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What Causes Dark Black Stool After Taking Iron Supplement?
MY SPOUSE HAD COMPLETE KNEE REPLACEMENT ON DEC. 13, RELEASED THE FOLLOWING SAT. HE HAS BEEN PASSING DARK, BLACK STOOL FOR TWO FULL DAYS. HE IS TAKING A BLOOD THINNER, CUMANINE AND AN IRON SUPPLEMENT. HIS BLOOD LEVEL TODAY WAS 1.6 AND WAS A 3 THE LAST TIME IT WAS CHECKED ON DEC. 23RD. DO YOU THINK THIS COULD BE SERIOUS OR SHOULD I CONTACT HIS SURGEON TONIGHT.
Mon, 2 Jun 2014
Hi,
Welcome to HCM!
Please be relaxed as there is not need to worry. Iron supplements are generally safe for consumption, but may have unpleasant side effects. Iron tablets invariably affect stools.
Some level of color change in the stool is normal.
Iron supplements cause the stool to darken. Some people's stools will turn black. This is not a cause for alarm. According to studies, this is actually a desirable consequence of taking iron. If the stool does not turn black, your supplement may not be effectively getting absorbed. This often happens with coated tablets or supplements intended for long-term use.
Hope this information helps.
Feel free to ask if you have any doubt.
Wishing you spouse a speedy recovery.
With warm regards,
Dr. Sridhar Reddy
Welcome to HCM!
Please be relaxed as there is not need to worry. Iron supplements are generally safe for consumption, but may have unpleasant side effects. Iron tablets invariably affect stools.
Some level of color change in the stool is normal.
Iron supplements cause the stool to darken. Some people's stools will turn black. This is not a cause for alarm. According to studies, this is actually a desirable consequence of taking iron. If the stool does not turn black, your supplement may not be effectively getting absorbed. This often happens with coated tablets or supplements intended for long-term use.
Hope this information helps.
Feel free to ask if you have any doubt.
Wishing you spouse a speedy recovery.
With warm regards,
Dr. Sridhar Reddy
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