Dark stool

[froglet46]

Sorry if TMI. I’ve recently started taking Boots women’s multi vitamins. They contain iron but not a particularly high dose. Since then I’ve noticed my stools are much darker, very dark brown bordering black. It’s freaked me out a bit. Has anyone else had this while taking this type of multi vitamin? Plan to stop taking it for a few days to see if it changes but am worried at the moment. I’ve always had a lot of miscellaneous bowel issues - two colonoscopies and a recent (clear) FIT and blood test within the last 6 months.

Is there high levels of iron in them? That could be your answer if so.

Edit: Sorry just re read the post. Any excess/non absorbed iron will come out in your stool.

I would immediately stop the multivitamins. If things don’t clear up in a week then see your GP for sure.

Yes will definitely stop them and see what happens. I have a lot of issues with that area and frequently see bright red blood which has been seen and assessed as piles by GP. But I’m always very cautious of changes. I know iron can cause this but since it’s a multi vitamin with only small amounts
of iron I didn’t expect this to happen.

Bump

Red wine?
My stools are black/dark green after drinking red wine!!

It's not uncommon for multi vitamins that contain iron to turn your stools black.

As long as its not smelly, or sticky.
High iron intake can also cause constipation

As said stop for a few days and see if things go back to normal.

it’ll be the iron.

just fyi - when you stop the iron you will notice one poo that looks like normal poo with blobs of darker poo mixed in like chunks of one colour and chunks of the other.

you will then jump to conclusion that the darker blobs are blood and get a fright.

yet the next day your poo will be fine and youll realise it was just the last bit of ironish type poo leaving your system yesterday and it’s fine.

your poo will stay normal after that so any more dark blobs then aren't normal. until you start the iron again.