Doctor Describes what Clay Colored Stools Look Like

Do you keep seeing “clay colored” as a descriptor of stools on medical sites and wonder exactly what this refers to?

There’s a lot of misinterpretation as to what “clay colored” refers to, even though “clay colored stools” is commonly listed as a symptom for disease, including liver problems.

Definition of Clay Colored Stools

“Clay colored indicates light grey, not the dark color of a clay pot,” says Akram Alashari, MD, a trauma surgeon at Geisinger Medical Center in PA, and author of “THE POWER OF PEAK STATE.”

When we think of clay, what we envision will vary from one person to the next.

The flower pots that we see outside that contain flowers are made of clay.

What color are they? They are a dull orange, or even what could be described as a dull salmon, or a salmon-tan combination.

Fresh moist clay that you dig up in the ground appears to be a combination of tan/brown and grey, similar to the moist clay that a sculptor works with.

And this hue is not light; it’s more of a medium range.

So when a reputable medical site lists “clay colored” as a description for bowel movements, this actually refers to a light grey appearance.

This is what “clay colored” stools look like.

In addition to alcoholic liver disease, here are other causes of this light grey appearance, in no particular order:

1     Biliary cirrhosis. This form of liver cirrhosis results from damage and scarring of the liver caused by a problem with the bile ducts.

2     Benign or malignant tumors of the liver, biliary system or pancreas. Tumors can obstruct the bile ducts.

Bile, produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, gives BMs their normal brown color.

If a tumor blocks the bile ducts, bile can’t reach the intestines, leading to pale or grey stools.

3     Bile duct cysts. These are fluid-filled sacs that form in the bile ducts.

4     Narrowing of the bile ducts.These ducts become constricted, limiting or blocking the flow of bile into the small intestine. 

5     Congenital structural problems with the biliary system.

6     Medications. Drugs like Maalox or Mylanta, which contain aluminum hydroxide, can sometimes lead to grey or clay color stools. So can Pepto-Bismol and some antibiotics. 

7     Iron supplements. Iron oxide can discolor bowel movements.

8     Gallstones. The stones influence bile production and flow, which can turn bowel movements a clay color.

Dr. Alashari was formerly with Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in SC as an abdominal and critical care surgeon. 

Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.