Pale and irregular stools

[JaneDi]

I hope this is the right place for this question.

So, basically, I have been passing pale stools for the best part of a year from what I can remember.

Last year, in June, I put on 4 kilos in 2 weeks in the midriff area (where I have always been relatively flat) without any obvious lifestyle changes and they have more or less stuck with me since. I eat healthy enough and go to the loo once or twice a day (with the exception of last summer). Despite that, I do suffer from hemorroids every now and then, especially when I am stressed. They do cause irregular stools I am told. I still do not understand why they are pale, though. Their color is more or less like clay. I also suffer from bloating and gases, although no pain. And, if it is of any use, I have a B Thalassemia trait.

So recently, I mentioned all of this to my doctor when I visited her for my routine annual blood analysis. I am new to the area so I gave her a summary of my medical history plus mentioned the pale stool. The blood analysis came out all right (a little low in iron but all other values like GOT-AST, GPT ALT, BILIRUBIN,  T4, TSH, etc. were normal) and she did not give me any explanation for the stool colour.

I keep passing pale stools and feeling bloated o big around the waist. Could I be having a problem that does not show in a blood test?

[cnoevl21]

colonoscopy isnt that bad. the prep for it is the worst part. That will tell you the most, which is probably why he recommends it. I'm sure he wants to check for things like celiac, crohns, colitis, etc. ultrasound wont show any of those things.

[JaneDi]

Hi again

I followed your advice and called to ask for an appointmet with a private GI. I was given one this afternoon. So, once there, I gave him information on my medical history and the details of my condition as well as the results of my blood test. The GI asked me whether my GP had also asked for a Stool Analysis Test, which she hadn´t and she should have, he believes.

So, he recommends I start by having one. Depending on the results, he recommends a colonoscopy (given my hemorrhoids history and my actual symptoms). The ultrasound would be the third step for him as my blood test has come out fine. Still, I was a bit worried he wants me to have a colonoscopy before the ultrasound.  I would go for the less invasive procedure first.

I now have to work out whether to go back to my GP with the GI´s recommendations and ask her to refer me to a Social Security GI or  prescribe me herself these tests. The other option would be to change GP and do the same thing. And a third option would be to pay for all of it myself. Which is not something I can afford at the moment.

So, once again, thank you for the advice. At least now, I have a second opinion about what I should do next.

[cnoevl21]

I am not a doctor, so I'm not really sure what shows up in blood tests, and what doesn't.
For me, my blood tests showed fine, but it turns out I have a fatty liver (diagnosed through ultrasound, then mri).
Honestly, the fact that your GP didn't even do an ultrasound makes me really angry. that is just pure incompetence.
I don't know how health care works in your country, but waiting months to see a GI is terrible. What about an emergency room? There must be some way to get further tests run sooner than months?

[JaneDi]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I ´ll have to find a private GI because otherwise I would have to go back to my GP for a referral to one of the National Insurance. And I do not know whether she would refer me since she does not think anything is the matter with me, nor how long it would take in case she did. I have had to wait several weeks or even months to see a GI in previous cases and it was mildly to rather urgent.

On the other hand side, I wonder why in the case of gallstones or simillar, the values of the blood test would not be altered. Surely, there should be some kind of indication, shouldn´t there?