There are many reasons that stools could appear black or tarry with a foul smell, including eating certain foods or taking iron supplements. However, black stools can also be a result of bleeding, and the darker color indicates that the blood could be coming from a point in the upper gastrointestinal tract. When stools are black or tarry due to blood being present, it is called melena..
Because some conditions coincide with the presence of the disease, the following may be signs of leukemia: Anemia: A low red blood cell count. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. This condition may contribute to weakness, fatigue or shortness of breath.
Low hemoglobin with low RBC count and low hematocrit indicates anemia. Some causes include: 1  Excessive loss of blood from, for example, severe trauma or chronic bleeding from sites such as the digestive tract (e.g., ulcers, polyps, colon cancer), the bladder or uterus (in women, heavy menstrual bleeding, for example).he hemoglobin test may be ordered during a general health examination or when a person has signs and symptoms of a condition affecting red blood cells such as anemia or polycythemia. Some signs and symptoms of anemia include: 1  Weakness or fatigue. 2  Lack of energy. 3  Fainting. 4  Paleness (pallor). 5  Shortness of breath.