Jump to content

  • You are not alone. Join Celiac.com for trusted gluten-free answers and forum support.



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

Celiacs Absorbing Iron?

Sparkle1988

Recommended Posts

Sparkle1988 Rookie
Sparkle1988
Posted

Hi

This may seem like a silly question, but can someone with celiac disease absorb iron in tablet form?

The reason I am asking is that I have loads of symptoms which would point to celiac, but I remember that a few years ago when my iron was at its lowest point, I was able to get my iron level back up again with a couple of month supply of iron tablets. Is it possible for this to happen with a person who has celiac?

I am getting my biopsy done on Friday to test for celiac.

Thanks

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jststric Contributor
jststric
Posted

Interesting correlation! I used to have a very healthy iron level and donated blood regularly. But two or three years prior to discovering I was gluten-intolerant, my iron level started dropping and I can no longer donate blood. My doc says its not anemic, but runs on the very low side of normal. She had me taking an iron supplement but I eventually had to stop because I discovered it had milk in it and I'm also dairy-intolerant. I recently discovered Kirkman Labs, an online vitamin/supplement company that makes gluten-free,dairy-free, allergen-free products and ordered some of their liquid iron. My doc prescribed that I take double the amount called for to see if it will build me back up some. I never would have thought of my iron issues being correlated with my gluten issues, though. I don't think my doc has made that connection either. But its certainly worth exploring! Let us know what you find out!!

gfb1 Rookie
gfb1
Posted
Hi

This may seem like a silly question, but can someone with celiac disease absorb iron in tablet form?

The reason I am asking is that I have loads of symptoms which would point to celiac, but I remember that a few years ago when my iron was at its lowest point, I was able to get my iron level back up again with a couple of month supply of iron tablets. Is it possible for this to happen with a person who has celiac?

I am getting my biopsy done on Friday to test for celiac.

Thanks

my wife has had to have parenteral iron (i.e., iron infusions) for the last 6.5 yrs to keep fe, ferritin, & hb levels up to normal. for some unknown reason, although she has been diagnosed as being celiac for ~10 yrs and her gi tract is apparently 'healed' - she has been unable to absorb iron normally.

this may have had something to do with her having manganese poisoning due to intake of herbal supplements and vitamins around the same time (a very long story, i'm afraid), but has lasted well beyond the resolution of that issue. we have gotten the timing of her infusions to approx once every 6-8 wks.

curiously, after moving out of state, it has been 9 wks since her last iron infusion, her blood levels are well within normal ranges, and our 'new' doc is suggesting waiting a few more weeks, then do a blood test to determine if the malabsorption issues have resolved themselves.

i do NOT recommend this for everyone/anyone, as regular infusions carry significant risk (even in the doctors office). but we exhausted all other possibilities and infusions remained as 'the answer' (for her). as to whether this is celiac related, nutritional issue -- or something completely different -- i haven't a clue.

Sparkle1988 Rookie
Sparkle1988
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for your replies guys.

I'm just wondering if Celiac Disease would be ruled out of the list of possiblities for me as I managed to absorb iron tablets a few of years back? (when my symptoms starting gradually getting worse)

Thanks

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

I don't think you can make that leap in reasoning as each person with celiac disease is so different. I don't really think that the medical community has a good handle on malabsorption; how exactly it works and how each person responds to it. It would make it easier if we could just plug into a computer for diagnostics like we do our cars!

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

no, being able to absorb iron tablets does not rule out celiac.

many celiacs are NOT iron deficient, or B-vit deficient, or calcium deficient, or vit-D deficient... the damage can be spotty, and is not uniform in how is affects absorption. it may have played a role in why you were unable to absorb enough iron from your regular diet, and had to take higher potency pills in order to make your iron go up.

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted
Thanks for your replies guys.

I'm just wondering if Celiac Disease would be ruled out of the list of possiblities for me as I managed to absorb iron tablets a few of years back? (when my symptoms starting gradually getting worse)

Thanks

Definitely not.

richard

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Sparkle1988 Rookie
Sparkle1988
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for all your replies guys!

I get my biopsy tomorrow morning so I will let you know how it goes. I'm a bit worried in case they find nothing....

Sparkle1988 Rookie
Sparkle1988
Posted
  • Author

Hi again

Just thought I would let you know that my biopsy wen really well yesterday. I have still got a sore throat though. My results are going to take 3 weeks which sucks! I just want to know.....

Once my biopsy was done, the doctors couldn't tell me anything about what they seen, they said that they can't tell until the results come through. Is it normal for them not to know roughly what they saw?

Thanks

jkr Apprentice
jkr
Posted
Hi again

Just thought I would let you know that my biopsy wen really well yesterday. I have still got a sore throat though. My results are going to take 3 weeks which sucks! I just want to know.....

Once my biopsy was done, the doctors couldn't tell me anything about what they seen, they said that they can't tell until the results come through. Is it normal for them not to know roughly what they saw?

Thanks

Yes, that's what my doctor told me after my endoscopy was done last Wednesday.

Sparkle1988 Rookie
Sparkle1988
Posted
  • Author
Yes, that's what my doctor told me after my endoscopy was done last Wednesday.

Ok, thanks for your reply jkr :)

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

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



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Anyone else get a lot of upper respiratory infections?

      Definitely worth speaking to your gastroenterologist about this. My own told me that by using Gaviscon a barrier forms over the contents of the stomach and stops gas and acid irritating the throat. In fact, he said to me that because I found relief using Gaviscon that was a very clear indicator that reflux was the cause of that particular issue. A wedge...
    2. HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour
      - HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour replied to HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Anyone else get a lot of upper respiratory infections?

      I did get the pneumonia vaccine about 4 years ago. I had this amazing allergist who did all those vitamin deficiencies test and told to get that vaccine. Unfortunately she retired. I haven’t been to an allergist in a few years, I’m not sure what my levels are now. I did have a pulmonologist who wasn’t concern and said I seemed fine to him that I was young...
    3. HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour
      - HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour replied to HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Anyone else get a lot of upper respiratory infections?

      Yes I do have acid reflux. I’m not on anything for it at the moment. I sometimes wonder if that’s what it could be because I get heart burn every night. I may revisit my gastrointestinal doctor again. Thanks for the reply
    4. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Anyone else get a lot of upper respiratory infections?

      Hi @HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour I wonder if you suffer from reflux, as if you do, you may find it could also be irritating your airways. I shall explain: I have to use a blue inhaler from time to time, and it seems to be related to reflux. Never had any trouble before my coeliac diagnosis, the reflux seemed to be something that developed following...
    5. trents
      - trents replied to HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Anyone else get a lot of upper respiratory infections?

      Since initially getting your D checked a few years ago, has it since rebounded to normal levels? Sounds like at some point you got it checked again.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,125
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    psasso76
    Newest Member
    psasso76
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Anyone else get a lot of upper respiratory infections?

      By cristiana · Posted

      Definitely worth speaking to your gastroenterologist about this. My own told me that by using Gaviscon a barrier forms over the contents of the stomach and stops gas and acid irritating the throat.  In fact, he said to me that because I found relief using Gaviscon that was a very clear indicator that reflux was the cause of that particular issue.   A wedge pillow will really help with this - or raising the top bed legs with bricks.
    • HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour
      Anyone else get a lot of upper respiratory infections?

      By HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour · Posted

      I did get the pneumonia vaccine about 4 years ago. I had this amazing allergist who did all those vitamin deficiencies test and told to get that vaccine. Unfortunately she retired.  I haven’t been to an allergist in a few years,  I’m not sure what my levels are now. I did have a pulmonologist who wasn’t concern and said I seemed fine to him that I was young etc. But yes I think I should at the very least get a different opinion. Thank you for your reply 
    • HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour
      Anyone else get a lot of upper respiratory infections?

      By HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour · Posted

      Yes I do have acid reflux. I’m not on anything for it at the moment. I sometimes wonder if that’s what it could be because I get heart burn every night. I may revisit my gastrointestinal doctor again. Thanks for the reply  
    • cristiana
      Anyone else get a lot of upper respiratory infections?

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @HelloFlowersGoodbyeFlour I wonder if you suffer from reflux, as if you do, you may find it could also be irritating your airways.  I shall explain: I have to use a blue inhaler from time to time, and it seems to be related to reflux.  Never had any trouble before my coeliac diagnosis, the reflux seemed to be something that developed following a holiday to France in 2019, where I had been exposed to gluten.    The reflux continued into the autumn and winter, my throat itched to begin with, particularly after meals, but it then that feeling of irritation seemed to spread to my lungs.  I even found it difficult to breathe on occasion. What stopped it in its tracks was using a wedge pillow at night, following a reflux diet (you can find them online), not eating 2-4 hours before bed and also having a dose of Gaviscon Advanced at night, which forms a barrier so that acid/food can't go back up your esophagus.  The throat irritation faded, and then I found it easier to breathe again. Just mentioning in case it could be a contributing factor.
    • trents
      Anyone else get a lot of upper respiratory infections?

      By trents · Posted

      Since initially getting your D checked a few years ago, has it since rebounded to normal levels? Sounds like at some point you got it checked again.
×
×
  • Create New...