It’s scary isn’t it: going to the bathroom, glancing down before you flush, and seeing that your poop is as dark as a thousand midnights? You’re not alone in your horror. I can’t even begin to count how many times I get asked whether dark stool is a common side effect of taking iron supplements.
So, you’re in need of an oral iron supplement and head to the pharmacy where you’re greeted by an overwhelming selection. How do you pick the right one without resorting to an impromptu game of eeny, meeny, miny, moe? Keeping in mind that every body is different (and a one-size-fits-all iron supplement does not exist), I recommend that the “right” iron supplement is one that patients can tolerate with the least amount of side effects.