Does Celiac Lead To Vitamin Deficiencies?

[angel42]

Hi,

I am hoping someone can help me out. I know when you have Celiac your stomach can have trouble absorbing nutrients because of the damage caused by Celiac. Is it important that I supplement my diet to make up for any vitamin/nutrient defiencies caused by Celiac? I posted this before but I didn't hear from anyone so I wanted to try again.

Can anyone help?

[ENF]

Hi,

I am hoping someone can help me out. I know when you have Celiac your stomach can have trouble absorbing nutrients because of the damage caused by Celiac. Is it important that I supplement my diet to make up for any vitamin/nutrient defiencies caused by Celiac? I posted this before but I didn't hear from anyone so I wanted to try again.

Can anyone help?

There could be several answers to this question. If you have villi damage that is still healing, then you're probably better off taking vitamins and supplements. If you are talking about deficiencies due to a limited diet with Celiac, then it would probably be a good idea to take supplements along with your meals as well.

[jerseyangel]

Hi,

I am hoping someone can help me out. I know when you have Celiac your stomach can have trouble absorbing nutrients because of the damage caused by Celiac. Is it important that I supplement my diet to make up for any vitamin/nutrient defiencies caused by Celiac? I posted this before but I didn't hear from anyone so I wanted to try again.

Can anyone help?

Hi angel42,

When we have Celiac, our small intestine gets damaged whenever we eat gluten (not our stomach). It is in the small intestine that we absorb vitamins and minerals from the foods we eat.

Many of us choose to take a multivitamin as kind of insurance--especially at the beginning of the gluten-free diet. There may be damage that will take some time to heal at this point. You can also be tested for certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies if you are having symptoms.

As your intestine heals, you should be absorbing more of the nutrients from your foods.

I hope this helps, and I'm sorry that you didn't get any answers the first time I'm glad you asked again!

[Ursa Major]

Yes, celiac disease will cause malabsorption of essential nutrients, which include vitamins and minerals. It is probably a good idea to take a gluten-free multivitamin (make sure the vitamin E is not derived from wheat germ).

But if you have severe deficiencies, just a multi won't do the job. It is advisable for all new celiacs to be tested for deficiencies. An iron deficiency is very common, so your ferritin and hemoglobin should be tested. Osteoporosis is a common problem with people with celiac disease, caused by a deficiency especially of vitamin D, calcium and magnesium. Therefore it is a good idea to have a bone density scan, no matter your age (even children with celiac disease can have osteoporosis already), and to be tested for levels of vitamin D and calcium and magnesium. You should also have your levels of vitamin B12, A and K checked.

Once you know what you are/aren't deficient in, you can tailor your vitamin intake to your needs.

[dionnek]

Yes. I did some research on this when I was dx in May and found that celiacs are usually deficient in B12 and folic acid (along with iron, Vit D, and calcium, to mention just a few). I knew that I was anemic and my calcium and Vit. D levels had been low for some time, so I was already supplementing those and was also taking a multivitiamin, but with my dx I also stared B12 and folate/folic acid, and soon after going gluten-free my levels were back up and my muscle cramps stopped (I used to get excruciating muscle cramps in my legs and feet all the time - now I know that's b/c my body wasn't absorbing anything!). Now that my villi have healed (or nearly healed), I can absord the stuff that I eat so I've stopped taking the B12 and folic acid and iron (those levels are normal now), but still take calcium/D and a multi. You should have all these things checked periodically - I have Hashimotos and am now pregnant, so I get my blood tested about every 3 weeks! (not by choice).