I Am Scheduled For A Colonoscopy For My 50 Year

Posted on Sun, 9 Jun 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 9 Jun 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I am scheduled for a colonoscopy for my 50 year old checkup. I have been having minor issues with my stomach and bowels for about a year. I have noticed in the past 6 weeks that most of my stool is brown and floats to the bottom of the toilet but noticed three times that I had a couple of stool that had a gray color on the top but not on the top.

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 minute later)

I meant gray stool on the top but not on the bottom.

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It's normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query,
Have seen your details,

Firstly the color of the stool in clinical diagnosis as such has no significance. All shades from dark brown to yellow to grey are normal unless the patient is symptomatic.
Sinking of stools is a good sign.Floating stools is suggestive of too much air trapped in stools.

However to be on safe side i would suggest you go for an ultrasound of liver to see any pathology related to hepatobiliary tract. A bilirubin test should also be done.

In short, unless he is symptomatic no need to worry.
Hope I was helpful,
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (15 hours later)

Thanks. I have not been symptomatic as far as jaundice, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, itching, vomiting, etc... I have had increased abdominal pain and gas. It is intermittent. Nothing new for me just more so in the past couple of months. I have been on a medication to assist with weight loss and I wonder if this may be causing some of the symptoms, Contrave. No history of Hep or Hep C. I have been doing a keto/low carb diet probably too high on the protein, meat. I did have one bout of stabbing pain where the gallbladder is located as well. I will schedule an appt with my PCP. Thanks.

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 minute later)

I meant no history of Hep B or C, fatty liver nor do I struggle with alcohol issues.

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again my dear patient,
Very likely the gas is because of the high protein diet you are on.Protein is really difficult to digest.Try to add some Digestive enzyme supplements to it.
Rest I don't think you need to worry about minor changes in color of stools.
Hope I was helpful.
Please feel free to follow up.
Do rate the answer.
Wish you good luck dear.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj