White Poop: Causes, Symptoms & When to Worry

White poop can occur when bile does not properly reach the intestines, changing the normal brown color of stool. This may be linked to conditions such as gallstones, hepatitis, bile duct disease, or certain medications.

In some cases, white poop is temporary and not a sign of serious illness. However, when it appears with symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, itching, or dark urine, it may indicate a problem affecting the liver or biliary system.

White poop can also occur in newborns due to conditions such as biliary atresia or bile duct cysts, which require urgent evaluation. Diagnosis often involves blood tests and imaging studies, and treatment depends on the underlying cause, ranging from medication changes to surgery.

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Why is my poop white?

White poop can occur for the following reasons: 

1. Gallstones

Gallstones that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts can grow large enough to cause a blockage. This blockage prevents bile from reaching the intestines, which can result in pale or clay-colored stools and other symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), generalized itching, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine. 

What to do: Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or a gastroenterologist to check for gallstones. If they’re found, surgery is usually recommended to remove the stones and avoid further problems.

2. Medication use 

Medication-induced hepatitis occurs when certain drugs overwork or damage the liver, impairing its ability to produce bile normally. Reduced bile production can change the color of your stool, making it appear lighter.

Antibiotics are the most common medications associated with this side effect, though not everyone experiences it. Other substances that may cause pale or white stools include dietary supplements, homeopathic remedies, anticonvulsants, antihypertensives, and pain relievers (analgesics).

This type of hepatitis is not always easy to identify based on symptoms, but some people may additionally notice dark urine, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice, which can occur 5 days to 3 months after starting the medication.  

What to do: Let your prescriber know if you’re having symptoms from your medication. They may decide to stop it or prescribe a different one.

3. Viral hepatitis 

Viral hepatitis, including types A, B, C, D, and E, is a relatively common infection that can lead to pale (white) stools, jaundice, and dark urine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hepatitis A may cause dark urine and clay-colored stools, along with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, and jaundice.

Other possible symptoms of viral hepatitis include fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, joint pain, and skin rashes.

What to do: You should see your primary care provider or a gastroenterologist to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment if needed.

Treatment depends on the type of hepatitis and may include simple measures such as staying hydrated and taking medication for fever or pain. In some cases, a provider may also prescribe specific antiviral medications to treat the infection.

4. Post-op complications 

Certain surgeries involving the bile ducts, such as gallbladder removal, can sometimes lead to bile flow obstruction. This complication may cause pale or white stools, along with other symptoms like jaundice and severe itching.

What to do: You should see your surgeon as soon as possible to evaluate your symptoms and begin appropriate treatment, which may include another surgery to repair the bile ducts.

5. Biliary duct tumors

Although less common, tumors in the bile ducts, gallbladder, or nearby areas can also lead to changes in stool color. These tumors often cause no symptoms in the early stages, but signs may develop over time.

In addition to pale or white stools, symptoms can include abdominal pain, jaundice, itching, weight loss, and general fatigue or discomfort.

What to do: If you think you might have a tumor, make an appointment with your family doctor or a gastroenterologist for a full evaluation. They can order the necessary tests to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. Treatment will depend on the type of tumor but often involves surgical removal.

6. Biliary atresia

Biliary atresia is a major cause of white stools in infants, particularly newborns. It occurs when parts of the bile ducts become blocked due to inflammation and scarring (fibrosis).

Affected babies typically develop symptoms within 2 to 5 weeks after birth, including pale or white stools and ongoing jaundice. Based on American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidance, stool color (along with eye color and bilirubin results) should be checked during the 2-4 week well-child window to help identify biliary atresia early.

What to do: The child should see a pediatrician as soon as possible, since early diagnosis and treatment can restore normal bile flow more quickly and with fewer complications than if left untreated.

7. Bile duct cyst

A cyst in the bile ducts is another important cause of white stools in infants. It occurs when the biliary ducts that carry bile become dilated, usually after birth. Most affected infants show signs of abnormal bile drainage, such as jaundice, pale (white) stools, and abdominal swelling.

What to do: The child should be evaluated by a pediatrician or pediatric gastroenterologist, who can order the necessary tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests may include imaging studies, such as an abdominal ultrasound. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the cysts.

Diagnostic tests

The tests used to confirm or rule out the cause of white stools can vary depending on the underlying condition. However, doctors typically begin with the following:

• Blood tests to assess liver enzymes (hepatic enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase) and bilirubin levels;
• Blood tests to check for hepatitis-related antigens and antibodies;
• Abdominal ultrasound to visualize the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.

Depending on the results, the provider may recommend additional tests, such as a CT scan, MRI, or endoscopy. In some cases, a liver biopsy may be needed to determine the extent of liver damage or confirm the diagnosis.