Occasional changes in stool color can happen due to food intake, but persistent changes in the color of your stool could indicate an underlying health issue. While the usual color of stool is brown, due to the presence of a yellow-brown pigment called bilirubin, pale or clay-colored stool (known as acholic stool) often signals a problem with the liver or biliary system.

What Does Pale Poop Look and Feel Like?

Pale poop is noticeably lighter than your usual brown stool. It may appear gray, clay-colored, or white. This discoloration typically results from a lack of bile pigment in the stool. Bile, which helps break down fat, is what gives stool its characteristic brown color. When bile production or flow is disrupted, stool may appear pale or light-colored.

Accompanying symptoms of pale stool may include:

  • Changes in urine color

  • Diarrhea

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

  • Abdominal pain

  • Fever

  • Muscle weakness

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Itchy skin

  • Swelling in the legs

  • Unexplained weight loss

Common Causes of Pale Poop

Pale stool often indicates issues with the liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts, which are involved in the production and regulation of bile.

Biliary Obstruction

Biliary obstruction occurs when there is a blockage in the bile ducts, which carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. This obstruction prevents bile from flowing properly, causing symptoms like jaundice and pale stool.

Bile Acid Synthesis Disorders (BASDs)

BASDs are rare metabolic conditions that disrupt the production of bile acids, leading to issues such as steatorrhea (fatty stools) and diarrhea. These conditions can result in liver scarring and neurological complications.

Gallstones

Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, usually made of cholesterol or bilirubin. These stones can block the bile ducts, impairing the flow of bile and causing pale stool. Gallstones can range in size from a grain of sand to a large golf ball, and their formation is often linked to excess cholesterol and bilirubin.

Bile Duct Cysts

Bile duct cysts are fluid-filled pockets that form in the bile ducts and can obstruct bile flow, leading to pale stool. They may also increase the risk of developing biliary tract cancers.

Liver Diseases

Liver diseases can impair bile production, resulting in pale stool. Conditions like alcoholic hepatitis, viral hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis are all associated with pale stool. In these cases, the liver’s ability to produce bile is compromised, leading to light-colored stools.

Other Factors That Can Cause Pale Poop

Certain medications and tumors affecting the liver or biliary system can also disrupt bile production or flow, causing pale stool.

Medications

Some medications, such as statins, antibiotics, NSAIDs, and certain herbal supplements, can cause liver damage or affect bile flow, resulting in pale stool. If you notice changes in stool color after starting a new medication, consult your healthcare provider.

Tumors

Tumors affecting the liver, bile ducts, or pancreas can block bile flow and lead to pale stool. Other symptoms of bile duct tumors or liver cancer include dark urine, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

If your stool has been pale for more than a couple of days, or if you experience other concerning symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, fever, or dark urine, it’s important to seek medical care. A healthcare provider will likely conduct tests such as blood tests, imaging studies, and ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) to diagnose the cause of your pale stool.

Treatment Options for Pale Poop

Once the underlying cause of your pale stool is identified, treatment can begin. Treatment options vary based on the specific condition:

Medications

For conditions like viral hepatitis or bile acid synthesis disorders, antiviral medications or bile acid medications may be prescribed. If certain medications are causing pale stool, your healthcare provider may recommend alternative treatments.

Medical Procedures and Surgeries

In some cases, surgical interventions may be necessary. For example, gallstones or bile duct blockages may require surgery or procedures like shock wave lithotripsy to break up the stones. Severe liver disease may require a liver transplant.

Lifestyle Changes

If the cause of your pale stool is related to liver disease, lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake, eating a balanced diet, and managing your weight may help improve liver function and restore normal stool color.

How to Prevent Pale Poop

While some causes of pale stool are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

  • Increase intake of vitamins A and B to support liver and immune function

  • Practice safe sex to prevent hepatitis transmission

  • Limit alcohol consumption to reduce the risk of liver damage

  • Quit smoking and maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the liver

  • Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fiber, fruits, and vegetables

A Quick Review

Pale poop, or acholic stool, often signals an issue with the liver, bile ducts, or gallbladder. This condition can occur due to a variety of causes, including liver disease, biliary obstruction, gallstones, and bile acid synthesis disorders. If your pale stool persists for several days or is accompanied by other symptoms like jaundice or abdominal pain, seek medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the underlying condition and prevent further complications.