

A.

There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Bright red blood on toilet paper or streaks on stool most often comes from the lower digestive tract due to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or constipation, but can also reflect proctitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or less commonly colon polyps or cancer; seek prompt care if bleeding persists, is heavy, mixes with stool, or occurs with dizziness, fever, severe pain, weight loss, or family history, and while hydration, fiber, gentle wiping, and sitz baths may help mild cases, the details below can guide whether you should self care or get evaluated sooner.

References:

* Staller, K., Ngufor, C., Giallourakis, C. C., & Tsoi, K. (2023). Approach to the patient with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. *BMJ*, *381*, e073539. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2022-073539. PMID: 37045479.

* Barkun, A. N., Karlin, D. A., & Chait, M. M. (2023). Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a practical approach. *Gastrointestinal Endoscopy*, *98*(3), 360–370. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2023.06.012. PMID: 37402517.

* Malik, Z., Makker, J., Monaghan, J., Shah, C., & Abrol, H. (2017). Common Causes of Anorectal Bleeding. *Diseases of the Colon & Rectum*, *60*(1), 106–113. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000000735. PMID: 27959828.

* Mapel, D. W., Salek, M. S., DeLuca, M., & Salek, M. S. (2016). Contemporary management of anal fissures. *American Journal of Surgery*, *212*(6), 1179–1188. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.03.018. PMID: 27150036.

* Lohsiriwat, V. (2012). Hemorrhoids: from basic pathophysiology to clinical management. *World Journal of Gastroenterology*, *18*(17), 2028–2035. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i17.2028. PMID: 22563187; PMCID: PMC3342592.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Is It Crohn’s or UC? How Blood, Mucus, and Consistency Differ

A.

There are several stool features to consider. UC typically causes frequent, urgent diarrhea with bright red blood and mucus, while Crohn’s shows more variable patterns with less frequent or darker bleeding and less prominent mucus, sometimes fatty or bulky when the small intestine is involved. These clues help but do not diagnose; see the complete breakdown below for key nuances, red flags, and when to seek care so you can choose the right next steps.

References:

* Annunziata M, Ianiro G, Ponziani FR, Sgambato D, D'Aversa F, Gasbarrini A, Settanni CR. Distinguishing ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease: Diagnostic challenges and recent advances. World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Sep 21;19(35):5630-5. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i35.5630. PMID: 24078839.

* Van den Heuvel TR, Boshuizen RC, de Jong DJ, Bekkers C, de Boer NK, van Rheenen PF. Clinical predictors of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: a systematic review. J Crohns Colitis. 2014 Feb;8(2):87-97. doi: 10.1016/j.crohns.2013.07.014. Epub 2013 Aug 12. PMID: 24434237.

* Zhang J, Li Y, Yang G, Zhang Y, He Y, Huang X. Ulcerative colitis vs. Crohn's disease: Clinical differentiation and management strategies. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2021 Feb 20;12(1):1-14. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v12.i1.1. PMID: 33643719.

* Sturm A, Maaser C, Faubion WA Jr, Ma C. Diagnostic Algorithms for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Dig Dis. 2022;40(4):420-431. doi: 10.1159/000523824. Epub 2022 Apr 27. PMID: 35477218.

* Ng SC, Plamondon S, Al Bustami R, Subramaniam K, Al Dhaheri Y, Al Marzouqi F, Al Hashimi G, Awad C, Rashid K, Hamad AM. Clinical features of inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review of the literature. BMC Gastroenterol. 2023 Apr 26;23(1):153. doi: 10.1186/s12876-023-02759-4. PMID: 37101188.

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References