Does anyone here also have Afib

[knitty kitty]

@DebJ14

The Spectracell Test for Micronutrient Deficiencies tests  intracellular levels of the nutrients INSIDE Leukocytes (white blood cells) which are in the bloodstream.  This still is not reflective of current stored vitamin levels inside organs.  

The genetic MTHFR mutation does occur frequently with Celiac Disease.  Taking the methylated (activated) forms of the B vitamins is necessary.  

A good multivitamin may not be sufficient to correct deficiencies.  Malabsorption due to the intestinal damage of Celiac Disease may prolong deficiency states.  Vitamin deficiencies need to be corrected quickly to prevent long-term problems.  Taking a B Complex twice a day increases absorption.  Taking a multivitamin as well is fine as multivitamins usually also contain some necessary minerals.

[knitty kitty]

7 hours ago, Yaya said:

This is difficult for me to deal with.  B complex is what stands between me and migraines.  Whenever I stop B for just a few days, I get a migraine.  All my adult life I would get a violent migraine for 3 days like clockwork until a doctor told me to try B complex and it worked.  The only time I get a migraine is when I've run out of B.  This has worked for me for over 15 years.  I am soon to be 79.  

My cardiologist has me stop all vitamins for about 3 days and I always have a migraine when I go in for the bloodwork.  

D level is nearly at optimal.  I don't take A, I get enough from food.   What a dilemma!

I used to suffer with migraines, but I have rarely had one since I started taking additional Thiamine.  The form called TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) can improve neurological functions in the brain.  Benfotiamine is another form that improves migraines.

Look at the label on your B Complex vitamins.  It should tell you what form of thiamine is in it.  If it says thiamine mononitrate, you're probably not getting sufficient thiamine.  Thiamine Mononitrate is a form used in vitamin supplements and foods because it is shelf stable.  Shelf stable means it won't break down when exposed to heat and light sitting on a shelf waiting to be bought in a store or warehouse.  It also is very difficult for the body to break it down and utilize it.  Only about thirty percent of the amount of thiamine mononitrate on the label is absorbed.  

Do take a look at Dr. Lonsdale and Dr. Marrs' website hormonesmatter.com.  Dr. Lonsdale has done much research on Thiamine.  

Keep us posted on your progress!

[tiffanygosci]

Hi! I had my first episode of AFib last May when I was 30 (I have had some heart stuff my whole life but nothing this extreme). I was not diagnosed with celiac until the beginning of this month in October of 2025. I was in the early stages of celiac, so I'm not sure if they were related (maybe!) All of my heart tests came back normal except for my electrolytes (potassium and magnesium) that were low when the AFib occurred. I also became pregnant with our third and last baby a couple weeks after I came back from that hospital stay. I had no heart complications after that whole thing. And I still haven't over a year later. It was definitely scary and I hope it doesn't happen again. I drink an electrolyte drink mix about every day, and I'm sure being on a gluten-free diet will help my body even more! I will pray for you in this. Taking care of our bodies is so challenging but Jesus is with us every step of the way. He cares and He sees you!

[larc]

When I accidentally consume gluten it compromises the well-being of my heart and arteries. Last time I had a significant exposure, about six months ago, I had AFib for about ten days. It came on every day around dinner time. After the ten days or so it went away and hasn't come back.  My cardiologist offered me a collection of pharmaceuticals at the time.  But I passed on them. 

[Yaya]

Thank you for responding and for prayers.  So sorry for your struggles, I will keep you in mine.  You are so young to have so many struggles, mine are mild by comparison.  I didn't have Celiac Disease (celiac disease) until I had my gallbladder removed 13 years ago; at least nothing I was aware of.  Following surgery: multiple symptoms/oddities appeared including ridges on fingernails, eczema, hair falling out in patches, dry eyes, upset stomach constantly and other weird symptoms that I don't really remember.  Gastro did tests and endoscopy and verified celiac disease.

Re heart: I was born with Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) and an irregular heartbeat, yet heart was extremely strong.  It was difficult to pick up the irregular heartbeat on the EKG per cardiologist.  I had Covid at 77, recovered in 10 days and 2 weeks later developed long Covid. What the doctors and nurses called the "kickoff to long Covid, was A-fib.  I didn't know what was going on with my heart and had ignored early symptoms as some kind of passing aftereffect stemming from Covid.  I was right about where it came from, but wrong on it being "passing".  I have A-fib as my permanent reminder of Covid and take Flecainide every morning and night and will for the rest of my life to stabilize my heartbeat.   

[DebJ14]

On 6/4/2025 at 8:42 PM, knitty kitty said:

@DebJ14

The Spectracell Test for Micronutrient Deficiencies tests  intracellular levels of the nutrients INSIDE Leukocytes (white blood cells) which are in the bloodstream.  This still is not reflective of current stored vitamin levels inside organs.  

The genetic MTHFR mutation does occur frequently with Celiac Disease.  Taking the methylated (activated) forms of the B vitamins is necessary.  

A good multivitamin may not be sufficient to correct deficiencies.  Malabsorption due to the intestinal damage of Celiac Disease may prolong deficiency states.  Vitamin deficiencies need to be corrected quickly to prevent long-term problems.  Taking a B Complex twice a day increases absorption.  Taking a multivitamin as well is fine as multivitamins usually also contain some necessary minerals.

I only went on the multi vitamin AFTER a couple of year of high dose, targeted supplementation resolved most of my deficiencies.  I was on quite a cocktail of vitamins that was changed every 6 months as my deficiencies resolved.  Those that were determined to be genetic are still addressed with specific doses of those vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

I have an update on my husband and his A Fib.  He ended up in the hospital in August 2025 when his A Fib would not convert.  He took the maximum dose of Flecainide allowed within a 24 hour period.  It was a nightmare experience!  They took him into the ER immediately.  They put in a line, drew blood, did an EKG and chest Xray all within minutes.  Never saw another human for 6 hours.  Never got any results, but obviously we could see he was still in A fib by watching the monitor.  They have the family sign up for text alerts at the ER desk.  So glad I did.  That is the only way we found out that he was being admitted.  About an hour after that text someone came to take him to his room on an observation floor.  We were there two hours before we saw another human being and believe it or not that was by zoom on the TV in the room.  It was admissions wanting to know his vaccine status and confirming his insurance, which we provided at the ER desk.  They said someone would be in and finally a nurse arrived.  He was told a hospitalist was in charge of his case.  Finally the NP for the hospitalist showed up and my husband literally blew his stack.  He got so angry and yelled at this poor woman, but it was exactly what he needed to convert himself to sinus rhythm while she was there.  They got an EKG machine and confirmed it.  She told him that they wanted to keep him overnight and would do an echo in the morning and they were concerned about a wound on his leg and wanted to do a doppler to make sure he did not have a DVT.  He agreed.  The echo showed everything fine, just as it was at his annual check up in June and there was no DVT.  A cardiologist finally showed up to discharge him and after reviewing his history said the A Fib was due to the Amoxicillan prescribed for his leg wound.  It both triggers A Fib and prevents the Flecainide from working.  His conversion coincided with the last dose of antibiotic getting out of his system.  So, make sure your PCP understands what antibiotics you can or cannot take if susceptible to A Fib.  This cardiologist (not his regular) wanted him on Metoprolol 25 mg and Pradaxa.  My husband told him that his cardiologist axed the idea of a beta blocker because his heart rate is already low.  Sure enough, it dropped to 42 on the Metoprolol and my husband felt horrible.  The pradaxa gave him a full body rash!  He went back to his cardiologist for follow up and his BP was fine and heart rate in the mid 50's.  He also axed the Pradaxa since my husband has low platelets, bruises easily and gets bloody noses just from Fish Oil  He suggested he take Black Cumin Seed Oil for inflammation.  He discovered that by taking the Black Seed oil, he can eat carbs and not go into A Fib, since it does such a good job of reducing inflammation.  

Oh and I forgot to say the hospital bill was over $26,000.  Houston Methodist!

 

[Scott Adams]

On 10/25/2025 at 5:12 PM, tiffanygosci said:

Hi! I had my first episode of AFib last May when I was 30 (I have had some heart stuff my whole life but nothing this extreme). I was not diagnosed with celiac until the beginning of this month in October of 2025. I was in the early stages of celiac, so I'm not sure if they were related (maybe!) All of my heart tests came back normal except for my electrolytes (potassium and magnesium) that were low when the AFib occurred. I also became pregnant with our third and last baby a couple weeks after I came back from that hospital stay. I had no heart complications after that whole thing. And I still haven't over a year later. It was definitely scary and I hope it doesn't happen again. I drink an electrolyte drink mix about every day, and I'm sure being on a gluten-free diet will help my body even more! I will pray for you in this. Taking care of our bodies is so challenging but Jesus is with us every step of the way. He cares and He sees you!

My mother has celiac disease and was diagnosed with Afib around 8 months ago. She's 81 and around 2 months ago had ablation therapy done, which is a very common procedure to treat this, and she has been out of Afib 95% of the time since then. Apparently the full effects of this treatment don't kick in for 90 days, so the doctors expect her recovery to possibly reach 100%. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor.

[knitty kitty]

@DebJ14,

You said "husband has low platelets, bruises easily and gets bloody noses just from Fish Oil  He suggested he take Black Cumin Seed Oil for inflammation.  He discovered that by taking the Black Seed oil, he can eat carbs and not go into A Fib, since it does such a good job of reducing inflammation."

 

I don't think black seed oil is lowering inflammation.  It's lowering blood glucose levels.

Black cumin seed lowers blood glucose levels.  There's a connection between high blood glucose levels and Afib.   

Has your husband been checked for diabetes?  

Must Read:

Associations of high-normal blood pressure and impaired fasting glucose with atrial fibrillation

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36750354/

 

[DebJ14]

Yes, his A1C was 4.9.  Fasting blood sugar and insulin was tested in the hospital in August and he was told it was excellent.  He has never had a problem with blood sugar.  

[knitty kitty]

Fascinating.

[Scott Adams]

16 hours ago, DebJ14 said:

Yes, his A1C was 4.9.  Fasting blood sugar and insulin was tested in the hospital in August and he was told it was excellent.  He has never had a problem with blood sugar.  

If black seed oil is working for his Afib, stick to it, but if not, I can say that ablation therapy is no big deal--my mother was out of the procedure in about 1 hour and went home that evening, and had zero negative effects from the treatment.

PS - I would recommend that your husband get an Apple watch to monitor his Afib--there is an app and it will take readings 24/7 and give reports on how much of the time he's in it. Actual data like this should be what should guide his treatment.

[Keith Hatfield]

Many years ago yes, after eating and going to bed, apparently my esophagus filled with food that my body rejected, the esophagus would lay against the Heart sack (pericardium?) and the heart would respond by becoming arrhythmic. That went away with the strict diet.

[Yaya]

I asked my cardiologist about stopping vitamins.  He said his tests account for all detectable vitamins from sources other than food.  I only need to stop them for a couple of days.  He has me keep records of meds and vitamins I've ingested over the past 10 days and prior and he does his calculations. 

 

[cristiana]

4 hours ago, Keith Hatfield said:

Many years ago yes, after eating and going to bed, apparently my esophagus filled with food that my body rejected, the esophagus would lay against the Heart sack (pericardium?) and the heart would respond by becoming arrhythmic. That went away with the strict diet.

Interesting, when I suffered for a few months with ectopics I noticed that carbohydrates would cause indigestion and bloating in my stomach, then that would lead to my heart skipping beats, and I could feel it in my throat, it was very unsettling.  My last serious bout of this was after eating a Muller Rice Pudding for breakfast.   I happened to be wearing a 48 hour halter at the time and cardiology picked it up, but they weren't worried about what they saw.

There was some British doctor who'd made some videos on the Vagus nerve that I remember watching at the time which made sense of what I was experiencing, there did seem to be some sort of connection.