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Black Stools

I have Hepititis C, and on two consecutive days I noticed that my stool was black. I thought that it was because I had just started on Vitamins just for women. I read what vitamins were included and I saw that Ferrous Sulfate was one of the ingredients, so I settled myself down and accepted that this was the reason why, but now I am not so sure. Please help me to understand this occurance.                        Elaine Mickens
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446474 tn?1446347682
Call you doctor ASAP. This could be a very serious condition.

If there is only a small amount of bleeding, the only symptom may be dark or black streaks in the stools. If larger amounts of bleeding occur, symptoms may include:
    Black, tarry stools
    Bloody stools
    Light-headedness
    Paleness

Stop the vitamins. Treating yourself when you have liver disease and hepatitis C is not something that should done.

Hector
Helpful - 0
1491755 tn?1333201362
3 threads ?
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Avatar universal
If you have decided to wait to see if it is something your taking why not go to the drugstore, you can buy things to check if it is blood. Might ease the worring.

Good luck, just remember nothing takes the place of a doctor.
Helpful - 0
201379 tn?1319991331
I'd call your Doc sooner rather than later. Having had a burst varix (a bulging vein in the stomach/esophagus due to HepC and cirrhosis) I learned that GI bleeding can be a life threatening event. Not trying to diagnose you here, but in my case it was 3 days in the ICU and transfusions. yes, black stools were involved. I'd recommend you seek medical advice.
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1652596 tn?1342011626
my study nurse said no iron supplements for me.  i'd talk to your doctor.  take care.  belle
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Avatar universal
You are correct in assuming that  an iron supplement may cause the stool to be black. However any bleeding in the digestive tract can also have the same effect. Possibly stop that particular vitamin and  see if the problem rectify"s  :0   itself. If not you should be seen by your doctor.
Also it is usually not a good idea to supplement iron with HCV..as iron levels and/or iron storage  is often high with HCV.
Best
Will
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