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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Black Stool While On Iron Supplements During Pregnancy?

hello doctor
I'm in my 34th week of pregnancy... last week my gynec prescribed me orthoflex iron tablets to be taken thrice a day as my haemoglobin is just 9.9.. And I'm experiencing black stool last 1 week.. Is this normal? Is this because of iron tablets? Pls clarify...
Mon, 14 Apr 2014
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OBGYN 's  Response
Hello and welcome,

Please do not worry as black stools are due to the iron tablets and are very common. I also suggest that you take a course of anti worm drugs like albendazole as they are a common cause of iron deficiency anemia. Also addition of B complex [ especially vitamin B 12 and folic acid] are also important as usually the anemia is due to deficiency of iron and B complex vitamins both.

So discuss this with your doctor and start these drugs.

I also encourage you to eat green leafy vegetables as well as beet, carrots, and all red fruits like strawberries, apples, melons and so on. Intake of sprouted beans supplies most of the B complex vitamins and help combat anemia early.

Hope this satisfies your query.
Have a happy pregnancy.
Thanks for using HCM.     
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
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What Causes Black Stool While On Iron Supplements During Pregnancy?

Hello and welcome, Please do not worry as black stools are due to the iron tablets and are very common. I also suggest that you take a course of anti worm drugs like albendazole as they are a common cause of iron deficiency anemia. Also addition of B complex [ especially vitamin B 12 and folic acid] are also important as usually the anemia is due to deficiency of iron and B complex vitamins both. So discuss this with your doctor and start these drugs. I also encourage you to eat green leafy vegetables as well as beet, carrots, and all red fruits like strawberries, apples, melons and so on. Intake of sprouted beans supplies most of the B complex vitamins and help combat anemia early. Hope this satisfies your query. Have a happy pregnancy. Thanks for using HCM. Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have. Dr Madhuri Bagde Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist