Common Deficiencies & Shortness Of Breath

[sidelined]

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!

[HavaneseMom]

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:

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

[KCG91]

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]

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.

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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]

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.