Stool Colour

Why test for Stool Examination at Symbion VIP Diagnostics Ahmedabad ?

What Does My Stool Color Mean?
Stool colors reflect how fast the stool passed through the intestines, what foods and nutrients were recently consumed and the overall general health of the digestive system. Learn more about the various stool colors and what they mean.

Light to Dark Brown Stool
The medically desired color of poop should mimic a bar of milk chocolate. Bowel movements achieve this color through a rather complicated process. In simple terms: a pigment called bilirubin is created when a protein called hemoglobin breaks down in the liver. From there, the bilirubin enters the intestines, and if a healthy digestive system allows it to travel through the intestines at a normal speed, it achieves the typical brown color we associate with poop.

Green Stool
Having green poop is more common than one might think! Bile, which is created in the liver and stored in the gallbladder, is naturally green. Bile is also present alongside stool in the intestines, and if the poop moves through the intestines too fast, the bilirubin and iron do not have enough time to mix and process. Long story short, if your poop is green, it moved through your intestines too fast to complete the process of turning brown.

Black Stool
Black stool usually means there is an excess of dried blood present in the poop. Usually, this is not a good sign. It means there was internal bleeding somewhere in the intestinal tract -- far enough away from the rectum that this blood had time to dry. If this is a consistent color of poop for you, reach out to your provider. 

Yellow-Colored Stool
Poop can be a yellow color when fat is not being absorbed from the poop. Fat absorption can be disrupted by various sources such as a parasite, illness causing inflammation in the pancreas or congenital disease. Yellow poop is usually a sign of a medical problem that needs attention sooner rather than later. If your yellow stool is present for more than two days, contact your family medicine doctor!

Clay-colored stool or pale poop can sometimes be confused for yellow poop. The difference will usually be subtle but noticeable when looking carefully. Clay-colored or pale stool will have more of a gray tint and be less slimy.

White Stool or Clay-Colored Stool
This type of poop can be described in many ways, including pale, clay-colored or even white. This white poop is present when the liver does not release enough bile salts into the stool in your intestines. This may occur due to bile duct blockages, gallstones or liver problems. Clay-colored or pale gray stool is usually a sign of a more serious problem. If your stool remains consistently pale or clay colored for two days, contact your provider.

Blue Stool
Blue poop is uncommon, but it does happen! Some forms of edible blue dye, when consumed in large amounts, are known to cause poop to turn blue, especially if they pass quickly through the digestive tract. As long as blue poop is genuinely blue (not blue-green), it is not cause for concern.

Red  Stool
Bright red poop is usually a sign of bleeding in the lower intestine. The cause of this bleeding is usually hemorrhoids. 

The laboratory test results are NOT to be interpreted as results of a "stand-alone" test. The test results have to be interpreted after correlating with suitable clinical findings and additional supplemental tests/information. Your healthcare providers will explain the meaning of your tests results, based on the overall clinical scenario. For further information about these lab tests contact Symbion VIP Diagnostics pathology lab Ahmedabad at 09429410291