Symptoms of Liver Damage

6. Changes in the stool

Light or clay-colored stools often occur with jaundice. Dark-colored urine may also be present. When the liver no longer removes bilirubin effectively, it is no longer carried into the intestines by bile, so the stool no longer gets its typical dark brown color. People with liver disease may also experience constipation and diarrhea. Liver damage can cause clotting issues, too. If bleeding occurs in the esophagus, stomach, or upper GI tract, stool may look black and tarry if digested blood is present. Red blood in stool indicates bleeding lower in the GI tract.