Iron levels

[penguin11]

Prior to going gluten-free I had episodes where I had trouble breathing, got very hungry, dizziness, and was barely able to stand up straight. I think this could be related to anemia, since it is gone after going gluten-free. However, last week I ate vegan food every meal, and at the end of the week, the anemia feeling came back. Could this be related to low iron, and is it possible that my iron levels came back to where it was before I went gluten-free in only one week with low iron food?

 

[trents]

44 minutes ago, penguin11 said:

Prior to going gluten-free I had episodes where I had trouble breathing, got very hungry, dizziness, and was barely able to stand up straight. I think this could be related to anemia, since it is gone after going gluten-free. However, last week I ate vegan food every meal, and at the end of the week, the anemia feeling came back. Could this be related to low iron, and is it possible that my iron levels came back to where it was before I went gluten-free in only one week with low iron food?

 

I wouldn't think one week of vegan eating would bring on anemia unless your iron levels were already borderline. But do keep in mind that there are no vegetable sources of B12 except some fermented cabbage products and B12 is vital to iron absorption. 

[penguin11]

I still can feel somewhat exhausted after/in stressful situations, but not so much as before. This is also the only symptom that still remain after going gluten-free.  Maybe I am borderline anemic as you menioned. Thanks for the tip on B12. I don`t eat dairy, so I may have to eat more meat.

[trents]

Have you had any blood work done lately to check for anemia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies? Read meat is absolutely the best natural source of iron and of the most easily assimilated kind of iron (heme iron). There is a form of anemia called "pernicious" anemia related to being unable to assimilate B12 because of lack of something called "intrinsic factor," an enzyme needed to absorb B12. With pernicious anemia, B12 supplementation has no affect. B12 injections must be used.

Edited October 23, 2021 by trents

[penguin11]

1 hour ago, trents said:

Have you had any blood work done lately to check for anemia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies? Read meat is absolutely the best natural source of iron and of the most easily assimilated kind of iron (heme iron). There is a form of anemia called "pernicious" anemia related to being unable to assimilate B12 because of lack of something called "intrinsic factor," an enzyme needed to absorb B12. With pernicious anemia, B12 supplementation has no affect. B12 injections must be used.

I have not had any blood work done in years. I went gluten-free one year ago because my body was shutting down, and I was feeling worse and worse the last half part of my life. I did not get any diagnosis before I went gluten-free, which in hindsight I wish I would have tried to get. Now I live as if I have celiac disease, since 90% of my problems went away. Would you recommend going for a diagnosis? Maybe first check for vitamin and iron deficiencies, to get an indication?

[knitty kitty]

@penguin11,

Most vegetables are not good sources of B vitamins except for leafy green vegetables like kale, turnip greens, collard greens, beet greens and even broccoli.

The best food sources of B vitamins are liver, red meat, pork and fish like salmon.  Red meat and liver are excellent sources of iron.  

Remember, you need all eight B vitamins (and various minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc).  Meats are the best sources for these.  Liver is the most nutrient dense with both vitamins and minerals.  

 

[penguin11]

15 minutes ago, knitty kitty said:

@penguin11,

Most vegetables are not good sources of B vitamins except for leafy green vegetables like kale, turnip greens, collard greens, beet greens and even broccoli.

The best food sources of B vitamins are liver, red meat, pork and fish like salmon.  Red meat and liver are excellent sources of iron.  

Remember, you need all eight B vitamins (and various minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc).  Meats are the best sources for these.  Liver is the most nutrient dense with both vitamins and minerals.  

 

Thanks, will definitely eat more liver after hearing this.

[trents]

I would suggest you get some bloodwork done to get a better idea of what might be causing this. Not every medical problem is related to having celiac disease. How's your insurance?

[penguin11]

2 hours ago, trents said:

I would suggest you get some bloodwork done to get a better idea of what might be causing this. Not every medical problem is related to having celiac disease. How's your insurance?

Insurance is not so big issue where I live. I will go and draw some blood, and try to find some indications of what is going on.

[Wheatwacked]

On 10/23/2021 at 12:57 PM, penguin11 said:

since 90% of my problems went away. Would you recommend going for a diagnosis?

When you fill out the patient history form be sure to indicate the symptoms that got better with GFD.  Hopefully you'll find a doctor that will support or at least accept your self diagnosis and listen to what you say.  Let the doctor guide you as far as becoming labeled.

[soybeanskidney]

I had the same symptoms and I have a diagnosis of insulin resistance.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_resistance