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Newbie Question About Vitamin Supplementation

JosieToo

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JosieToo Explorer
JosieToo
Posted

Hi all,

 

New to the forum. Have had the biopsy (showed stomach damage at "3B") and am waiting on blood tests to confirm. In the meantime, have gone gluten-free and am looking for all the answers! :)

 

Question:

 

My doctor implied that after going gluten-free my stomach will heal and once healed, absorb nutrients normally again (simplistically). To this end, is there any reason / indication for long-term use of vitamins or other supplements assuming an otherwise well-balanced diet?

 

As it stands, I feel fantastic and don't seem to have any of the symptoms others seem to refer to on this site. My iron levels at my last physical (about 6 months ago) were perfectly normal (in fact, higher than the last couple of years and on the high side of normal). My only symptom (that alerted me to a potential problem) was uncontrolled acid reflux.

 

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

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nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

It is a good idea to get your nutrient levels tested before taking extra vitamins. Many celiacs find that they need mega doses of vitamins for a few months or years until things heal completely. It's not a good idea to take mega doses unless you need it. KWIM?

Some of us are only low in a couple of spots so that is another good reason to check. For instance, I am low inA and almost low in D and Mg, but I am high in B12 and Ca, and normal in the others.

The common low bits and nutrients are: D, B's (12,2,6), iron, ferritin, potassium, magnesium, zinc, A, copper, calcium.

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

On the one hand, I am thinking if you are feeling really well, perhaps just keep doing what you are doing.  On the other hand, it is nice to check and be sure.

 

I plan to always take a multi-vitamin and vitamin B Complex and iron, but I will also have someone watch my nutrient levels.  However, I felt terrible and was really depleted in the beginning, so I wouldn't want that to sneak up on me again.  You may find your body still will do some hard recovery work and you may need extra nutrients.  The nutrient absorption test can give you assurance you are well nourished, or can let you know exactly what you need to supplement.

 

D

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      By cristiana · Posted

      Ferritin levels.  And see what your hemoglobin looks like too, that will tell you if you are anemic?  You can have 'low normal' levels that will not be flagged by blood tests.  I had 'low normal' levels, my lab reading was. c12, just over what was considered normal, but I had small benign lesion on my tongue, and sometimes a sore mouth, and a consultant maxillofacial ordered an iron infusion for me as he felt my levels were too low and if he  raised them to 40, it would help.   Because you are not feeling 100% it might be worth looking at your levels, then discussing with your doctor if they are low normal.  But I stress, don't supplement iron without your levels being monitored, too much is dangerous.
    • Mari
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      By Mari · Posted

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