I am getting blood in stool after I started taking iron tablets. What is my problem?
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I took iron tablets after 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 have seen drops of blood prior to stool. If I eat spicy items, I get stomach pain in the upper part of the stomach.
Please guide.
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, as they have a significant false positive rate. Means it is not necessary that a person has bleeding in the gut when the stool for occult blood comes positive.
Unless you have grossly apparent 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 a 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.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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