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B12 Deficiency In Untreated Celiac?

9na

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9na Rookie
9na
Posted

I was diagnosed vitamin D deficient about 6 months ago, and have been on supplements since. Two months ago I had great levels of D - I'm still on supplements, though.

I'm having a biopsy, probably in about a month.

Now, some of my symptoms could very well fit the description of B12 deficiency. I understand that this, just like Vitamin D deficinecy, is pretty common for celiacs/gluten intolerant.

B12 is suppose to be stored in the body for a long time, right. Well, I felt some improvement when I took quite large doses of B12, but two days ago I ran out, and today I feel several of the same symptoms. Is it possible that my body is unable to store the B12 as it is now? That I need to take them every day in large doses, until I can go gluten free?

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Diane-in-FL Explorer
Diane-in-FL
Posted

If you are still eating gluten, you probably are not absorbing the B12. Try the sublingual kind....they will get into your system better.

9na Rookie
9na
Posted
  • Author

If you are still eating gluten, you probably are not absorbing the B12. Try the sublingual kind....they will get into your system better.

I am still eating gluten - I have to until the biopsy is done.

The pills I've been taking are sublingual, and I'll be getting some more of those next week. Just wondering if it is possible that I need to take them every single day.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I am still eating gluten - I have to until the biopsy is done.

The pills I've been taking are sublingual, and I'll be getting some more of those next week. Just wondering if it is possible that I need to take them every single day.

Yes take them every day until you have been gluten free long enough to heal and to be able to absorb and utilize the B12 from regular supplements and your food. That may take awhile even after you stop eating gluten.

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

is it cyano or methyl? and if you are over 40 you may need to supplement in perpituity,

9na Rookie
9na
Posted
  • Author

is it cyano or methyl? and if you are over 40 you may need to supplement in perpituity,

They are methylcobalamin. And I'm not over 40 for another 9 years ;)

Judy3 Contributor
Judy3
Posted

I have to take my sublingual B12 everyday. If I miss a day, I get the sores on the corners of my mouth INSTANTLY. I've just resolved to take one every day from now on... and yes I'm over 40!!

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modiddly16 Enthusiast
modiddly16
Posted

I don' think that b12 deficiancy's really depend on whether you're eating gluten or not. I've been a celiac for 7 years and am very strict about my diet and I was just diagnosed with a b12 deficiancy a few months ago. "Normal" range is 200-900 and I was under 150, which the doctor called freakishly low...however, I was given no explaination as to why I was b12 deficiant or for how long I have been. I'm currently getting shots every 3 weeks before I get started on the pills.

9na Rookie
9na
Posted
  • Author

I don' think that b12 deficiancy's really depend on whether you're eating gluten or not. I've been a celiac for 7 years and am very strict about my diet and I was just diagnosed with a b12 deficiancy a few months ago. "Normal" range is 200-900 and I was under 150, which the doctor called freakishly low...however, I was given no explaination as to why I was b12 deficiant or for how long I have been. I'm currently getting shots every 3 weeks before I get started on the pills.

Of course one could be vitamin deficient without any celiac problem, but malnutrition often results in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as far as I know.

My B12 level hasn't been checked as far as I know, but I have also read that that is not necessary - it takes a loooong time of deficiency for it to show on a blood test, and also there is no harm in taking B12 even if one shouldn't need it.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I don' think that b12 deficiancy's really depend on whether you're eating gluten or not. I've been a celiac for 7 years and am very strict about my diet and I was just diagnosed with a b12 deficiancy a few months ago. "Normal" range is 200-900 and I was under 150, which the doctor called freakishly low...however, I was given no explaination as to why I was b12 deficiant or for how long I have been. I'm currently getting shots every 3 weeks before I get started on the pills.

There are some people that have something called pernicious (sp) anemia independant of celiac. For them their bodies don't make something called intrinsic factor. That factor is needed to be able to utilize B12 from food or supplements. They usually need supplementation by shots and/or sublinguals for life. Recent studies are showing that the lower level should be around 500. People are often symtomatic at under the 500 level.

You must have been feeling really off with levels that low. Glad your doctor caught it.

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