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A member asked:
I was taking iron supplements and my stools were black. they are suddenly back to normal. does this mean i'm no longer absorbing all of the iron?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
No...: Intestinal iron absorption is poor to start with and oral iron supplements commonly discolor the stool black. The color changes of your stool while on oral iron supplements does not correlate with the efficiency of absorption. Your serum iron levels and hemogloblin are the most accurate markers of absorption.
Answered 8/6/2018
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Related Questions
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How do you know the difference between black stool from iron supplement or bleeding? Normal brown stool before iron pills were started. Should I worry
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After stopping iron supplements how long does it take for the stools to return to normal color?
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Help, I have black stool, but I do take iron supplements, should I be worried?
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Good day, my stool is black and I have been taking iron supplements as well, my stool also smells of blood. What could be the problem?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
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