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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pale White Stool?

Hi, I have a question. My stool today was a very pale white, but I only have had it once. But this weekend I ate so much meat, specifically beef (at least 5 burgers)... Do you think it s just my body trying to get rid of this meat? I typically never eat meat. But my family and I were on a trip and they insisted on cheap meals every day.
Sat, 24 Oct 2015
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
The normal color of stool is due to presence of pigments and these pigments are secreted by the liver and biliary tree.
Any obstruction to the biliary tract obstructs the flow of pigments into the gastrointestinal tract and thus there is no pigment in stools.
Eating of meat will not lead to pale stools.
As you have mentioned that you have been eating cheap meals.
Cheap meals could be unhygienic and could have infected the liver.
Liver inflammation can lead to hepatitis and thus abnormalities in excretion of pigments in stool and urine.
Thus, I suggest you to consult your primary healthcare provider for clinical assessment and prescription of certain investigations like liver function tests to assess the liver functions.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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What Causes Pale White Stool?

Hello and welcome to HCM, The normal color of stool is due to presence of pigments and these pigments are secreted by the liver and biliary tree. Any obstruction to the biliary tract obstructs the flow of pigments into the gastrointestinal tract and thus there is no pigment in stools. Eating of meat will not lead to pale stools. As you have mentioned that you have been eating cheap meals. Cheap meals could be unhygienic and could have infected the liver. Liver inflammation can lead to hepatitis and thus abnormalities in excretion of pigments in stool and urine. Thus, I suggest you to consult your primary healthcare provider for clinical assessment and prescription of certain investigations like liver function tests to assess the liver functions. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri