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What Does Pale Stool Signify?

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Posted on Mon, 19 Jun 2017
Question: My stools are often pale to light brown and usually sink to the bottom of the toilet bowl, is this a problem ?
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Answered by Dr. Sunil (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Sinking to bottom is a good sign.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
Have gone through your details and i appreciate your concern.
Pale or clay-colored stools are not normal. If your stools are pale or clay-colored, there may be a problem with the drainage of your biliary system, which is comprised of your gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color.Problem in anything from secretion to transportation to breakdown of bile can cause pale or light brown color of stool.

If your food has been digested properly, your stool should sink to the bottom of the toilet.Stool that floats can be a sign of an intestinal infection or a change in your diet that introduces more gas into your digestive system, such as a high-fiber or high-fat diet.So sinking of stool is a good sign.

I would suggest you to go for a ultrasound abdomen to rule out any hepatobilliary system pathology along with stool test for bile salts.If these tests are normal there is no need to worry.

Hope i answered your query well.
Kind regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Sunil

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1982

Answered : 351 Questions

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What Does Pale Stool Signify?

Brief Answer: Sinking to bottom is a good sign. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query. Have gone through your details and i appreciate your concern. Pale or clay-colored stools are not normal. If your stools are pale or clay-colored, there may be a problem with the drainage of your biliary system, which is comprised of your gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color.Problem in anything from secretion to transportation to breakdown of bile can cause pale or light brown color of stool. If your food has been digested properly, your stool should sink to the bottom of the toilet.Stool that floats can be a sign of an intestinal infection or a change in your diet that introduces more gas into your digestive system, such as a high-fiber or high-fat diet.So sinking of stool is a good sign. I would suggest you to go for a ultrasound abdomen to rule out any hepatobilliary system pathology along with stool test for bile salts.If these tests are normal there is no need to worry. Hope i answered your query well. Kind regards.