12 replies to this topic

[Greengal]

Hello all!
I'm wondering if many people here had/have problems with iron deficiency as a result of Celiac? I haven't been diagnosed yet (awaiting the results of bloodwork, have not had an endoscopy) but some regular blood work (CBC etc) found that my iron levels were very low, despite the fact that I take an iron supplement daily. To be fair, I haven't been eating very well because I've been feeling so sick, but what annoyed me is that no one bothered to be interested in why they were so low. I was just told to take a higher supplement and that was it. Can Celiac cause iron defiency?
Thanks!
Kelly

[Thomas]

Good luck,

[angel_jd1]

A good way to help your body absorb iron is to have a vitamin C product when you have iron. For example.....when you eat a hamburger or steak...drink a glass of Orange Juice either with it, or directly before or after. This will help you absorb better.

-Jessica

[red]

My 12 yr old son has also been taking iron by RX and his levels are lower than when he started taking them and being gluten-free 6 weeks ago. At what level can iron be without great concern for a iron transfusion? We tried to take them with Vit C and the inside of his mouth broke out and looked scalded.
Does anyone else have these problems? any suggestions?

[hapi2bgf]

I was anemic all of my life. I would take the supplements for months and have only slight iron improvement, etc. Well the most recent doctor looked into all of my problems and was concerned that my blood work came back showing malnurishment and anemia. Long story short I finally agreed to an endoscopy and found that I have text book celiacs. The doctor said malabsorption is a sign of problems, one of which was celiacs. After changing to the gluten-free diet my numbers held much better.

There is an iron overload disease called Hemachromatosis and there is a form of the disease that prevents the absorption of iron. So you might want to find a knowledgable doctor on the Hemachromatosis topic. It's another disease that runs in my family I have never found a doctor who knew much about the Hemachromatosis.

[LDHV]

My daughter has anemia also, that was the first sign we had that somthing was the matter. After trying over the counter iron with no improvement the doctor sent us to a gi. after being tested and comfirmed for celiac and crohns she is now on niferex (iron) and folic acid both rx. She is also on other med. for the crohns but i think that the folic acid is what has improved her levels we go Tuesday for more blood work in hopes that we can get off the iron. as long as there is improvment we will be happy.
Leah
Jacie's mom (13)

[Thomas]

Also, when you take any iron supplements, never take it with calcium.

[red]

uh oh. why not take it with calcium? My GYN wants me to take iron (otc) for awhile but never mentioned not with calcium and i was taking them at the same time.

Leah
Your daughter has Celiac and Crohns. is the niferex helping the iron levels? My son (12) takes niferex also. The Dr. has ruled out Celiac but he will remain gluten-free. We are now testing further for the Crohns.

[Thomas]

I believe it to be true.

[Alison]

I was severely anemic for 10 years (at least) before being diagnosed with celiac disease. I had tried iron pills but when your intestines are damaged you cannot absorb iron. After going gluten-free, my iron levels were back up to normal within 3-6 months!! My doctor couldn't believe it. I certainly felt the difference too -- more energy, more color in my skin, no more leg cramps at night, no more ice cravings (a weird symptom of iron deficiency).
A word of caution, you should not take iron pills without knowing what your iron levels are -- too much iron can be toxic.
The reason why they say not to take calcium with iron is that calcium blocks iron absorption and vitamin C helps it (but if your intestines are damaged, it won't make much difference anyway).

[slimmroth]

I have been gluten-free for a year and my bloodwork supports that. However, this month I discovered (after fainting twice) that I am severelyanemic. I don't understand why , all of a sudden, I am anemic. I don't have periods so that is not the problem. I feel exhausted ALL the time. On top of that, I have severe lower back pain and had a nerve block last week (my third) which has not helped. I am 36 but when I wake up in the mornings, I feel 86 because my back is so stiff. Has anyone else had severe back pain?

[plantime]

My back pain is easy for me to trace: either I have overdone the physical part, or I am becoming dehydrated. One time, though, it was caused by a kidney infection.

I am supposed to take a B-complex with my iron supplement every day, but I cannot find a B-complex that does not have contamination. Does anyone know where I should look?

[slimmroth]

dessa,

have you tried the brand, "nature's bounty" I live in the South and that is the brand in our pharmacies. It states gauranteed free of gluten on the back label. I was checked for a kidney infection---I wish that had been my problem.