Re: Color of Stones

You mentioned that you passed a black stone that contained bright green flecks. You mentioned that the stone was smooth and oval and the size of a pullet egg and was centered between yellowish and orangish floating stool.

Very black stools are called may be caused by a variety of things but most of them are only relevant if the stools are a regular occurrence. A one-of event although disconcerting isn’t necessarily something to worry about. Eating black liquorice, lead, iron pills, Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries can all cause black stools.

Orange stools may be due to certain medications. Beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A) may cause orange stools as a side effect so check any sources of vitamins or supplements, as well as intake of foods high in beta-carotene (carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.). Another possibility is if the stool is more pale-orange, it might indicate lack of bile salt (which gives stool a brownish colour). Other sources are antacids containing aluminium hydroxide.

Stool starts out green and then turns bright yellow as it goes through the digestive tract. It is bile and bacteria that finally turn it brown. Yellow or green stools can indicate stool is passing through the digestive tract too rapidly not giving it a chance to change colour. Bright yellow stools can also indicate not enough bile or a biliary obstruction.

My opinion: is that the black stone formation probably came from the gall bladder or liver the main giveaway being the green flecks. It is either a true stone or highly compacted debris formed in the gut (It is difficult to say without seeing it). The debris, sludge or stone restricted the flow of bile as it came out and this caused the surrounding stools to be deficient in bile salts and take on an orange colour.

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