Blood in Stool: What It Means and When to Seek Medical Help

Published on, 31 December, 2024. Answered by Dr. Adam Moskowitz and Verified by Dr.Galen Team
Patient Question

Hello Doctor,

Three weeks ago, I experienced red blood in my stool for three days, along with black stool. However, two days ago, I had hemoglobin and occult tests, and the results were all normal. Does this mean I do not have colon cancer?

Answered by Dr. Adam Moskowitz

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.

Blood in stool is never normal. It’s a sign that further investigation is needed. Black stool could be from an upper gastrointestinal source, or it could be from certain foods and/or medications such as iron supplements or Pepto-Bismol. However, blood alone is not diagnostic of colon cancer. A proper evaluation, including an exam, colonoscopy, blood tests, and imaging, is necessary to understand the cause.

Thanks


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