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What Causes Black Colored Stool?

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Posted on Fri, 7 Aug 2015
Question: My stool looks very dark and almost black I'm concerned this could be some sort of bleeding.. But I'm not sure if it's really black or if it is fine in color.. I did go in about a month ago for puking blood and they found nothing wrong and did a cat scan.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Your stool is fine.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

Thank you for the query.

Your stool is not black. Its dark green color. This is normal and should not be the reason to concern. In case of stomach bleeding, the stool is black like a tar. And it smells like an iron.

I suggest you to start probiotic intake. It should improve the stool color and digestion.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (3 minutes later)
I have just gotten off of an antibiotic would that have anything to do with this.. It really looked so dark, thank you very much.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, antibiotic intake can be the reason.

Detailed Answer:
Yes, antibiotic has a great impact to digestive tract and very often results with stool color just like yours. It is because antibiotic kills good intestinal bacteria. This bacteria digest yellow bile to brown stercobilinogen. When there is no good bacteria, bile is only partially digested and stool color appears as a green (or dark green).

Probiotic should really solve your problem.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5796 Questions

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What Causes Black Colored Stool?

Brief Answer: Your stool is fine. Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for the query. Your stool is not black. Its dark green color. This is normal and should not be the reason to concern. In case of stomach bleeding, the stool is black like a tar. And it smells like an iron. I suggest you to start probiotic intake. It should improve the stool color and digestion. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.