Clould This Be The Answer?!

[bakingbarb]

Celiac untreated causes malabsorption, which leads to vitamin deficiencies. Without B12 you have malabsorption issues, which leads to the BIG D. The BIG D leads to more malabsorption and the vicious cycle goes on and on and on...

SO I started taking the sub-lingual B at the beginning of this week and this is the first time I haven't had the BIG D every dang day. I am on the verge of being excited. Here all this time I have been looking for what else might I be allergic to, or what food has wheat hidden in it (chips for example) and so on. I was sitting in front of the computer crying and just about to give up on a solution. Instead I looked for one more thing and found about about the B12 and away we go....

It is too soon to say this is the answer but I am so hopeful and am going to the Dr pretty soon. A new Dr because the last one didn't do anything regarding the Celiac.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

That's very interesting, Barb, thanks for posting it.

Are there any easily absorbable food sources of B12, or is sub-lingual B12 the only option?

[RiceGuy]

Are there any easily absorbable food sources of B12, or is sub-lingual B12 the only option?

Unfortunately not. B12 from food requires various parts of the digestive system to get digested and absorbed. While I'm sure there's more to it than what I've read, I do know it takes something called Intrinsic Factor, which is produced by the stomach. Antacids (and some other things) can decrease or destroy the stomach's ability to produce Intrinsic Factor, which would mean supplementation for life. However, it's more complicated than that, because the intestines have to do their job, so that the B12 can get absorbed into the bloodstream. From there it goes to the liver, which makes the final conversion to the forms that the body requires.

So basically, the sublingual B12 bypasses this entire process, getting B12 in useful form straight into the bloodstream. If you take methylcobalamin, it will not require conversion by the liver either. Though the most common form being sold is cyanocobalamin, which does require the liver, and unfortunatelly contains cyanide as the coenzyme

That's basically what I know about the assimilation of B12.

I am wondering though, if some other ingredient in the sublingual is causing a slight slowdown in digestion, stopping the big D like Imodium or something. My sublingual has no such effect. But I can certainly accept that perhaps you just needed the supplement, and I hope that's what it is.

[bakingbarb]

That's very interesting, Barb, thanks for posting it.

Are there any easily absorbable food sources of B12, or is sub-lingual B12 the only option?

The issue is in the stomach so this bypasses that issue, I have read this is as effective as the shots.

The Dr visit was interesting. She did blood work and I am low in my D and my B was high because I am taking the sublingual. I don't know what anything else was because she didn't mention it over the phone. When I go see her I will find out the rest.

Interestingly enough I like her but the food allergy testing came back and it said I am not allergic to wheat so I don't have Celiac but I am still unable to digest it thats all. SIGH I really like her and I am hoping she educates her self more regarding the Celiac.

I have found there are all kinds of "clinics" out there that would probably be great for someone with Celiac but they never take insurance. Whats with that?

There is an IBS clinic in Seattle and one that tests for stomach acid too high or too low and treats for nutritional deficiencies but none of them take insurance. I understand its easier for them but expect us to pay cash upfront. Hmm that won't work for me!

[rumbles]

Celiac isn't an allergy to wheat. Allergy testing will not tell if someone

has or doesn't have celiac disease. If the doctor is telling you that you

don't have celiac disease because you don't have an allergy to wheat,

you might want to consider looking for another doctor.

Some of us call celiac an allergy (usually when ordering food) because

allergies are something that most people in the foodservice business

understand without us having to give a long explanation that they probably

wouldn't either believe or understand. It's used as a bit of a fib to keep us

from getting glutened.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

the food allergy testing came back and it said I am not allergic to wheat so I don't have Celiac

Celiac is NOT a food allergy! It's not an allergy at all, but an autoimmune response, where the immune system is triggered by gluten to attack YOU (intestines, joints, skin, thyroid, brain, pancreas, etc.).

Allergy testing shows if you are allergic to something, not if you have a dangerous autoimmune response to it. You need a celiac panel (bloodwork). Please see www.celiac.com for the info.

[ang1e0251]

There are three issues with wheat. It took me a long time to wrap my brain around it.

Wheat allergy; those tests you took to see if you had a histamine reaction to wheat. You know, like you might have to ragweed? You tested negative, no histamine reaction. You are not allergic.

Celiac disease; you start with a blood panel for celiac disease, just as the other posters referenced. This measures your autoimmune response. If this is positive, you may be referred for an endoscopy of the small intestine. If performed and read correctly, this should show any villi damage you may have. Damaged villi warrent the dx of celiac disease. Warning!!! Here is where it gets tricky!! Many blood panels have false negatives, in other words, you show negative but still have celiac disease. You could also have the endoscopy and show negative but still have a problem.

Gluten Intolerance; some believe this is the precursor of celiac disease. You can't tolerate gluten but you haven't enough damage to show on the endoscopy. The problem is you still can't tolerate gluten and can't prove it except through elimination diet. Your dr has to really work with you on that. The thing is the treament for celiac disease & gluten intolerance is the same; GFD for life.

So no matter what, you need to stay gluten-free if gluten makes you sick. If you opt for more testing, keep eating gluten or you will definately test negative.

I hope this helps. It is tough to understand but you need to do your best to get it because there are many dr's out there who don't and you have to stand up for yourself with them. Get what you need to get healthy and remember that we are here for you!!