Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Celiacs Absorbing Iron?


Sparkle1988

Recommended Posts

Sparkle1988 Rookie

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



jststric Contributor

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!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gfb1 Rookie
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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sparkle1988 Rookie

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ang1e0251 Contributor

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!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tarnalberry Community Regular

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lovegrov Collaborator
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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Sparkle1988 Rookie

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....

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sparkle1988 Rookie

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jkr Apprentice
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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sparkle1988 Rookie
Yes, that's what my doctor told me after my endoscopy was done last Wednesday.

Ok, thanks for your reply jkr :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,458
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    RUTHANN BRANOFF
    Newest Member
    RUTHANN BRANOFF
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):




  • Who's Online (See full list)


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      And the fact is, no two celiacs will necessarily respond the same to gluten exposure. Some are "silent" celiacs and don't experience obvious symptoms. But that doesn't mean no harm is being done to their gut. It just means it is subclinical. 
    • AlyO
      Thank you, Trents.  I appreciate your helpful and friendly reply. It seems more likely to be a bug.  It has been a pretty severe bought. I feel that I don’t have enough experience to know what signs my little one shows after exposure to gluten. 
    • trents
      Hannah24, be aware that if you are on a gluten free diet, you will invalidate any further testing for celiac disease (except genetics) and would need to go back to eating significant amounts of gluten for weeks or months to qualify for valid testing.
    • knitty kitty
      Hello, @Hannah24 Have you had a DNA test done?  Celiac Disease is genetic.  You must have at least one gene to develop celiac disease.  You don't have to be consuming gluten for a genetic test.   Anemia, diabetes and thiamine deficiency can cause false negatives.  Some lucky people are seronegative, but still have celiac disease.  Peripheral neuropathy, tingling in hands and feet are symptoms of vitamin deficiencies.  Vitamin C, Thiamine B1, Niacin B3, Pyridoxine B6, and Cobalamine B12 can each cause peripheral neuropathy.  These same vitamins are needed to produce blood cells.  Most undiagnosed Celiacs suffer from nutritional deficiencies. The DNA test would be helpful.
    • trents
      We do hear of cases of remission but they generally eventually revert back. I wouldn't push your luck.
×
×
  • Create New...