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What Causes Dark Stool?
Question: About as week ago I noticed my stools were very dark.The first occurrence after not passing stools for a couple of days and being a bit constipated. Normally brown but for 5or 6 days now almost black. No pains or blood showing. I had a colon cancer in 2011 and all well since. I am on various drugs including warfarin.ShouldI report to my doctoror wait and see?
Thank you
XXXXXXX XXXX ( age 77)
Thank you
XXXXXXX XXXX ( age 77)
Brief Answer:
at this point, check your rbc and do occult stool test
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM.
In some cases black stool may be sign of smaller gastrointestinal bleeding especially in people who are on Warfarin.
However, it may be sign of certain diet or some medications. I think you should check your red blood count and do occult blood in stool test along with PT & INR at your GP.
This will show you if there is blood loss and whether there's any problem in the coagulation cascade.
Further course of management as well as tests can be planned accordingly .
But you also need to be watchful for any further bleeding episodes from any part of the body, if at all happens then you need to check into your nearest ER at the earliest.
Wish you good health.
Regards
at this point, check your rbc and do occult stool test
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM.
In some cases black stool may be sign of smaller gastrointestinal bleeding especially in people who are on Warfarin.
However, it may be sign of certain diet or some medications. I think you should check your red blood count and do occult blood in stool test along with PT & INR at your GP.
This will show you if there is blood loss and whether there's any problem in the coagulation cascade.
Further course of management as well as tests can be planned accordingly .
But you also need to be watchful for any further bleeding episodes from any part of the body, if at all happens then you need to check into your nearest ER at the earliest.
Wish you good health.
Regards
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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