What Causes Metallic Smelling Poop?
We don’t often talk about poop smells, but the odor of your stool can reveal important health information. A metallic smell in your poop may be alarming, but it usually indicates a temporary digestive issue. Identifying the cause can help you find relief and get your bowel movements back to normal.
Common Causes of Metallic Smelling Stool
There are a few common culprits that can make your poop smell metallic:
- Foods and supplements high in iron, zinc, or B vitamins
- Blood from hemorrhoids or anal fissures
- Malabsorption issues like celiac disease
- Viral infections
- Bacterial overgrowth in the intestines
Let’s explore these typical causes of metallic stool odor in more detail.
Dietary Causes
In many cases, foods or supplements can make poop smell metallic. Iron supplements in particular are a common culprit, as excess iron is excreted through the stool. High levels of zinc, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 can also lead to metallic poop.
Some examples of foods and supplements that may cause metal-scented poop include:
- Red meat
- Fortified cereals
- Beans and pulses
- Shellfish like mussels and oysters
- Iron or multivitamin supplements
- Zinc supplements
Blood in Your Stool
Another common cause of metallic poop odor is blood in the stool. Blood from conditions like hemorrhoids, anal tears, ulcers, fissures, or rectal trauma can make stool smell like iron.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus or rectum that may bleed during bowel movements. Straining to pass hard stool can damage these fragile veins, causing traces of blood to leak out. This is why hemorrhoids often cause bloody stool with a metallic scent.
Anal fissures are small tears or wounds in the delicate anus lining, usually near the sphincter muscles. Passing hard, bulky stool can rip these fragile tissues, resulting in bright red blood and frequently a metallic smell.
Blood from these common rectal issues can give stool an iron-like odor. See your doctor if you notice persistent blood or a metal scent.
Malabsorption Disorders
Certain malabsorption disorders can also cause your poop to smell like metal. These conditions impair your small intestines’ ability to absorb nutrients from food.
A prime example is celiac disease, which is a reaction to gluten grains like wheat, barley, and rye. In celiac patients, gluten triggers immune damage to the small intestinal lining. This can lead to poor nutrient absorption over time.
Other issues like intestinal infection, IBS, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetic neuropathy, and some cancers can also harm the intestines’ absorptive lining. Damaged areas bleed easily, potentially releasing traces of blood and a metallic scent into stool.
Infections
Viral and bacterial gut infections are another culprit for foul metallic poop smells. Issues like norovirus, rotavirus, and food poisoning can all cause vomiting and watery, metallic diarrhea.
How do bugs give stool a metal scent? Through inflammation and bleeding. Nasty viruses aggressively irritate the GI lining, while bacteria release toxins. This can rip intestinal tissues, sending traces of blood into stool.
Additionally, some major intestinal viruses like norovirus totally impair digestion and absorption until the infection passes. Poor absorption lets excess iron and vitamins sink into stool, possibly causing a metallic smell.
Bacterial Overgrowth
An overgrowth of "bad" bacteria in the intestines can also create foul metallic poop odors. Normally good gut bacteria protect your intestines and digest nutrients. But when harmful strains move in, they can cause problems.
Excess bad bacteria compete with your body for nutrients, potentially worsening malabsorption. They also irritate and may puncture the GI lining. This can make stool smell bloody and metallic.
Common examples of troublesome bacteria include Salmonella, Clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus, and strains of E. coli. Underlying issues like IBS or antibiotics use often enable their overgrowth.
When to See a Doctor
While metallic poop smell usually stems from minor issues, see a doctor if you have:
- Persistent metallic odor for 3+ days
- Blood visibly coating or mixed into stool
- Severe diarrhea lasting over 48 hours
- Fever over 101 F
- Severe pain or cramping
- Dehydration signs like dizziness upon standing
Chronic loose stools, bleeding, and metallic odors could indicate inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. Blood infections can very rarely even cause intestinal bleeding.
To diagnose the cause, your physician will ask about your symptoms and medical history. Alert them to any major diet changes, supplement use, digestive issues, or bathroom pattern shifts.
Your doctor will also perform exams to check for rectal bleeding, infection, dehydration, and malnutrition signs. They may order blood tests to look for inflammation and anemia.
Further testing can include stool samples to check for blood, infection, or digestive issues. Scopes like a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy may help examine your rectum and colon lining for damage.
Your doctor will also create a tailored treatment plan based on your test findings and particular symptoms.
How to Reduce Metallic Smells
Diet Modifications
If a particular food or supplement seems to cause foul metallic odor, avoiding it for a few weeks should help. Keeping a food diary can help pinpoint triggers.
Be sure to also drink citrus juice or vitamin C when taking iron supplements, as citric acid improves iron absorption. Divide dosage sizes and avoid taking iron pills on an empty stomach.
Hydrate
Proper hydration is crucial for healthy poop. Water softens stool, preventing painful straining and anal tearing from constipation. Shoot for at least 1.5 to 2 liters per day minimum.
Broths, herbal teas, fruits, and smoothies all add extra hydration too. But limit fluids temporarily if loose stools or diarrhea are a problem.
Increase Fiber
Fiber acts like an intestinal broom, binding to stool and improving its bulk and moisture content. This allows it to slide out with less straining.
Gradually boost daily fiber intake to 25 to 35 grams using vegetables, fruits, beans and lentils, whole grains, and psyllium supplements. But again, reduce excess fiber if diarrhea is an issue.
Take Probiotics
Probiotics may help crowd out excessive yeasts and "bad" bacteria causing irritation or micro-bleeding. These healthy microbes help digest carbs, absorb nutrients properly, and regulate bowel function.
Consume probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. You can also take Align, Florastor, Culturelle or another quality probiotic supplement temporarily.
See Your Doctor
Schedule a physician visit if you have persistent poop odor concerns, blood visible in stool, consistent diarrhea or constipation, or other distressing symptoms. Your doctor can properly diagnose the cause and outline other helpful dietary and lifestyle changes tailored to your unique needs.
In most otherwise healthy people, metallic poop smell is temporary and soon fades after adjusting supplements, diet, hydration, or activity levels. But recurrent issues may need medication, testing, stress reduction techniques, or sometimes surgery.
Report any worrying or prolonged changes in poop smell, color, frequency, and comfort passing stool. Paying attention helps catch developing problems early.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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