Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

What Helps With Energy Level?

GEF

By GEF
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted

I'm in the midst of more testing, which means that I'm not gluten-free yet. Believe, every passing day I detest gluten more and can't wait to ban it from my life. But I'm dealing with an energy level that is so unbearably low and I don't know what could help. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Gretchen

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Exercise? Sleep? Hormone blood tests? I don't know... if it were me, I'd probably just say "I'll keep sleeping 'til the tests are over", but I blew a summer that way, so maybe not the best of advice. ;-)

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted
  • Author
I'd probably just say "I'll keep sleeping 'til the tests are over"

Hahahahahaa! That's what I feel like doing!

Guest Lindam
Guest Lindam
Posted

I just went to a new Internist who specializes in Celiac and IBS. What she said to me is that "our" bodies have a hard time digesting B vitamins, which help out the energy level. So she is recommending that I go for the B-12 shots. I am not looking forward to that, but I can't stand feeling so tired, either.

Has anyone else heard of this treatment? I am very curious to know.

Linda

dkmb Newbie
dkmb
Posted

I too have unbearable fatigue at times, although I am at this point gluten-free, just not healed yet.

At work I break my day up into shorter breaks. I also have taken some of my sick leave an hour or more at a time. Last week was a killer for me and I ended up taking 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours sick leave 3 days and came in on one day for only half my shift.

I go to bed as early as I can and get up later than usual. Those vitamin B shots sound worth looking into.

DK

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted
  • Author
Those vitamin B shots sound worth looking into.

I agree! I'm going to ask my doctor about those. Although I'm not much of a shot person, I'd gladly take them if it helped!

Mysteriously, I have energy and no cloud-head today... I'm running through all the things in my mind that could have caused that! :lol: I wonder if this is what people feel like normally?

Dk... I need just as much rest as you do. I live close enough to the office, so sometimes I'll take my lunch and get some sleep in. It's wonderful that your job is so flexible with your hours!

Gretchen

Guest Lindam
Guest Lindam
Posted

I did get B-12 shots after I had mono, and I knew back then it did some real good. I wish I lived close enough to go home a take a happy nap. Please if you guys do talk to your doctor, I am very curious as to what they say.

Linda :D

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted
  • Author
Please if you guys do talk to your doctor, I am very curious as to what they say.

Absolutely!

I have to wait until 10/8, but I'm going there with a list!! :lol:

ryebaby0 Enthusiast
ryebaby0
Posted

Things that could make you extra tired (like life doesn't do that, anyway!) A b12 deficiency, anemia, or an underactive thyroid! Are you taking a multi? Keep in mind that if you are celiac, you aren't absorbing a lot of what you are eating..... Hang in there....

dkmb Newbie
dkmb
Posted

I had forgotten, but one woman I work with who was ill, returned to work on a gradual basis. Her doctor actually wrote out a prescription for the amount of hours she could work each week for about 2 to 3 weeks.

DK

YankeeDB Contributor
YankeeDB
Posted

Before I was diagnosed, I was hitting the caffeine quite a bit. Might be short term solution to get you through it. Not the best solution, I know.

brehm48 Newbie
brehm48
Posted

I definitely agree with the b vitamin thing. We suffer from lack of absorption so we have to ingest a lot higher levels of vitamins to hope that we absorb some.

If you don't want to get shots, there are some really good vitamins out there. They are made by Alacer Corp. The vitamins also come in powder form, which is a lot easier to digest. There is a web site on the box www.alacercorp.com. I get them at the local co-op market. I have not contacted the company to verify that they are gluten-free but I've never had a reaction to them.

The vitamins are called Emer'gen-C the base of them is actually Vitamin-C which also helps with lack of energy. They are bonded to trace minerals making them non-acidic. I know I can't handle all the acid in regular vit-C. The majority of them contain very high levels of B Vitamins. After I drink a couple of these I actually feel energy. I use to drink caffeine when I was tired, but these actually give you more energy than caffeine. Just an idea

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted
  • Author

Thank you, Rebecca! I visited their website and will see if I can get them today. They have a list of retailers on their site, and a few of them are local. I know this is bad, but I usually eat the Flintstone's chewables... regular multi's are awfully strong and give me nausea.

If it weren't for celiac, I probably wouldn't be drinking coffee.

Oh... also on the Alacer website (on the faq's tab), they say that all of their vitamins are gluten-free! Yeah!

What's a good flavor?? They all look good.

Gretchen

hthorvald Rookie
hthorvald
Posted

I've been gluten free for 4 months now and my energy level is low. I keep hoping that it'll improve. I took b-12 shots before my diagnosis, but it didn't help. I might try again, though. My headaches are killer, but could be my body trying to adjust to no glutens. Quite a confusing time. So what's a cloud-head or cloud headache?

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

that's true! I sorta assumed you were taking plenty of viatmins. the B's definitely help, though I've been fine with oral and not needed to go with shots (best to take them with food, of course)

GEF Explorer
GEF
Posted
  • Author

I got a couple of boxes during lunch to try out... the raspberry & tropical fruit flavors. They were majorly on sale at the Vitamin Shoppe... like 40% off! I added a packet of the raspberry vitamin packet to my iced tea.. and it was good!!! I'm feeling pretty good today anyway, but I'm definitely going to try them out on my "down" days too to see if they help.

In regards to cloud-head, I believe it to be like a mental-exhaustion... where you feel in la-la land and have trouble concentrating, fatigued and listless or giddy.. it feels as if your head is in the clouds. I'm sure if a doctor heard me describe those symptoms, they'd say it was depression... I guess you can say it sort of feels like that. I'm not prone to headaches, but could be experiencing some gluten and/or caffeine withdrawals?

Gretchen

brehm48 Newbie
brehm48
Posted

Hey Gretchen,

I'm glad you got some vitamins. I think they will help a lot. I ussually take two to four packets everyday. The extra vitamin-C helps ward off colds, and the vitamins help me have energy. Most of the flavors are good it just depends on what you like. I don't really like that mixed berry one with Calcium but I still use it cause it's the only flavor with a lot of calcium. I don't know if you noticed but they all have a little bit different vitamins in them. There is one that has Glucosamine & Chondroitin, these are really good for your joints. I know that I read on one of these forums that some celiacs have joint problems. Also there is one that has MSM which is suppost to help with energy. Here is a very interesting article on this web site about the benefits of MSM.

Open Original Shared Link

:blink: About the cloudy head thing, I know what that feels like. I read in an article that the blood veins in your brain actually swell(ie bloating and swelling, leaky gut syndrome) up when you eat gluten and that is what causes ADD and Cloudy head. If I remember were I read the article I will post it.

Isn't it wonderful to have a day full of energy! If I had one majic wish it would be energy. :P

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Honestly, I think the cloudy-headedness is the opiate effect of the gluten when it hits the brain. It's just like high doses of codeine, which is also an opiate.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,331
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kristy2026
    Newest Member
    Kristy2026
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.