Blood on Tissue

I am a healthy 42 year-old male who has not visited a doctor in 20 years.  About a year or two ago I began to notice a small dot of blood on the tissue while wiping.  This isn

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There are many causes for rectal bleeding, including hemorrhoids, an anal fissure, colonic polyps, cancer as well as inflammatory bowel disease.  The fact that you feel fatigued may suggest excessive blood loss amongst other things.  

The test to consider would be some sort of lower endoscopy - including a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.  Those would be the most comprehensive tests ensure there isn't anything more serious going on.  A gastroenterology consult for further evaluation should be considered.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[surgeon]

if it's due to hemorroids (hemorrhoids), or a fissure (a tear in the skin at the anal opening), both of which are common and non-serious, they wouldn't also cause fatigue. You need to have both things (the blood and the fatigue) evaluated by your doctor.