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Common Deficiencies & Shortness Of Breath

sidelined

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sidelined Apprentice
sidelined
Posted

I've been gluten free for almost 3 months, but I'm still feeling pretty lousy. Just found out my vitamin D is quite low (level was 15; "normal" range starts at 30). I'm hoping that explains some of the lethargy etc. My most troublesome symptom continues to be my shortness of breath/inability to catch a breath/air hunger. I haven't been tested for any other vitamins/minerals & related deficiencies, but as Vitamin D is typically not correlated with SOB, I'm curious about other's experiences with deficiencies and wondering which are most common to Celiac.

 

Thanks!

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HavaneseMom Explorer
HavaneseMom
Posted

Hi sidelined,

I had Vitamin D, B12 and Iron checked around the time of my diagnosis. My D and Iron came back deficient. Have you had your iron levels tested? I have noticed a lot of people on this forum have had anemia at diagnosis. Low iron or iron definciency anemia could definetely cause shortness of breath and fatigue. I couldn't walk up the stairs at my house without gasping for breathe when it was at its worse. Ask your doctor to have your Ferritin level tested specifically, in addition to the Complete Blood Count if it hasn't been done yet. If you are having a problem with iron, your Ferritin level could show it before your CBC will. I did a quick search and found this link that explains it better:

Open Original Shared Link

Hope you feel better soon. If it is your iron, it might take a little time to correct. I'm still working on mine.

  • 2 weeks later...
KCG91 Enthusiast
KCG91
Posted

Definitely get your iron levels checked if you are short of breath. I have always exercised a lot and never got any quicker - and could never walk up the hill to lectures without puffing - until I got tested and got onto some supplements. Six months in my absorption is good enough to handle it alone :)

NatureChick Rookie
NatureChick
Posted

Ditto on the iron but I'd make sure they check B12 as well. But I'd get a full panel that includes about two dozen vitamins and minerals.

Here is an official list of the deficiencies common in celiac.

Open Original Shared Link

But before you get more tests, get the printed copy of the tests you have already had. Just testing vitamin D would be pretty odd. It may be that the doctor only mentioned the one that tested as being low. But just being in the normal range doesn't mean that a level of something is ideal, and many "normal" ranges dip low enough to still cause symptoms so you have to get your results in hand and do your own research.

Sorry that I know nothing about shortness of breath as a symptom, but I wish you luck.

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

Other nutrients that can be a problem are Ca, A, B12, Fe, Mg, K, zinc, Mg, and Cu.

 

Hypothyroidism can also cause fatigue and it linked to celiac disease.  It might be something to check out.

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    • knitty kitty
      My only proof

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @NanceK, I'm glad you're willing to give Benfotiamine with B Complex another go!  I'm certain you'll feel much better.   Yes, supplementation is a good idea even if you're healing and gluten free.  The gluten free diet can be low in B vitamins and other nutrients. A nutritionist can help guide you to a nutrient dense diet, but food sensitivities and food preferences can limit choices.  I can't consume fish and shellfish due to the sulfa hypersensitivity and iodine content, and dairy is out as well.  I react to casein, the protein in dairy, as well as the iodine in dairy.  My Dermatitis Herpetiformis is aggravated by iodine.   Blood tests for B vitamin levels are notoriously inaccurate.  You can have deficiency symptoms before blood levels change to show a deficiency.  I had subclinical vitamin deficiencies for years which affected my health, leading to a slow downward spiral.  Because the B vitamins are water soluble, they are easily excreted in urine if not needed.  It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.   Wheat and other gluten containing grain products have vitamins and minerals added to them to replace those nutrients lost in processing.  Manufacturers add cheap vitamins that our bodies don't absorb or utilize well.  Even normal people can suffer from vitamin deficiencies.  The rise in obesity can be caused by High Calorie Malnutrition, where people eat more carbohydrate calories but don't get sufficient thiamine and B vitamins to turn the calories into energy.  The calories are stored as fat in an effort to ration out diminishing thiamine  stores.    It's time to buy your own vitamins in forms like Benfotiamine that our bodies can use well.   Not sleeping well and fatigue are symptoms of Thiamine deficiency.   I'm certain Benfotiamine with a B Complex will help you immensely.  Just don't take them at night since B vitamins provide lots of energy, you can become too energetic to sleep.  Better to take them earlier in your day.   Do keep me posted on your progress!
    • NanceK
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      Oh wow! Thanks for this information! I’m going to try the Benfotiamine again and will also add a B-complex to my supplements. Presently, I just take sublingual B12 (methylcobalomin). Is supplementation for celiacs always necessary even though you remain gluten-free and you’re healing as shown on endoscopy? I also take D3, mag glycinate, and try to get calcium through diet. I am trying to bump up my energy level because I don’t sleep very well and feel fatigued quite often. I’m now hopeful that adding the Benfotiamine and B-complex will help. I really appreciate your explanation and advice! Thanks again Knitty Kitty!
    • knitty kitty
      Is this celiac?

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    • Trish G
      Fiber Supplement

      By Trish G · Posted

      Thanks, that's a great addition that I hadn't thought of. 
    • trents
      Is this celiac?

      By trents · Posted

      Other diseases, medical conditions, medications and even (for some people) some non-gluten foods can cause villous atrophy. There is also something called refractory celiac disease but it is pretty uncommon.
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