Vitamin Question

[OBXMom]

I've read a lot here about adult celiacs and vitamin supplements, but I am reluctant to apply these things to my 8 year old. I have mentioned to our pediatrician and two specialists that I'd like to have his blood levels checked for nutrients, and they all say hmmm and don't do it. Maybe I'm not asking the right way or being persistent enough.

Last week it seemed like he was becoming weaker and weaker, and I was so worried. Then we found out about a children's vitamin he can tolerate, Nature's Plus Animal Parade hypo-allergenic and I began to give him the dosage twice a day, feeling like he has some catching up to do. His energy level has definitely increased. My son read on the bottle that it provides natural energy and said, it's working! (He's still in pain, but that's a different issue.)

My questions are: Since the vitamins are helping, should I still pursue the blood tests? If so, what do I ask for? Are there any other supplements besides a multi-vitamin that a 55 pound child with celiac should take, even without testing? Also, I am planning to give my son twice the dosage of the multi-vitamin for one week, then return to the regular dosage - if anyone has any opinions on that I'd love to hear them, too.

[shayesmom]

I've read a lot here about adult celiacs and vitamin supplements, but I am reluctant to apply these things to my 8 year old. I have mentioned to our pediatrician and two specialists that I'd like to have his blood levels checked for nutrients, and they all say hmmm and don't do it. Maybe I'm not asking the right way or being persistent enough.

Last week it seemed like he was becoming weaker and weaker, and I was so worried. Then we found out about a children's vitamin he can tolerate, Nature's Plus Animal Parade hypo-allergenic and I began to give him the dosage twice a day, feeling like he has some catching up to do. His energy level has definitely increased. My son read on the bottle that it provides natural energy and said, it's working! (He's still in pain, but that's a different issue.)

My questions are: Since the vitamins are helping, should I still pursue the blood tests? If so, what do I ask for? Are there any other supplements besides a multi-vitamin that a 55 pound child with celiac should take, even without testing? Also, I am planning to give my son twice the dosage of the multi-vitamin for one week, then return to the regular dosage - if anyone has any opinions on that I'd love to hear them, too.

It has been my experience that conventional doctors really have no clue about vitamins and supplements. At best, they'll prescribe your son a multi-vitamin (Poly vi-sol with fluoride) and they honestly believe that this is the best out there. I have not personally met a physician who understands vitamins are best if whole-food based and that fluoride isn't good for human consumption. You *may* get somewhere on having nutrient levels checked though....and I would pursue it...AFTER I looked into other potential food intolerances at work. Dairy can block iron absorption and soy can block calcium absorption as well as create a B-12 deficiency (it raises the body's need for B-12).

The observation of your son getting "weaker and weaker" is concerning. Either he has other food allergies/intolerance, has nutritional deficiencies to overcome from villi damage, or he's not getting the nutrients that he needs to heal from diet. You may end up having to determine this on your own. Or, you may need to compliment his care with a naturopathic doctor. In all honesty, a naturopath or homeopath may be better suited to determining what vitamins and/or supplements would be best for your son. Most will tell you to supplement with 3 things. A good multi-vitamin (Animal Parade is on that list), a good omega (like Nordic Naturals DHA) and a good probiotic (Metagenics Ultra Flora plus DF). They will also tell you to steer clear of refined sugar, processed foods, synthetic chemical ingredients, and hydrogenated oils. All of these interfere in healing.

Also, I really wouldn't recommend doubling up on vitamins to "catch up" with anything. Some vitamins are water soluble and others are fat soluble. Overdosing on fat soluble vitamins can create dangerous toxicities in the body that can land you in the hospital. It would be helpful to know if he has active deficiencies before doubling up on the vitamins. At least then you'd know what he needs and then you can determine how to get it to him.

Good luck with your son!

[RiceGuy]

The only doctors I ever knew who had a clue about nutrients where the less "conventional" ones. Like chiropractors, nutritionists, acupuncturists, etc. It is only in the offices of those types that I ever saw a shelf of supplements. If you have a really good health store, someone there might be more knowledgeable about supplements than a "regular" doctor.

[OBXMom]

Thank you for your help, Vicky & RiceGuy. I think you are both right that I should seek some expert advice outside of the traditional medical field. We have seen 2 nutritionists & haven't gotten a lot of help, although to be fair, the second one did find the vitamins he can tolerate, plus wants us to do some liquid supplementation I haven't been able to entice him to drink yet - but I ordered a new flavor and am still hopeful.

Vicky, you are so right that I need to get to the bottom of my son's issues. We already are avoiding soy, dairy, corn & eggs, but it may be that there are more foods causing him problems, and I appreciated hearing about the oils & sugars - he doesn't get much of these, but I haven't been actively avoiding them, either. A week from today he is scheduled for an upper endoscopy, as his doctor thinks he may have eosinophilic eosophagitis. So hopefully we'll get some answers then.

Thanks again to you both, and RiceGuy, I bought some fresh peas today and am just getting around to trying your idea of munching them fresh together for a snack. Wish us luck!

[holiday16]

We've done alot with supplements with my son. I don't have much time, but you're welcome to e-mail me at paulette at thehealthexpress.com He has a heart defect so everything he takes is pretty much monitored by Drs. as far as safety. The bloodtests are frustrating to try and get ordered sometimes. My son was also diagnosed with eosophagitis. He's 11 now, but we've been supplementing with him literally since he came home from the hospital after his first open heart. We were concerned because our sons energy was decreasing and we pinned it down to gluten. There are things he can take to make him feel better faster.