Celiac with low iron

[Peggy M]

I was diagnosed 1 year ago with Celiac. Just 2 months before I required 2 liters of blood followed by an infusion of iron.  Then in August of this year another infusion of iron was required. Now I will be going in for another tomorrow.  Is this something Celiacs have a problem with?  I usually get so weak I can hardly walk.  In reading onlin, there seems to be a connection between the two.  What can I do to improve my iron intake?  I do not like having this infusion since it can cause other problems if you get it too often.

[knitty kitty]

Yes, Peggy, 

Anemia is common in Celiac Disease.  Anemia can be caused by not absorbing sufficient iron, Cobalamine B12, and other essential nutrients.  

We need iron to make blood cells but we also need Cobalamine B12.  An intrinsic factor is needed to absorb B12, but gastritis can affect the production of the intrinsic factor in the stomach.  Vitamin C helps the absorption of iron.  Trace minerals such as copper and zinc are needed, too.  Riboflavin B2 is important in correcting anemia as well, not to mention Thiamine B 1, Folate B9, and Vitamins A and D.    

Checking for nutritional deficiencies is part of proper follow up care for Celiac Disease. 

Supplementing with essential vitamins and minerals may be necessary until your intestines heal and can absorb sufficient nutrients on their own.  Following a nutritionally dense diet helps as well.  

Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Have you talked to a nutritionist about a nutritionally dense gluten free diet?  

What sort of gluten free diet are you following?  Are you vegetarian? 

Knitty Kitty

[Peggy M]

I'm not a vegetarian.  Went to a nutritionist who gave me the diet for seniors. Too much food! If I eat 2 meals a day I'm lucky.  Despise most of the food. No taste. Meat, cheese and eggs I do eat a lot of. I just tried drinking gluten-free protein shakes at lunchtime.  My B12 is ok.  I been taking a B100 complex for years.  Can't take Vit C because of the acid but manage to have 1 serving of fruit a day.  B1 was just tested and is right on target. Must be something that everyone is missing.

[knitty kitty]

@Peggy M,

If you've been taking a B100 Complex in the eight to twelve weeks before having your B12 and B 1 tested, your blood tests would be picking up on the vitamins circulating in your bloodstream before being absorbed.  These would be inaccurate measurements.  

You can have a subclinical thiamine insufficiency before it is reflected in the blood.  Same with B12.  Vitamins work inside cells in organs and tissues.  The body will steal from those cells to supply the brain and heart.  The bloodstream is a transport system, but the stores inside the cells are empty.  

Nutritional deficiency symptoms can be very subtle.  Like "No taste" can be a symptom of Thiamine insufficiency leading to loss of appetite and anorexia.  Zinc deficiency can make one lose the sense of smell and taste.  

The best test for Thiamine deficiency is to take Thiamine and look for improvement according to the World Health Organization.  Thiamine Hydrochloride or Benfotiamine are available over the counter.  Benfotiamine has been scientifically shown to promote intestinal healing.  

Check your vitamin supplement label.  Thiamine mononitrate is not utilized well by our bodies.  It's shelf stable, doesn't degrade sitting on a store shelf.  It's not good for our bodies, but manufacturers like it because it's cheap.  

The B vitamins are water soluble and easily excreted by the kidneys.  We need more when we are sick, physically active, and under stress.  

Every mitochondria in every cell uses thiamine to make energy so cells can function properly.  Some cells contain hundreds of mitochondria.  When there's insufficient thiamine, the mitochondria cannot function properly.  Mitochondria are involved in Celiac Disease.

Please try taking extra Thiamine and Benfotiamine.

References:

Mitochondria and redox balance in coeliac disease: A case-control study

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29243228/

Mitochondria: It is all about energy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10167337/

[AvdBrink]

On 11/16/2023 at 4:18 AM, Peggy M said:

I was diagnosed 1 year ago with Celiac. Just 2 months before I required 2 liters of blood followed by an infusion of iron.  Then in August of this year another infusion of iron was required. Now I will be going in for another tomorrow.  Is this something Celiacs have a problem with?  I usually get so weak I can hardly walk.  In reading onlin, there seems to be a connection between the two.  What can I do to improve my iron intake?  I do not like having this infusion since it can cause other problems if you get it too often.

Dear Peggy M.,

Just yesterday I posted a message on iron malabsorption under "Related Issues and Disorders". Maybe Iron Pyrophosphate (capsules) is worth trying. All the best.

AvdBrink