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What Causes White Specs In Stool?

Posted on Fri, 23 Oct 2015

Question: This question is for a Gastro doctor only please. I am 43 yr old female 5ft 5, & weighed 62.5 kilos until about a week ago. Today I am 64.5 kilos this morning. For a couple months prior I noticed stool with white specs in it. I had a stool test which was negative for parasites and blood. I then began having frequent/daily but very small round stool like rabbit stool but not dry. Not the normal consistency I have always had. Also it seemed that I would only pass 1 small round stool at a time. So I would have 2 motions daily but stool was very small and I felt that I never emptied anymore. This then progressed to hard dry small stool for a week or so, still only having 1 small round stool at a time. Now I have been constipated for 7-10 days with no bowel urge and have gone to toilet only by using herbal laxatives. I feel full/bloated and am gaining weight. I have tried a lot of things and yes drinker water has helped but stool is still coming out round ball shaped. Still constipated and not getting urge to go -anymore. No other symptoms. I have not changed my diet.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Chronic constipation/ Miralax/colon transit study

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

You are having chronic constipation probably constipation predominant type of IBS.
You have already tried fibers and not getting good relief.
The next step is to take osmotic laxatives.
You can take miralax for sofetening of stools and easy bowel movements.

I presume you are not on any medications including opioid medications or calcium supplements that can cause constipation.
Negative stool blood has ruled out any possible tumor causing obstruction and constipation.
You may have to check your blood glucose and thyroid to see if any of these is causing your symptoms.
You need to get a colon transit study done to find what type of constipation you have which will help in planning further treatment.

I hope that answers your question.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.R.K

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (23 minutes later)

I have had full blood count/liver/cholesterol/sugar/ and thyroid test all come back 100% within normal range. I have an appointment with a gastro in 1 month and I have indeed tried osmotic laxatives twice with some success. I am concerned as to how I will fair over the next month while I wait to see the gastro specialist. I am concerned that I am gaining weight too.

The only thing I should mention is that for 5 years I was subclinical hyperthyroid and my T4 was always between 17-19 (range 9-19)
Now my T4 is 14.5
My TSH is 0.72 (range .40-3.50)

I am just wondering if T4 coming down would have cause this at all? It seems to have happened around the same time. My thyroid panel was done on 23/7/2015 at about the same time I started experiencing constipation.
My GP says my thyroid is completely normal and that's not the cause. I have not been on any thyroid medication, I just experienced dramatic weight loss when my T4 was higher.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thyroid is within normal range

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Your thyroid is within normal range.
You sugar is also normal.
So diabetes and hypothyroidism may not be the cause for you constipation.

As advised earlier get a colon transit study done. This will help to know what type of constipation you have.

Since you got some relief with osmotic laxative, you can take that again till you meet your doctor. You can take Miralax.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar