HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Took iron pill for 2 days for anemia symptoms fatigue lightheaded, headache. now my poop color is olive green. (light green) instead of dark green or black. does that mean its working or not working?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

When you take iron supplements by mouth, only about 10% is absorbed and the rest is excreted in stool giving black or green discoloration to the stool. Efficacy is measured by measuring serum iron panel after a few weeks and seeing improvement.

Answered 9/22/2023

0 views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Lightheaded weak and tired i don't feel that i get the right amount of iron intake daily i don't eat meat..Could i be anemic awful headaches aswell?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Tired, light headed nausea. All tests ok but ferritin low at 16. Heavy menstration. Could i be having symptoms anemia if hem is normal?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Hii have had 3 days non stop headache.Diarrhoea "stool is creamy textured, color is light beige, close to white".Tired and lightheaded.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

My Serum iron level is 9 [range:14-28] Ferritin is 18 [10-420] Symptoms fatigue, headaches, dizziness Do I need to use iron supplements/ferrous fumarate to increase it? Whats the difference between serum iron and ferritin please?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Yesterday I had a tremor and Ive been feeling lightheaded and sleepy ever since, could this be Iron deficiency anemia ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

Experiencing symptoms of anemia--palpitations, extreme fatigue, headache, dizziness, tingling in arms/legs, etc. Should i go to ER or see reg. Md?
On iron for 6 weeks 325mg x2 for iron deficient anemia; hemoglobin was 12.4 but dropped to 10.2 had black tary stool dizziness could I be bleeding?
Extreme fatigue and dizziness relieved by taking an iron B12 and folate (folic acid) for a few days. Today fbc normal, not anemia?
I have symptoms of anemia only when on my period. Lightheaded, pale, etc. Do I need to be diagnosed or should I just treat myself with iron supplement?
I have Crohn's disease and am mildly anemic. I am not taking iron supplements. I have almost daily headaches, sometimes migraines. I am always tired. Can the headaches be linked to anemia?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.