Yellow stools, sign of a bigger problem?

[BMR777]

Hi Everyone,

I've been gluten free for almost three years now and since going gluten free I have had a lot of improvements, but still have some symptoms that won't go away, mainly yellow stools that also sometimes have air bubbles.  I also have mild stomach pain occasionally.  But by far the biggest problem is my dry eyes, which started before I was diagnosed but have not resolved after going gluten free.

I've brought up the yellow stool to numerous doctors and none of them seem concerned at all, but I know yellow isn't normal.  They are well formed, just yellow.  I'm trying to narrow down if this is due to celiac or something else.  I suspect that if I can fix the source of the yellow stool my dry eye problem will improve as well.

I've also had my gallbladder removed so I'm wondering if that could be a cause as well.  I've tried bile salts in the past with no noticeable change in symptoms or stool.

Are there any tests I can have done to help me determine the cause?  I've had my celiac blood panel re-run a couple of times and other than before diagnosis each test has come back normal, no sign of celiac disease.  I've also had all of my vitamin levels checked in the past.  I was low in a B-Vitamin but even after taking that vitamin and getting my number up there has been no change.

I've been following the strict gluten free diet and I would say that it has been a while since I've had what I would think is a glutening, probably over a year now.

Really looking for some help as to what could be causing the yellow stool and if it's a sign of something bigger that could be connected to my dry eye.  Thanks!

[cyclinglady]

I am not a doctor, but I do know that you can develop more than one autoimmune disorder.  Please see your doctor.  Dry eyes can be a sign of Sjögren’s syndrome (a close friend has this):

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sjogrens-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353216

I had my gallbladder removed because it was non-functioning and actually infected.  It is a family curse.  I have been fine, but other relatives have had bile duct issues (which can cause yellow stools).  Of course,  you are also at risk for autoimmune hepatitis.    Please see a GI!