Loss Of Appetite. Black Tart Stool
Upper gastro intestinal bleed.
Detailed Answer:
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Upper g.i bleed could be considered when a person says he has black tarry stool.A stool occult blood test or a stool microscopy should be done to confirm the presence of blood with the stools.
Generally, blood coming from higher levels (stomach and small bowel) converts into a dark coal black colour(tar colored)due to the changes the blood has in the bowel.
Have you ever had a colonoscopy done? After the age of 50, it is recommended that all people should have a colonoscopy every 5-10 years. Even if you have had this test in the last 5 years it might be recommended to repeat it as you are having this bleeding if the stool tests confirm you are really bleeding.
A CBC would be a good test to be done if you suspect bleeding to see if you are developing anaemia as a complication of bleeding and need treatment for it or not.
I hope this is helpful and answers your questions but please feel free to reply in case any more clarification is needed on this.
Kind regards,