Dr. Ajeet Kumar
Medical Gastroenterology
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I took iron tablets post that I was getting blood in the stool. I was getting black stool now the stool color has changed but for the past two to three days I see drops of blood prior to stool. If I eat spicy items, I am getting stomach pain on the upper part of the stomach.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Well, it is not uncommon to have black stools when someone takes iron tablets. So do not worry about it. It will stop itself once you stop the iron tablets.
Secondly, your occult blood positive 10 days back and Hb 12.4 mg/dL does not suggest that you have bleeding in the gut. Occult blood tests have different implications with test have a significant false positive rate. Means it is not necessary that person has bleeding in the gut when the stool for occult blood comes positive.
Unless you have grossly appearent blood in the stool, like fresh red or maroonish color blood or clotted red blood then it is something to be concerned about and investigated properly particularly with colonoscopy.
So to simplify, you do not seem to have bleeding in the gut, but if you could provide me more information particularly the reason why did you do a stool for occult blood testing I will be in a better position to tell you whether you need any further testing or not at all.
I hope this helps.
The Probable causes
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Medical Gastroenterology
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