Pottery-colored, loose stools are mainly indicative of obstruction of the common bile duct, such as common bile duct stones, pancreatic cancer, and pancreatic head occupancy. Normal stools are mainly brownish-yellow in color because they contain fecal bilirubin. The appearance of clay-colored stools suggests that fecal bilirubin is not contained in the stools, usually due to obstruction of the common bile duct, such as choledocholithiasis or pancreatic cancer, pancreatic head occupation, contraction or compression of the duodenal sphincter of Oddi, and other conditions. Loose stools are unformed stools, which can also be caused by common bile duct stones or pancreatic cancer or pancreatic head occupancy. If you have clay-colored or loose stools, you should consult a doctor in time, complete the relevant examinations, and make a clear diagnosis under the guidance of a professional physician.