Vitamins..essential Or Not?

[Rachel--24]

I feel like I have deficiencies still. Sometimes I have night blindness, headaches, stiff joints and some mild aches. Little scrapes are slow to heal. Could this be related to vit/mineral deficiencies? I also have leaky gut. I havent been taking vitamins because I was looking for a good brand that I wasnt scared to try. I finally picked one and started taking it today. I'm hoping it will help with some of these symptoms.

Does pretty much everyone here take vitamins...do I need them? If they are going to help how soon would I notice? Also will it give my immune system a boost?

[ianm]

They seem to help me. I take liquid minerals from New Vision. They are pricey but an ounce every three days seems to do the trick so one bottle goes a long ways. There is a list of gluten-free vitamins around here somewhere and have not been glutened by them.

[VydorScope]

The use of vitmans is still debated. Some say its pointless, no matter how good of a brand you get they are not as good as the real thing and are a waste of money, others disagree and say thier pet brand is the expection, and still more say all vits are equal, just marketing seperates them. They will all quote stories, or link sites, or drop names of doctors supporting their postion. This is the typical patern when a answer is not realy known yet.

So, I say phewy to it all. I need extra Iron cause I am amenic, so I take a Centrum (its gluten-free) and Bayer Fergon (NOT gluten-free!!!! Will have to replace after gluten challange), in addtion to eating alot of iron rich food. That way I ahve my bases well covered.

[Rachel--24]

The use of vitmans is still debated. Some say its pointless, no matter how good of a brand you get they are not as good as the real thing and are a waste of money, others disagree and say thier pet brand is the expection, and still more say all vits are equal, just marketing seperates them. They will all quote stories, or link sites, or drop names of doctors supporting their postion. This is the typical patern when a answer is not realy known yet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think any vitamin is as good as the real thing but hopefully it will help a little. We'll see...in the past I never noticed a difference but I wasnt taking gluten-free vitamins either. Some people say they notice a big difference if they stop taking their vitamins so they must work for some people at least.

btw....I ate Sunmaid raisins today. They *are* addicting....I thought of you.

[nettiebeads]

I take a complete vit/min supplement. I think it helps me quite a bit. I feel a little "draggy" when I don't take them for awhile.

And I claim to be too ornery and mean to get sick.

[VydorScope]

btw....I ate Sunmaid raisins today. They *are* addicting....I thought of you.

Ahhhh thats very nice of you

[lgleeson]

I am a newly dx celiac and have been gluten free for about 2 months. I started having all kinds of neurological symptoms that were very scary. It turns out that I am very deficient in Vitamin B-12. (I probably have been for quite some time) B-12 is difficult to absorb and especially so in a celiac. I have been taking them sublingually (under the tongue) for a week and feel 100% better. I definitely think that celiacs should be taking a wide variety of vitamins to make up for the lack of absorption they experience. Hopefully, now that I am gluten-free, I will be absorbing better, but I think it will take some time to get back up to the right levels.

[aikiducky]

I didn't have time to get really ill before I went gluten-free... nowadays it feels like I'm getting what I need from my food. When I get glutenend I take a B-complex for a few days, it REALLY helps with my worst symptoms, like the brain fog. Actually didn't have much of a brain fog last time, I took a big doze of vit. B's immediately when I noticed I'd been glutened (by the smell, need I say more? ).

Now that I think about it, it would make sense that if one had deficiencies that were bad enough, it would be good to take a supplement ON TOP of eating well, since it might be simply impossible to eat enough to make up for those.

Pauliina

[Jnkmnky]

We don't use them. We eat a healthy diet which includes a daily salad. Of course, if you're looking to fix yourself after having been depleted due to malabsorbtion issues, then a multi until you're back to speed is a good idea.

[kyss]

Hey there, I'm a new old member. I have been gluten-free for 1 1/2 years and still have some problems...one of them is absorbtion. I have a very difficult time digesting anything much less vitamins. I can't eat many vegies because I get sick. So the vitamins pills are out. I tried to do the liquid vitamins, but those make me feel sick too. GI doc said my endoscopy was horrible to begin with, so he wasn't surprised....I guess. I drink alot of carnation instant breakfast until the lactose intolerance started, now I drink propel water. Next step is to start B12 injections if this doesn't help my energy level.....I guess we will see. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Kelly

[Rachel--24]

I am a newly dx celiac and have been gluten free for about 2 months.  I started having all kinds of neurological symptoms that were very scary.  It turns out that I am very deficient in Vitamin B-12. (I probably have been for quite some time)  B-12 is difficult to absorb and especially so in a celiac.  I have been taking them sublingually (under the tongue) for a week and feel 100% better.  I definitely think that celiacs should be taking a wide variety of vitamins to make up for the lack of absorption they experience.  Hopefully, now that I am gluten-free, I will be absorbing better, but I think it will take some time to get back up to the right levels.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What kind of neurological symptoms were you having from the B12 deficiency? I have neurological symptoms but not really gastro symptoms other than the weight loss and occasional bloating. I mainly worry about the neurological stuff and I think it could be related to deficiencies because the symptoms coincide with when I'm not absorbing well and losing weight.

[tarnalberry]

I eat healthy and have no known vitamin deficiencies, but I do take a multi, since it's not only *what* you eat, but how much. I'm a small person, I don't eat 2000 calories a day, and even eating healthy, without vitamins, I've tracked everything I eat and don't get the full amount of the vitamins I should.

In addition, I supplement with calcium/magnesium/D (for its effects on menstrual cramps, migraines, and bone health (shorter people are at increased risk and I'm dairy intolerant)), B's (for mood/energy (as I don't want to go on anti-depressants)), and CoQ10 (for migrain prevention). But that is much the same as taking a regular prescription medication for a specific purpose - only it's not a prescription, it's a vitamin/supplement. I also take St. John's Wort, at the moment, for it's mood effects.

[lgleeson]

What kind of neurological symptoms were you having from the B12 deficiency? I have neurological symptoms but not really gastro symptoms other than the weight loss and occasional bloating. I mainly worry about the neurological stuff and I think it could be related to deficiencies because the symptoms coincide with when I'm not absorbing well and losing weight.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[lgleeson]

I had everything from stinging on my skin, burning on my legs and arms, eye twitching, muscle twitching, itching, tingling in my feet and hands, muscle weakness and my eyes were burning and itching. Almost immediately after my B-12 shot, the symtoms started to subside. I hope this helps!

[Rachel--24]

I had everything from stinging on my skin, burning on my legs and arms, eye twitching, muscle twitching, itching, tingling in my feet and hands, muscle weakness and my eyes were burning and itching.  Almost immediately after my B-12 shot, the symtoms started to subside.  I hope this helps!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow...I get all those same symptoms off and on but I've had my blood checked for B12 deficiency a couple times and they said it was fine.

Sometimes I wonder about my HMO cuz they also said I didnt have malabsorption but Enterolab results showed high malabsorption (I lost 25 lbs.)

[nettiebeads]

Wow...I get all those same symptoms off and on but I've had my blood checked for B12 deficiency a couple times and they said it was fine. 

Sometimes I wonder about my HMO cuz they also said I didnt have malabsorption but Enterolab results showed high malabsorption (I lost 25 lbs.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You might try a B complex. If your body doesn't need it, it'll flush out since it's a water soluble vitamin.

[lizzy]

I had everything from stinging on my skin, burning on my legs and arms, eye twitching, muscle twitching, itching, tingling in my feet and hands, muscle weakness and my eyes were burning and itching.  Almost immediately after my B-12 shot, the symtoms started to subside.  I hope this helps!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hi all

i have those symptom too but i got that bad with muscle pain in my legs i was in a wheel chair to help with the pain instead of walking and i also have seizures and convultions too but since i am gluten free now i have only had too episodes in 6 weeks and that was because i got some gluten in me by mistake, i take b12 twice a day and a muti vit i think this helps i also learnt about the ones that go under the tongue and melt i am going to try those as well to see if i can get better absobtion from them than the tablet form, i also get grastitus alot and while i have it i dont absorb b12 and the medication i take to help heal it also stops me absorbing b12 so i need to take it other wise i have seziures daily. liz

[lgleeson]

Wow...I get all those same symptoms off and on but I've had my blood checked for B12 deficiency a couple times and they said it was fine. 

Sometimes I wonder about my HMO cuz they also said I didnt have malabsorption but Enterolab results showed high malabsorption (I lost 25 lbs.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My doctor said that it does not necessarily show up in your blood levels but you can still be deficient. A vitamin B-12 shot cannot hurt you so it's worth a try to see if it helps your symptoms.

[jenvan]

i am taking a liquid multi and a few other supplements depending on the day. it can take a while for the internal healing to occur...so it doesn't hurt. i also try and take a magnesium/malic acid for my fibromyalgia symptoms too.

[cy7878]

I feel like I have deficiencies still. Sometimes I have night blindness, headaches, stiff joints and some mild aches. Little scrapes are slow to heal. Could this be related to vit/mineral deficiencies? I also have leaky gut. I havent been taking vitamins because I was looking for a good brand that I wasnt scared to try. I finally picked one and started taking it today. I'm hoping it will help with some of these symptoms.

Does pretty much everyone here take vitamins...do I need them? If they are going to help how soon would I notice? Also will it give my immune system a boost?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have yo thought about asking your doctor to check all your vitamin levels? The problem is that there is current no standards in terms of blood work to follow people once they are diagnosed with celiac disease as I'm sure you are aware. Some people will order every test under the sun while others will wave their hands and say good luck. The problem with celiac disease is that malaborption is so prevalent, you may not have much symptoms of digestion, yet show signs of vitamin and mineral deficiency. There are ample evidence now that vitamin supplemention is a good idea in anyone with gut problems. The usefulness in "healthy" individuals may still be debated, but more and more nutrition oriented docs are recommending it to their patients and taking Vits themselves.

Sometimes it isn't just Vit A E D K, but minerals like zinc, copper, iron, mb and iron.

Good luck

[Rachel--24]

Have yo thought about asking your doctor to check all your vitamin levels? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah...I've asked them several times. My HMO sucks. My doctor didnt even know what I was talking about when I asked for Vit/min tests. They will only test b12, potassium, sodium, iron and I think magnesium. I've been tested a couple times and everything was fine except the iron which was low. Doctor wrote that I was anemic but then changed his mind or said it was error because my blood count was ok or something like that. Anyway the low iron got ignored. That was long before the gluten problem was discovered. Since then they just said "Great..sorry we didn't figure it out...Celiac is hard to dx...glad you found out and are better. Stay on the diet." Thats pretty much it. They have never been any help to me. My GI is decent at least.

Sometimes my hair starts falling out or I get burning/tingling sensations on my skin and tongue. Also I get the numbness/tingling in my hands and feet. It always happens when I'm losing weight so I'm thinking its some kind of deficiency. Its just another thing I'm going to have to figure out on my own I guess.

Who would I ask for B12 shots? I think it wouldnt hurt to try it once and see if it helps.

[lgleeson]

Yeah...I've asked them several times. My HMO sucks. My doctor didnt even know what I was talking about when I asked for Vit/min tests. They will only test b12, potassium, sodium, iron and I think magnesium. I've been tested a couple times and everything was fine except the iron which was low. Doctor wrote that I was anemic but then changed his mind or said it was error because my blood count was ok or something like that. Anyway the low iron got ignored.  That was long before the gluten problem was discovered. Since then they just said "Great..sorry we didn't figure it out...Celiac is hard to dx...glad you found out and are better. Stay on the diet." Thats pretty much it. They have never been any help to me. My GI is decent at least.

Sometimes my hair starts falling out or I get burning/tingling sensations on my skin and tongue. Also I get the numbness/tingling in my hands and feet. It always happens when I'm losing weight so I'm thinking its some kind of deficiency. Its just another thing I'm going to have to figure out on my own I guess.

Who would I ask for B12 shots? I think it wouldnt hurt to try it once and see if it helps.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would ask my internist or family practioner. I know you are limited by your HMO, but I would go to as many different doctors as I had to in order to get the answers you need.

[Mark-S]

I feel like I have deficiencies still. Sometimes I have night blindness, headaches, stiff joints and some mild aches. Little scrapes are slow to heal. Could this be related to vit/mineral deficiencies? I also have leaky gut. I havent been taking vitamins because I was looking for a good brand that I wasnt scared to try. I finally picked one and started taking it today. I'm hoping it will help with some of these symptoms.

Does pretty much everyone here take vitamins...do I need them? If they are going to help how soon would I notice? Also will it give my immune system a boost?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[KaitiUSA]

Vitamins are essential for life. One thing overlooked alot is also the need for minerals so don't forget those as well.

I like liquid vitamins because the absorption is supposed to be more effecient. I would think it would definitely give your immune system a boost. When your body has optimal levels of nutrients then it operates better...with the nutrition content in alot of food these days you need an extra source of nutrients so I would suggest getting on something.

[Rachel--24]

Vitamins are essential for life. One thing overlooked alot is also the need for minerals so don't forget those as well.

I like liquid vitamins because the absorption is supposed to be more effecient. I would think it would definitely give your immune system a boost. When your body has optimal levels of nutrients then it operates better...with the nutrition content in alot of food these days you need an extra source of nutrients so I would suggest getting on something.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Kaiti,

I found something to take. Its a multi vit/min supplement...not liquid though. Does it take awhile for vitamins to take effect or do they usually make a difference pretty quickly? So far, I'm not noticing a difference.