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Recently diagnosed - Question about vitamins


rt-116

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rt-116 Explorer

Just wondering what vitamins people were advised to take after diagnosis? I am anemic so think I need to improve my iron, presuming low on b12 and D but am yet to have full vitamin checks. Obviously will have these checked soon. 

Of course will vary for all, but just curious about the advice given to others prior to seeing my GP again. 

If you do take vitamins, when is the best time to take them for the best absoption benefits etc? 

Thank you for any help! 


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Fenrir Community Regular

I would wait and see what you're deficient in. Many Celiacs are deficient in Vitamin D and B12 but each person is different. 

cyclinglady Grand Master

Do not just take a vitamin because you are anemic.  Your doctor should be able to tell you which kind of anemia you have (there are many types).  For example, I was very anemic. My doctors knew that I had a genetic anemia called Thalassemia which there is nothing to be done except for blood transfusions when medically necessary.  It masked my iron-deficiency anemia for years due to celiac disease.  You can have more than one type of anemia!  

Do not let doctors compartmentalism you!  “Oh, she has Thalassemia, that is why her hemoglobin is low.”  

Get tested.  Although I was low in iron (ferritin test), I was never low in B-12.  

If your gut is damaged, it is hard to absorb anything.  So, if you are severely b-12 deficient, you might need shots to by-pass your gut until you heal.  If you remain on a strict gluten-free diet, you might never need to consume vitamins ever unless you eat an unhealthy diet full of sugar and junk food which is most Americans.....?

Take this to your doctor:

https://celiacdiseasecenter.columbia.edu/celiac-disease/follow-up/

https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/treatment-and-follow-up/

Fenrir Community Regular

@cyclinglady  is correct. The term "anemia" is just a general medical term meaning there something wrong with your red blood cells. It could be from a nutrient deficiency, could be genetic, could be from bleeding, cancer, or exposure to toxins. So if you don't know why you're anemic be sure the Dr. figures it out. 

Some celiacs are anemic from poor absorption of nutrients. 

rt-116 Explorer
12 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

Do not just take a vitamin because you are anemic.  Your doctor should be able to tell you which kind of anemia you have (there are many types).  For example, I was very anemic. My doctors knew that I had a genetic anemia called Thalassemia which there is nothing to be done except for blood transfusions when medically necessary.  It masked my iron-deficiency anemia for years due to celiac disease.  You can have more than one type of anemia!  

Do not let doctors compartmentalism you!  “Oh, she has Thalassemia, that is why her hemoglobin is low.”  

Get tested.  Although I was low in iron (ferritin test), I was never low in B-12.  

If your gut is damaged, it is hard to absorb anything.  So, if you are severely b-12 deficient, you might need shots to by-pass your gut until you heal.  If you remain on a strict gluten-free diet, you might never need to consume vitamins ever unless you eat an unhealthy diet full of sugar and junk food which is most Americans.....?

Take this to your doctor:

https://celiacdiseasecenter.columbia.edu/celiac-disease/follow-up/

https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/treatment-and-follow-up/

Thank you so much for your thoughts. Its been such an overwhelming couple of days and this has been very helpful! 

18 hours ago, Fenrir said:

I would wait and see what you're deficient in. Many Celiacs are deficient in Vitamin D and B12 but each person is different. 

Thanks! 

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