Stool

[andyn81]

Hi

Apologies if this is a daft question but what is the definition of this? Also, do any of the usual bloods correlate with this?

Thanks in advance and apologies for the topic!

[AyrshireK]

Stool = poo = bowel movement.

[andyn81 in reply to AyrshireK]

Yes indeed….

[AyrshireK in reply to andyn81]

Have I answered your question?

[andyn81 in reply to AyrshireK]

Ah no - sorry I thought you were after clarity. I edited the title and removed 'pale'....my bad. Any thoughts now?

[AyrshireK in reply to andyn81]

Ah that makes more sense - pale stools.

Normal stools can vary in shades of brown, mostly due to your diet. Pale or light-colored stools, however, are not typical and may be a sign of an underlying health condition.

If your stools are pale or clay-colored, you may have a problem with the drainage of your biliary system, which includes your gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.

Your liver releases bile salts into your stools, giving the stools a brown color. If your liver is not producing enough bile, or if the flow of the bile is blocked and can’t drain from your liver, your stools may become pale or clay-colored.

Having occasional pale stools may not be a cause for concern. But if you persistently see pale stools, you may have a serious illness.

You should see a doctor whenever you have consistent pale or clay-colored stools to rule out illness and disease.

If pale stools are due to liver disease you'd expect to see changes in bilirubin levels in blood.

Problems with the liver or bile ducts can turn the stool pale.

There are two forms of bilirubin in the body. One type is passed in the urine or feces and the other type is bound to protein (albumin), which helps it stay in the blood vessels.

When a person has liver or biliary problems, bilirubin is unable to pass in the stool. This causes the stool to lose its color, giving it a more pale or clay-colored appearance.

Conversely, the body excretes excess bilirubin in the urine, giving it a darker or amber-colored appearance.

[andyn81 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you Katie - as always

I cannot claim they are that pale e.g.white or grey. Unfortunately I have also now been placed back on an SSRI which are well known for a degree of bowel upset.

Bilirubin was at the same level as always in tests a few weeks back - 9.

I even paid for a private GGT. Also an AST so I could calculate a FIB4 myself.