What Causes Small Black Flecks In Stool?

Posted on Mon, 30 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 Answered on

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : What could cause small black thin flecks in normal colored stool, not due for a colonoscopy yet have had a stool test recently to check for blood in stool

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
upper GI bleed

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be presented as black flecks in the stool. For this you have to get a Upper Gastrointestinal endoscopy.

The blood from the upper GI tract like stomach, duodenum gets altered in the acid of the stomach and become black in colored due to formation of acid hematin.

Hope, I answered your query.

Wish you good health.

regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar