why is my poop so dark?

anonymous · May 2021

It almost looks black.... could there be something wrong with me? Like... 2 weeks ago it looked green.

Umm could it be cause I don't eat a lot?

I eat 1 meal a day usually (dinner), or sometimes lunch and dinner.

I'm 16 yrs. Female, I'm 5'2 and weigh 96 lbs. I usually only poop like twice a week, but yesterday I went, and I noticed it was dark, and I also went today and it was also dark... what could be wrong?

julie-w · May 2021

Why do you care what color it is if you don't care about your health? You obviously don't care about your health if you only eat once a day. And you're obviously not eating enough if you only have a bowel movement twice a week. Get some therapy, then worry about your poop. Sigh.

parzych · May 2021

My Poop Is Dark

brewctred · May 2021

First thing I would do is make an appointment with my doctor, just to check things out.

Second thing I would do is resolve to eat more than one meal a day. Even if your one meal was 1500 calories, your body counts on being fed consistently in order for your brain and body to work to work consistently....even when you think you aren't hungry, you need to grab some granola, yogurt or a piece of fruit to keep your metabolism going.

The color of your poop is indicative of a slowed digested system (because you aren't eating your fruits and veggies or drinking water)...but also, could maybe be a because you have a problem in your upper intestines or intestinal system...like an ulcer?

Also...I don't think that being 5"2' and 96 pounds is an ideal weight for anyone, let alone a 16 year old female, unless you are naturally and inherently small boned and petite.

Regardless...go see your doctor. It could be as simple as you taking in too much iron or eating a lot of fiber filled food. But, if you are worried, you should talk to your doctor...hopefully there is nothing wrong, but you should check with him/her anyway.

In the meantime...EAT..girl, EAT!!!!

zaymee · May 2021

My question for you is: Would you describe it as a dark/tarry stool? If so, you need to see a doctor as this could indicate bleeding.

But you seem like a young and healthy person. Poop can be dark for a lot of reasons though. Did you know Pepto Bismol can turn your poop black?

Shelly, RN

jshryker58 · May 2021

For your age & height, you should weigh between 105 and 130 lbs. You need to eat right starting today.

To gain weight you only need to eat a little more calories than you burn each day. Try keeping a diary to track your activity (calories burned) and what you eat (calories in), Just make sure you eat more than you burn. There is a good desk top tool called diet and exercise at KEYOE.com that can help you safely gain or loose weight. Also Protein supplements can help. What ever you do,,, DON'T EAT JUNK. Use good habits to control weight (gain or loss). Also, start lifting weights to add muscle mass. Might as well put on muscle and not fat..

BUT you are too thin... and you are not eating enough.. Seek some help from your doctor or church..

karenmsarna · May 2021

Your stool will change in color and consistency all the time, according to what you eat.

Stools that are black every once in a while should be no cause for concern....it could just be from something you ate or a medication you took.

However, stools that are black consistently ARE a cause for concern. It can be from having blood in the stool, which in indicative of larger problems- irritable bowel, colitis, crohn's, etc.

The bigger problem I see from your question is that you don't eat enough. People should eat 5-6 small meals a day and no less than 1200 calories a day. Also, it is generally considered healthy to have at least one bowel movement a day.