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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Oily Stools?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D.
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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Oily Stools?
by whittie, May 10, 2004 12:00AM
This is a question I am way to embarrassed to ask my own physician about face to face. On occasion, I have bouts of Oily Stools. It leaves oil slicks around the water in the bowl. Does it always mean that you have pancreatitis? Couldn’t it be some other benign reason? It occurs about once a month I guess and only started in April. I have absolutely no other symptoms really. I feel perfectly fine. I suspect it has something to do with me eating a higher than usual fatty diet the day before as this is always the case. I did tell my doctor about it once but he did not seem concerned because the stools are always formed. Any insight?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, May 10, 2004 12:00AM
, May 10, 2004 12:00AM
Possible causes can include chronic pancreatitis as well as malabsorption. Tests to evaluate this would be sending the stool off for fecal fat tests. Another test for malabsorption would be a blood test looking for celiac disease.
Pancreatitis can be evaluated via blood pancreatic enzymes - such as amylase and lipase. Imaging studies can also be used to evaluate for pancreatic calcifications (suggestive of chronic pancreatitis).
If negative, I would consider a colonoscopy for further evaluation.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Pancreatitis can be evaluated via blood pancreatic enzymes - such as amylase and lipase. Imaging studies can also be used to evaluate for pancreatic calcifications (suggestive of chronic pancreatitis).
If negative, I would consider a colonoscopy for further evaluation.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
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Do you think this could possibly be from the high doses of Fish Oil I have been taking. I mean, the oil has to come out somehow right?