Oily Stools?

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

[Kevin Pho, MD]

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

[whittie]

I did have an ultrasound of the liver/pancreas region that came out fine.  

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?