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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Black Color Stools?

Hi there,I have an embarrassing question to ask. I have been on the Atkins Diet, Phase I Induction Phase for 2 weeks and have been following it religiously. I drink only 2 cups of green tea per day and eat loads of green vegetables daily. My stools are regular in the morning and comes naturally. However, the color is almost black and I would like to know if this is normal.
Thu, 21 Jul 2016
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history of you being on Atkin's diet wherein you are taking green tea and lots of green leafy vegetables.
These contain lots of iron, which on eating I'd converted to a black pigment giving stool its black color.
This is called malena.
This can also occur due to GI bleeding.
Or by taking oral iron containing preparations.
I would advise to stop green vegetables for 3 days and see if there is normal coloration of stool.
If not get upper GI, Colonoscopy and tests of blood and stool to find the cause and get treated accordingly.
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What Causes Black Color Stools?

Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history of you being on Atkin s diet wherein you are taking green tea and lots of green leafy vegetables. These contain lots of iron, which on eating I d converted to a black pigment giving stool its black color. This is called malena. This can also occur due to GI bleeding. Or by taking oral iron containing preparations. I would advise to stop green vegetables for 3 days and see if there is normal coloration of stool. If not get upper GI, Colonoscopy and tests of blood and stool to find the cause and get treated accordingly.