Do iron supplements alter the colour of faeces? What other side effects do iron supplements have? The answer is in this article.
If you start taking iron supplements, you might be concerned about a change in the colour of your stool. Do iron supplements alter the colour of your faeces? We will address the answer and other information of interest to you in the following article, so read on:
Do iron pills change the color of stool?
One of the side effects of taking iron supplements to treat anaemia is a change in the colour of the stool from white to black. If you are taking iron pills, it is normal for the stool to turn black, which is a good sign that the medication is working effectively.
There is nothing to worry about, but if the colour of the stool does not turn black, there might be an issue with the way iron is absorbed from the intestine, in which case a different kind of iron supplement may be needed.
In order to increase the absorption of iron from the intestine, it is typically preferable to take vitamin C or drink a glass of orange juice along with iron pills.
Other side effects of taking iron pills
Do iron supplements only affect stool colour? No, is the answer. Taking iron supplements may cause the following side effects in addition to a change in stool colour:
- constipation .
- diarrhea.
- Nausea.
- vomit
- severe stomach pain
- Feeling a metallic taste in the mouth.
- headache.
Tips to follow when taking iron pills
The safe, affordable, and efficient option for treating iron deficiency anaemia is iron pills. After responding to the inquiry "Do iron supplements alter stools' colour?" It is useful for you to know some tips that help improve its absorption and increase its effectiveness:
- Take iron supplements daily rather than just occasionally, such as on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This helps the body absorb iron better from the intestine.
- Avoid taking iron supplements with certain foods, antibiotics, coffee, tea, calcium supplements, or milk. Instead, take iron supplements one hour before or two hours after consuming these foods.
- Iron supplements should be taken at least two hours before or four hours after antacids, depending on the time between the two.
- Avoid taking enteric-coated iron pills because they have very weak intestinal absorption due to their special coating, which does not break down quickly in the digestive system.
Other things may cause stool color change
After knowing the answer to the question "Do iron pills change the color of stool?" The following additional causes of stool colour change that you should be aware of:
- Eat dark foods
Dark chocolate, black licorice juice, berries, grape juice, and beets are some foods that can make your stool appear darker, but the effect goes away once you stop eating those foods.
- taking bismuth-containing medications
These drugs, which are used to soothe upset stomachs, contain the active ingredient bismuth salicylate, which can cause blackening of the tongue and alter the colour of the faeces.
- Bleeding ulcer
It is among the most prevalent causes of stools that change colour.
- Cancer of the stomach and esophagus
The colour of your stool may change to black if you have digestive bleeding, which could be a sign that you have stomach or esophageal cancer.
- Suffering from esophageal varices
It may also be accompanied by bloody bleeding, which is an emergency and needs medical attention, particularly if it causes the colour of the stool to change.
- Mallory-weiss tear
A doctor should be consulted if there is a change in the colour of the stool to black because severe coughing or vomiting may cause an oesophagus rupture and bleeding.