Blood Tests For Vitamins

[Emme999]

Hello. I just got home from the doctors where they took four HUGE vials of blood for vitamin testing. (okay, they weren't really *that* huge ) Has anyone else done this? What was the result?

My doctor kicks butt and is so on top of thing! She tested me today for magnesium, E, A, iron and hmm.. I think something else but I can't remember. We already know that my Vitamin D is low - it's still within the normal range but just barely.

I will let you know what I find out This should be interesting since my villi are "pretty flat" according to my gastroenterologist.

- Michelle

[lovegrov]

Probably tested you for a whole host of other things, including, I hope, B vitamins. Lack of B12 can be very bad. These tests should be standard for anybody with flattened villi, so it sounds like your doc is on top of things.

richard

[KaitiUSA]

I had those done before my diagnosis. At that point I had pretty much low in everything(except B vitamins)...looked like malnutrition.

Then I had a followup done after being gluten free and everything was within normal range

It's good your doc is running these tests for you.

[Emme999]

Oh ya! The other thing she tested for was B-12.

Kaiti - how long after you became gluten-free was the follow up test done?

[KaitiUSA]

I had one followup 6 months being gluten free and then another in march of this year(about 15 months after being gluten free) because I just saw an endocrinologist and she wanted an initial testing of all the vitamins and minerals and that good stuff.

Both the 6 month and 15 month were normal ranges.

[Carriefaith]

I had blood test(s) for vitamins and minerals ect. (I don't remember how many) but I had them done probably about 4-5 months after I started the gluten-free diet. Calcium was the only one that wasn't "excellent", it was just "ok" according to my GI.

[mytummyhurts]

I was deficient on B12 and I've been getting weekly shots for a month now. It has helped a lot with my energy level!

And it did seem like a lot of blood they had to draw. I remember they missed my vein and were moving the needle around in there. Ouch! Then they had to switch to the other arm to finish. I don't like having blood drawn anyways. (Like anybody does?)

[Guest Viola]

Mytummyhurts, did you know that there is a new treatment out for vitamin B12? It is a tiny pill that is put under the tongue like nitro, and it melts and enters the blood stream instantly. That way you are getting the B12 everyday instead of having the up of the shot, and a shortage at the end of the week. You might want to ask your doctor about it. I'm afraid I can't remember the name of it, as my mother is using it. She's doing much better on it than the shots.

[KaitiUSA]

Mytummyhurts, did you know that there is a new treatment out for vitamin B12? It is a tiny pill that is put under the tongue like nitro, and it melts and enters the blood stream instantly. That way you are getting the B12 everyday instead of having the up of the shot, and a shortage at the end of the week. You might want to ask your doctor about it. I'm afraid I can't remember the name of it, as my mother is using it. She's doing much better on it than the shots.

I have these little pills. They are supposed to be really good. This is the only thing I was not deficient on before going gluten free These are sublingual vitamins and enter your bloodstream directly and quickly. I get them over the counter at my health food store. I don't know if there is a different one that you must see your doctor about?

[Guest Viola]

In Canada at least, they are through your doctor, but may be over the counter in the US. When Mom phones (they are on holiday right now) I will get the name of them and let you know. Perhaps it is the same thing. I expect them to phone sometime next week. It does sound like the same thing though. Perhaps the dosage may differ.

[mytummyhurts]

Thanks Shirley. That would be good to know as it's kind of a pain to keep going to the doctor and paying my co-pay everytime! It's getting spendy!

[celiachap]

I've been using DaVinci Laboratories' Sublingual B12. I get it in the Vitaminshoppe store, and it's also available online.

[Anne Downs]

I am low in potassium. That is all that the tests turned up--just got out of the hospital--my internist thought my symptoms indicated heart attack. Turned out my heart is OK--don't know what all they tested but they took a lot of blood--will find out on Monday.

Am now taking magnesium to aid the potassium absorption, but still feeling weak (the main symptom of low potassium.)

How were your test results?

Good luck,

Anne

[Emme999]

Hmmm

Well, my test results came back and everything was within normal range.

I don't understand.

If all of my vitamin levels are normal - why do I have osteoporosis? Why aren't my bones getting enough calcium? What's up with that?

I have an appointment with an endocrinologist in August (supposedly the best in the state - took 4 months to get in!) and hopefully he will be able to tell me what's going on. *sigh*

This is so frustrating & scary. My grandmother has a horrible case of osteoporosis - broke 3 bones in her back last year when she coughed! She's 85 - but I fear that happening to me when I am 35! I've read that bones remineralize significantly after 2 years gluten-free, but... geez. I wish I could understand why this is happening. Isn't osteoporosis due to not receiving adequate levels of minerals? My calcium & magnesium levels are okay - my vitamin D was low but still within normal range... and I'm taking a multi-mineral bone supplement (complete with vit. D).

I did have the vitamin test after I'd been gluten-free for about 2 weeks, but I doubt that my body could have healed enough in that short of a period for me to be absorbing minerals at a normal rate.

Any ideas?

Thanks

- Michelle

[Anne Downs]

A doctor explained to me that vitamins and minerals are used up by the rest of the body (bones, organs, muscles, etc.) prior to there being a deficiency in the blood. Only 1% of the calcium in your body is in your blood.

Just googled an osteoporosis website Open Original Shared Link

On this site, they say that people with osteoporosis generally have normal calcium levels on their blood tests.

Wishing you the best of luck and hope you get effective treatment.

[Carriefaith]

If all of my vitamin levels are normal - why do I have osteoporosis? Why aren't my bones getting enough calcium? What's up with that?

maybe the osteoporosis occured before you went gluten free and your body is just going to need time to reverse the damage. Also liquid forms of calcium may be better for your body to absorb than solid forms.

Here is an interesting website I found:

Open Original Shared Link

Specifically, vitamin D may help to:

Prevent osteoporosis. The body cannot absorb calcium from food or supplements without an adequate intake of vitamin D. If calcium levels in the blood are too low, the body will steal the mineral from the bones and supply the muscles and nerves with the amount they need. Over time, the loss of calcium in the bones can lead to osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become porous and prone to fractures. After menopause, women are particularly at risk for developing this condition. Vitamin D taken along with calcium plays a critical role in maintaining bone density.

In a study of 176 men and 213 women over age 65 done at Tufts University, those who took 500 mg of calcium and 700 IU of vitamin D daily for three years experienced a decrease in bone density loss. Moreover, the incidence of fractures was cut in half. In another study, of 3,270 healthy elderly French women, a daily dietary supplement of 1,200 mg calcium plus 800 IU of vitamin D lowered the incidence of hip fractures by 43% in just two years.