Pale stool but not jaundiced/no cirrhosis - British Liver Trust

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Pale stool but not jaundiced/no cirrhosis

youngandworried profile image
13 Replies

Hi there,

I've been diagnosed with a fatty liver via bloods (high ALT) and an ultrasound (Fatty infiltration). Had a fibroscan which showed 12kpa but waiting for my biopsy result as the hepatologist thought this was an overestimation. My bloods are normal for synthetic liver function, only my ALT is raised, so no jaundice on bloods.

Over the last few weeks I've been intermittently getting paler stools. Not white as such. But sometimes very light brown. Sometimes a clay/grey sort of colour. I've asked my doctor about this but they've said it must be non-liver related as this would only happen with advanced cirrhosis and jaundice. But I can't find any other explanation online.

Has anyone else had a change in stool colour with liver disease less than cirrhosis and no jaundice?

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youngandworried profile image
youngandworried
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13 Replies
mayk19 profile image
mayk19

HI there, tagging along as i've had this now for 8-9months. However, I have mild fatty liver (ultrasound), but no other issues 3.0kpa, all other bloods fine. 10 months massive reduction in drinking with last month no drinking and still have the lighter stools issue - so interested to see what's said to you about this question.

Laura009 profile image
Laura009

It is a symptom of your liver condition

youngandworried profile image
youngandworried in reply toLaura009

Hi Laura,

All the doctors I've spoken to have told me that pale stools only occur in people with advanced cirrhosis and raised bilirubin on bloods, I have neither

Laura009 profile image
Laura009 in reply toyoungandworried

So what did the docs say when you pointed that out to them?

You say its only intermittent so could it be something you eat intermittently?

youngandworried profile image
youngandworried in reply toLaura009

They said that they aren't sure what's causing it only that it can't be liver related

Laura009 profile image
Laura009 in reply toyoungandworried

Ok so ask them for a sample poo pot. Send a sample for them to ANALyse, ask for a camera up your bum scan, more blood tests and see if they can get to the bottom of your issue.

TT-2018 profile image
TT-2018 in reply toLaura009

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

in reply toyoungandworried

If it helps ive had pale stools many times and my liver is fine!

Laura009 profile image
Laura009

It is a symptom of your liver condition

TT-2018 profile image
TT-2018

Maybe this might help, it is used by the NHS:-

suttonccg.nhs.uk/vanguard/R...

Amethyst91 profile image
Amethyst91

Honestly I have the same issues and 100% feels lots liver related but am constantly told the same thing by at four different docs. 5 yrs ago I even had the poo tests and the colonoscopy that still have no answers. I even went to a major transplant hospital in my area hoping that they would really listen to me but since my kpa was only 3.8 they just dismissed everything. I am going to another transplant hospital to see the doc that treated my moms liver condition to see what he says but sadly I’m sure I’ll be told the same thing and just dismissed again. My concern is I’ve made crazy life changes in the last 6 months and my fibroscan still showed 246 cap score and to me I feel like the fat has gone no where and they even tried to tell me that first stage steatosis is no big deal.

Laura009 profile image
Laura009

Only continuation of a low fat, diet with minimal salt and sugar intake and no alcohol will get rid of the fat in your liver. Plenty of exercise and weight loss til you are within the correct range for your height is necessary too. Other than that there really can't be anything wrong with you to worry about . Be thankful for that 😊

Yarkis profile image
Yarkis

The science behind liver related pale stools stems from a lack of bile salts. Either due to lack of bile created by your liver, or the specific salts stores in your gallbladder. If your not producing enough bile in general, that might cause it. Something may up with the function of your gallbladder like an infection, inflammation, or gallstone. Though I could see pale stools being miss-self diagnosed. What you eat/drink plays a role in poop color and consistency. I'd imagine a Dr could check for bile salts in your stool rather easily, but I'm not sure to be honest. Hope that helps :)

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