Can low hemoglobin level cause fatigue and black tarry stools?
Patient: my father was admitted to the hosp with a hemoglobin of 5 he had some dark black tarry stools prior to be admitted, normal edndo scope and colonoscopy. 2 weeks later my sister felt tired and had some black tarry stools, she went in and her hemoglobin was at 5 and she was in ICU for 4 days and all test were negative, now they are both home and both of them have been experimenting black tarry stools no abdominal pain and the m.D. cannot firgure this out, what should we do? my father is 84 and sister is 57 and sister has no health problems, my father is diabetic Doctor: Hello, Low hemoglobin is not responsible for fatigue and black tarry stools. In fact black tarry stools are due to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Bleeding from upper GIT causes black tarry stools and the upper GIT bleeding leads to anemia or low hemoglobin levels. Anemia or low hemoglobin level is responsible for fatigue. Thus, examination of upper GIT is required to know the cause of bleeding.  Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal