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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 Metformin?

I am diabetic, and recently was put on 10 units of insulin a day, and metformin 1000mg twice daily. Yesterday morning I noticed my stool being black, but did not thing anything of it. In the evening I felt weak and dizzy. I checked my blood sugar and it was 124, I also checked my blood preassure and it was 89/60. I remembered I had not had proper lunch (just a couple of bites of diced chicken breast and vegetables), so I ate the leftover thinking I just needed to eat. I left work and as I was driving I felt nauseaus. As soon as I made it to the parking lot I felt weak again and began to vomit, no blood, just what I had had for dinner. I went to the ER and was ckecked. this are the results: BP 114/66, glucose 201, but the most alarming hgb 11.9, and hematocrit 35.3. An EKG revealed no abnormaties. Today I continue to have jet black stools, and have made an appointment to see the GI doctor for tomorrow morning. What s your opinion?
Tue, 6 Aug 2019
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Black stools warrant investigation to rule out gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in the terrain of low Hb and HcT. This bleeding can be from the stomach or from the bowel.
An upper endoscopic exam and colonoscopy may be indicated.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician

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What Causes Black Stool While On Metformin?

Hello, Black stools warrant investigation to rule out gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in the terrain of low Hb and HcT. This bleeding can be from the stomach or from the bowel. An upper endoscopic exam and colonoscopy may be indicated. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician