Published on: 3/5/2025
Your poop may smell like metal because iron, from supplements or bleeding, changes the way your gut works and creates a metallic odor.
Inside your gut, tiny bacteria called microbes help break down the food you eat. When you take iron supplements, the extra iron can change how these microbes work and sometimes cause your poop to have a metal-like smell. Iron has its own strong odor, and when it mixes with the natural process of digestion, it can make your stool smell metallic. Bleeding in your stomach or intestines can also cause this smell as blood is rich in iron. If you develop stool with a metallic smell, particularly if associated with other symptoms like abdominal pain or fatigue, it is a good idea to talk with a doctor.
(References)
Bloor SR, Schutte R, Hobson AR. Oral Iron Supplementation—Gastrointestinal Side Effects and the Impact on the Gut Microbiota. _Microbiology Research_. 2021; 12(2):491-502. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres12020033
DiGregorio AM, Alvey H. Gastrointestinal Bleeding. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
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