Can Black Diarrhea Be Brought On By Iron Supplements?

Iron supplements, also known as iron pills, are commonly used to treat or prevent iron deficiency anemia. They can cause side effects like constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dark stools, stomach cramps, and a metallic taste. Iron overload (also known as “iron poisoning”) is possible if taken in excess. Other iron supplement side effects include a metallic taste in your mouth and dark green or black stool. Taking more iron than recommended can lead to stomach ulcers, organ failure, or even death in severe cases.

If you’re taking iron supplements and have black poop without blood, it typically isn’t a cause for concern. However, if your stools are both black and have red streaks, or if they look tarry, that’s cause to reach out to your doctor. Iron supplements can cause stomach irritation, leading to diarrhea. Taking iron after or during a meal can help avoid this problem. Additionally, taking the supplement with Vitamin C can help improve iron.

When you have iron-deficiency anemia, low iron leads to a lack of red blood cells to carry oxygen to various parts of your body. Sometimes, a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder causes this type of anemia. Iron supplements may cause stomach problems, such as heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids and eat fruits, vegetables, and fiber each day.

Iron pills may change the color of your stool to a greenish or grayish black, which is normal. However, red stools would not be caused by therapeutic iron supplements. If the water is black, it’s a harmless side effect. Iron deficiency can’t be corrected, so it’s crucial to consult a doctor or call 111 immediately if your stools are black, tarry looking, or have blood in or on them.

Can too much iron cause black diarrhea?

Black stools are normal when taking iron tablets. Talk to your provider right away if:

• The stools are tarry looking as well as black
• If they have red streaks
• Cramps, sharp pains, or soreness in the stomach occur

• Try mixing the iron with water or other liquids (such as fruit juice or tomato juice) and drinking the medicine with a straw.
• Iron stains can be removed by brushing your teeth with baking soda or peroxide.

Keep tablets should in a cool place. (Bathroom medicine cabinets may be too warm and humid, which may cause the pills to fall apart.)

Does black poop mean low iron?

A person’s poop may be black due to eating certain foods, such as licorice, or taking iron supplements. Black, tarry stools are usually a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding.

A variety of foods and medications can make a person’s stool black. These can include:

• Blueberries
• black licorice
• blood sausage
• iron tablets
• the indigestion medication bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

If a person has recently consumed any of these and their stool is black, there is likely no cause for concern.

How to know if iron supplements are working?

Some signs that iron pills are working for iron deficiency anemia include increased energy, less weakness, and less shortness of breath or dizziness.

However, since iron deficiency anemia does not always cause symptoms, people may not display any clear signs that iron pills are or are not working. The best way to be sure is by getting a blood test.

Doctors can monitor iron supplementation to check if it is working. They can also help a person minimize any side effects, and determine the underlying cause of the anemia.

How to know if iron pills are working?

Some signs that iron pills are working for iron deficiency anemia include increased energy, less weakness, and less shortness of breath or dizziness.

However, since iron deficiency anemia does not always cause symptoms, people may not display any clear signs that iron pills are or are not working. The best way to be sure is by getting a blood test.

Doctors can monitor iron supplementation to check if it is working. They can also help a person minimize any side effects, and determine the underlying cause of the anemia.

Why is my iron supplement giving me diarrhea?

Iron supplementation and fortification could induce diarrhea by causing intestinal damage through oxidative stress (13–16) or by initiating bacterial dysibiosis and gut inflammation (17–20).

Background. The impact of iron supplements and iron fortification on diarrhea in children is controversial, with some studies reporting an increase and others reporting no effect.

Objective. The aim of the study was systematically assess the published literature on oral iron supplementation and fortification to evaluate its impact on diarrhea incidence among children aged 4–59 mo.

Methods. Randomized controlled trials of oral iron supplementation or iron fortification that reported diarrheal outcomes in children aged 4–59 mo were identified from a systematic search of 5 databases.

Why is my diarrhea black?

Black or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the stomach, small intestine, or right side of the colon. The term melena is used to describe this finding.

Black or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the stomach, small intestine, or right side of the colon.

Eating black licorice, blueberries, blood sausage or taking iron pills, activated charcoal, or medicines that contain bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol), can also cause black stools. Beets and foods with red coloring can sometimes make stools appear reddish. In all these cases, your doctor can test the stool with a chemical to rule out the presence of blood.

Bleeding in the esophagus or stomach (such as with peptic ulcer disease) can also cause you to vomit blood.

Does iron infusion cause black stool?

Does iron infusion cause black stool?. Iron infusion causes black stool in only a small number of cases. You may use anti-diarrhea medication to stop any unintended effects on your digestive system. Because iron can cause some unwanted side effects, it’s important to find out everything you need to know before going through with an infusion. Black stools don’t mean there is anything wrong following an iron infusion. It can be a common side effect, especially for those with medical conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

How long after IV iron infusion will I feel better?. A few days. Most people experience increased energy levels within days to weeks of their infusion, but it’s important to be aware that these treatments won’t immediately cure anemia symptoms—they’re designed to treat anemia over time. You may need regular infusions before reevaluating whether additional treatments are necessary. And although some patients report nausea or lightheadedness as side effects during or after treatment, most do not feel anything beyond slight warmth at their site during injection.

How many IV iron infusions do you need?. The number of infusions necessary for iron deficiency anemia will vary by patient. If it takes just one infusion to restore iron levels and resolve symptoms, that’s great news. But some people need two or more treatments before they experience relief. For those patients with severe anemia, who feel tired all day long or are completely exhausted after light physical activity like climbing a flight of stairs, multiple infusions may be needed to get their blood count back up to normal levels.

Why is my poop black and watery?

Black or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the stomach, small intestine, or right side of the colon. The term melena is used to describe this finding.

Black or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the stomach, small intestine, or right side of the colon.

Eating black licorice, blueberries, blood sausage or taking iron pills, activated charcoal, or medicines that contain bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol), can also cause black stools. Beets and foods with red coloring can sometimes make stools appear reddish. In all these cases, your doctor can test the stool with a chemical to rule out the presence of blood.

Bleeding in the esophagus or stomach (such as with peptic ulcer disease) can also cause you to vomit blood.

What are the symptoms if your iron is too high?

Common symptoms include:feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)weight loss. weakness. joint pain. an inability to get or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)irregular periods or stopped or missed periods. Brain fog, mood swings, depression and anxiety.

Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition where iron levels in the body slowly build up over many years.

This build-up of iron, known as iron overload, can cause unpleasant symptoms. If it is not treated, this can damage parts of the body such as the liver, joints, pancreas and heart.

Haemochromatosis most often affects people of white northern European background and is particularly common in countries where lots of people have a Celtic background, such as Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

How long does poop stay black after iron tablets?

What to do: There is no need to consume an exaggerated amount of iron every day unless medically indicated. Reduce your iron intake and monitor your stool color, as it should return to its normal, lighter color within a few days.

2. Intake of red or black foods. In addition to foods with high iron contents, foods with a very intense red or black color can also darken poop. Some examples include:

• Licorice
• Blackberries
• Dark chocolate
• Jello with red food coloring
• Beets

Can black stools be harmless?

Black poop often has harmless causes such as medications, supplements, or dark foods like beets or black licorice.

While black poop isn’t always something to worry about, it can occasionally be an indication that there is blood in your upper gastrointestinal system. This could mean a serious underlying health condition such as liver disease or cancer.

Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health.

If your stool is black and tarry (a sticky consistency), it means there is blood in it. This is a medical emergency.