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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes The Change In Bowel Color?

Lately my poop has been grayish in color. Last week I had a case of diarrhea that was for one day then after I was pooping normally again only the color was gray. This weekend when i pooped in the morning it was brown again but when I had another bowel movement the same day it had a gray color to it. Don't know what that is?
Fri, 21 Jul 2017
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood your concerns:
Diarrhea followed by gray colored stools alternating with brown color may not be the cause of concerns unless proved by the investigations:
I would advise you the following in such a situation:
Get the stool tests done particularly for stercobilinogen.
Full liver functions and to be repeated after a few days.
Ultrasonography of the abdomen to start with, Contrast enhanced CT scan of the whole abdomen and MRCP if indicated to see if there is a cause for development of obstructive jaundice.
If such a thing is identifies, further tests of ERCP that is endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticography should be done for diagnosis and treatment too.
May need Cholecystectomy too.
If all the tests are normal, there is nothing to worry about such color changes in the stool.
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What Causes The Change In Bowel Color?

Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history and understood your concerns: Diarrhea followed by gray colored stools alternating with brown color may not be the cause of concerns unless proved by the investigations: I would advise you the following in such a situation: Get the stool tests done particularly for stercobilinogen. Full liver functions and to be repeated after a few days. Ultrasonography of the abdomen to start with, Contrast enhanced CT scan of the whole abdomen and MRCP if indicated to see if there is a cause for development of obstructive jaundice. If such a thing is identifies, further tests of ERCP that is endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticography should be done for diagnosis and treatment too. May need Cholecystectomy too. If all the tests are normal, there is nothing to worry about such color changes in the stool.