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B12 And Celiacs

I hate gluten

By I hate gluten
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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I hate gluten Apprentice
I hate gluten
Posted

Is a b-12 deficiency normal with Celiacs?

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Tallforagirl Rookie
Tallforagirl
Posted
Is a b-12 deficiency normal with Celiacs?

It's not the most common vitamin deficiency amongst celiacs, but mine was on the low end of normal.

Lovey25 Rookie
Lovey25
Posted
Is a b-12 deficiency normal with Celiacs?

I don't know, but I'm convinced I have one -- and have been convinced of it for a very long time. I've been taking a vit B complex pill for a few months now to no avail. :(

labbott Newbie
labbott
Posted

yes, b12 deficiency is very common for us. I had to take sublingual methlycobalamin in order to get my levels up. Just taking sublingual cyanocobalmin didn't help me.

Mother of Jibril Enthusiast
Mother of Jibril
Posted
I don't know, but I'm convinced I have one -- and have been convinced of it for a very long time. I've been taking a vit B complex pill for a few months now to no avail. :(

It would really be a good idea to get your level checked and track what happens over the next few months (if you are deficient). People with pernicious anemia... another autoimmune disorder that tends to cluster with celiac disease... are unable to absorb B-12 through their stomach. From what I understand there are two solutions to this: either take it sublingually (letting the B-12 dissolve under your tongue so it goes straight into your bloodstream) or get regular B-12 injections.

If you have PA, even huge doses of regular supplements wouldn't help!

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

I tried the sublingual B12 because I suspected I was deficient, but had a reaction to something in it. I then had to convince my PCP that I was deficient. I was low normal in September, 10 mos after going gluten free. Just had it rechecked and both my B12 and folate levels have dropped since Sept., B12 barely normal and folate now below, so I am finally going to be getting B12 shots, and a folate prescription, along with a B vitamin supplement. However, the pharmacist just called and can't find any gluten free folate at the levels prescribed. Gluten free meds are a big problem here :( I may just have to take multiple tabs of a lower dose. I am hoping with these three supplements I will start feeling less lethargic :P The good news is that my Vitamin D levels have come up a lot with supplements.

I have to tell my doc everything I need because she doesn't know much about celiac. My next task is to work on her about my thyroid--one thing at a time!!

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

The areas in the small intestine that gets damaged by celiac are the same areas that our body needs to absorb and utilize B12. So a B12 deficiency is not uncommon with celiacs. The supplements in pill form that you swallow are not able to be used by the body until we heal. For that reason we need to use sublingual forms to get this vitamin. B12 can cross the mucousal tissues in the mouth and bypassing the gut gets it into the body. B12 is also stored by the body and it can take some time after we stop utilizing it before this will show up in blood work. Taking a supplement with folate can also make the B12 show falsely high levels. It is a vitamin that has no toxic levels and supplementing with the sublinguals will not hurt you. If you are having indications that B12 is needed, commonly nerve issues like tingling in the hands or feet, you would be wise to pick some up.

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I hate gluten Apprentice
I hate gluten
Posted
  • Author

I started the celiac diet before testing, I did not care if the test was neg or not. The diet helped tremendously. So I headed to the doc one week later (last week) and gave him a list of blood work i wanted ran. He told me that vit deficiencys only happen in menopause woman and geriatrics. (im 28), Got a phone call today that all my test came back normal not spuprised. But my b12 was so low they did not know how I was walking or not neurologic by now. Scary. So I have to start injections. Asking what could cause it they said it was just diet realated! WHATEVER I told them I am far from a vegatarian and that I crave meat and my diet is very similar to the south beach/ atkins. (supossedly b12 in food relation is from not enough protein, and I sooooo do not have that problem) So I will get the injection today and have my blood monitored from there. Sounds fishy to me, need to do some more research into it any ideas where to start?

Marcydawns Newbie
Marcydawns
Posted
I started the celiac diet before testing, I did not care if the test was neg or not. The diet helped tremendously. So I headed to the doc one week later (last week) and gave him a list of blood work i wanted ran. He told me that vit deficiencys only happen in menopause woman and geriatrics. (im 28)

I am 28 as well. I have a b-12 deficiency. I had to get injections and now I take a 2500mcg sublingual every day (nature's bounty is the only brand that makes it). I just don't get where some doctors get their ideas from!

I am also severly iron deficient... that is also normal with Celiac.

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted
I started the celiac diet before testing, I did not care if the test was neg or not. The diet helped tremendously. So I headed to the doc one week later (last week) and gave him a list of blood work i wanted ran. He told me that vit deficiencys only happen in menopause woman and geriatrics. (im 28), Got a phone call today that all my test came back normal not spuprised. But my b12 was so low they did not know how I was walking or not neurologic by now. Scary. So I have to start injections. Asking what could cause it they said it was just diet realated! WHATEVER I told them I am far from a vegatarian and that I crave meat and my diet is very similar to the south beach/ atkins. (supossedly b12 in food relation is from not enough protein, and I sooooo do not have that problem) So I will get the injection today and have my blood monitored from there. Sounds fishy to me, need to do some more research into it any ideas where to start?

If you're still healing, it may just take more time for the digestive system to derive enough B12 from food. The shots should help get your levels up much more quickly than they would on their own. From what I've read, the body will rob organs and tissues of B12 in order to keep blood levels up, which it seems may be one reason why many find supplementation helpful even when blood tests say it's in the normal range.

One area to start researching might be Pernicious Anemia. Even if your intestines can do their job, if the stomach can't produce sufficient amounts of what they call Intrinsic Factor, you can't absorb adequate B12 from foods. This condition can develop from a few things, including prolonged antacid use. Supposedly, it is permanent.

Also, look up Apple Cider Vinegar. This can help the stomach, though I'm not sure if Pernicious Anemia can be repaired. Make sure it's Raw, Unpasteurized, and Unfiltered.

Another thing that may help is betaine HCL w/pepsin. If you have poor digestion and heartburn, it can help improve them.

harp1 Apprentice
harp1
Posted

I have the tingling and numbness in my hands (musician-a problem) so I'm taking B12 shots for that and magnesium shots for my tremor, makes a big difference. My endochrinologist sells the viols for the shots (I'll have a friend help me out). PM me if you want more info. Also taking B12 orally. Susan

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    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

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