Jump to content

  • 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:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Vitamin Deficiency Testing

Merika

By Merika
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Merika Contributor
Merika
Posted

I have noticed a lot of folks on this board say they are deficient in vitamin x or y. How did you all find this out? Where did you have tests run?

Other than for B12 (shots) what can be done other than time and gut healing for better nutrition? Did you find it was worthwhile?

Thanks,

Merika

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted

Merika,

I was wondering the same thing. Is this a standard test or what? I've only had my B12 checked. I asked my doc about vit/min screening last week and he didnt know...said he had to look it up.

-Rachel

KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

The doctor can do blood tests to check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

If you are deficient, like I was, I found that liquid vitamins worked well because of the way they are absorbed. Also, certain supplements can help with gut healing too.

I chose a different route then B12 shots. I took sublingual B12 vitamins.

Merika Contributor
Merika
Posted
  • Author

So is this just a regular MD doctor who tests for b12? Is it a blood draw into a test tube type of test?

Kaiti, how long did you take the vitamins for? Did you retest and find yourself in the normal range later? Are the sublingual vitamins of a modest portion of the USRDA of vitamins - like 10-100% or are they like health food store vitamins which often contain 2000% of a vitamin?

Thanks,

Merika

KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

I'm still on vitamins and will continue to take them because I think they help boost my immunity but my levels went back to normal after getting on vitamins for a few months.

Pre gluten free I was deficient in pretty much everything except B12 because I took them sublingually before.

I got retested last August after going gluten free in January of 2004 and all my levels were back up. I was also tested again in January of this year and my levels were still good :D They still like to monitor it every now and then.

I just got a regular blood test to test for the vitamins...they may have other ways to but I got mine done through a blood test and my regular doctor ordered it done.

I am not sure of the amount of what's in the B12 vitamin but I can check..it's very small and it has a good flavor and you just keep it under your tongue till its dissolved(although I tend to chew it after it's under my tongue for a few minutes)

I guess if you are super low then shots would make sense though until you can get them up.

Let me know if I can help you at all with info.

drewsant Rookie
drewsant
Posted

My Dr ordered blood tests to check for any deficiencies when he ordered the blood tests for Celiac. He knew that one of the indicators for Celiac is being deficient in vitamins/minerals. I am low in folic acid, so he put me on prenatal vitamins--which I haven't filled yet because I can't afford to until I get paid next week--hopefully they'll help to make me feel better. :(

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted

What is wrong with my doctor???? I've asked him for this test 3 times now and he just looks at me blankly. He has no clue what this test is...keeps saying he needs to look it up. I told him its a standard test...any doctor can order it. He said its not a test hes ever heard of. Now suppossedly he's going to ask the nutritionist about it. I'm so angry with my HMO...they cant seem to get anything right. I've seen lots of doctors and this guys actually the BEST I've seen...how sad is that! He also ordered the wrong tests for celiac disease last year and because of his mistake I never got the full panel done + he said it was ok not to be on gluten at time of testing. Anyways I'm getting out and finding a real doc ASAP. Sorry just needed to vent...anyone else having trouble getting the vit/min test?

-Rachel

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


emeraldskies Rookie
emeraldskies
Posted
What is wrong with my doctor???? I've asked him for this test 3 times now and he just looks at me blankly. He has no clue what this test is...keeps saying he needs to look it up. I told him its a standard test...any doctor can order it. He said its not a test hes ever heard of. Now suppossedly he's going to ask the nutritionist about it. I'm so angry with my HMO...they cant seem to get anything right.  I've seen lots of doctors and this guys actually the BEST I've seen...how sad is that!  He also ordered the wrong tests for celiac disease last year and because of his mistake I never got the full panel done + he said it was ok not to be on gluten at time of testing. Anyways I'm getting out and finding a real doc ASAP. Sorry just needed to vent...anyone else having trouble getting the vit/min test?

-Rachel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've been having a similar problem. I've wanted my vitamin and mineral levels to be tested for quite some time, but since I haven't found anyone who will perform the tests for me, I've been leaving my body in a horrible state where I am avoiding taking any vitamins because I don't want to mess up the tests. So, I continue to get worse. Before I was diagnosed, I at least had a daily multivitamin and B-complex (and occasionally calcium and vitamin E). I feel since I have had legitimate disorders that have been repeatedly blown off, and since my body tends to have an extreme reaction to little things (for example, when I had appendicitis, I had pain in all of the expected areas, so they went ahead with the appendectomy. When the surgeon saw my appendix, he was sure it was actually healthy, so he looked around in my abdomen for our possible causes of the vomiting and pain. When they did the pathology report, they saw that I did have appendicitis, but it wasn't obvious from just looking at the organ. Also, I've had severe reactions to half the starting dosage of many meds), I need the test results to be off the scale so I will be taken seriously and believed. If I take the vitamins, I may end up not being deficient on the tests, and everyone will say, "See, we told you that you were making it up."

I am not getting any help at all, though, and in fact, I am feeling worse and worse, so I can't neglect this any longer. I researched the tests, and I found ones that I am going to order myself. I have taken several tests from this organization before, and it is pretty convenient to do so. They have an agreement with one or more clinics in many cities in each state (this is in the US) where you can go and have your blood drawn, and you can have the results e-mailed to you. There are many tests that they offer, and there are many more not listed that you can call them about to see if they have them if they are not listed on the site. Things that you should definitely have tested are the vitamins A, D, E, and K, all B vitamins, magnesium, and calcium (and maybe iron). There are also other suggestions on the site for celiac disease (such as CBC, CMP, etc, which are very common tests that doctors order all of the time for non-celiacs. It seems like your doctor is just being difficult. Doctors treat me the same way everywhere I go). Here are the recommendations for celiac disease: Open Original Shared Link

Also, here are the tests for malnutrition: Open Original Shared Link

After I get the test results back, I will start taking my vitamins again. This probably won't mess up my future bone scans because my bones are obviously curved and that's not going to change until I get treatment.

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted

Emeraldskies,

I'm glad you found a place to get these tests done. Hopefully you can get the results back soon so you can start to feel better. I hope you're not letting yourself suffer just so you can prove something to your docs though. Were you taking vitamins before and did you feel better? I was taking supplements but was getting worse...they had gluten and that was one of several things that led me to get retested for celiac disease. I just dont know what I need to be taking right now or if I need to take anything at all. I had to call and complain about my doctor and this usually gets some results...at least he called me back. I don't think he's trying to be difficult I just think he really does not know very much at all which is kinda scary since he IS my doctor :unsure:

Thanks for the links...I'll probably have to end up printing something out and giving it to him so he knows what tests to order. I've had to do this in the past with him. If my Enterolab comes back positive my doc will accept that as a diagnosis...I'm thinking the GI doc probably will be less enthusiastic though.

I'm sorry you're going through so much right now...hopefully you will get better soon!

Thanks again

-Rachel

Nevadan Contributor
Nevadan
Posted

Regarding tests and labs, I too find Labtestsonline.com to be a good source of information on specific tests. Also if you have a Quest Diagnostics Lab, Inc nearby, they have an affliate, Questest, that provides patient ordered testing in most of the states they operate in. You can view the available tests at Open Original Shared Link

George

emeraldskies Rookie
emeraldskies
Posted

Whoops, Lab Tests Online has a lot of good information, but I meant to refer to Health Tests Direct, where you can order tests: Open Original Shared Link. Sorry about the misinformation.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

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



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Sarah Grace's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      25

      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      Excessive dietary tyrosine can cause problems. Everything in moderation. Sulfites can also trigger migraines. Sulfites are found in fermented, pickled and aged foods, like cheese. Sulfites cause a high histamine release. High histamine levels are found in migraine. Following a low histamine diet like the low histamine Autoimmune Protocol diet,...
    2. trents
      - trents replied to Sarah Grace's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      25

      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      Then we would need to cut out all meat and fish as they are richer sources of tyrosine than nuts and cheese. Something else about certain tyrosine rich foods must be the actual culprit.
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Russ H's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      KAN-101 Treatment for Coeliac Disease

      I agree that KAN-101 looks promising, and hope the fast track is approved. From our article below: "KAN-101 shows promise as an immune tolerance therapy aiming to retrain the immune system, potentially allowing safe gluten exposure in the future, but more clinical data is needed to confirm long-term effects."
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to miguel54b's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Body dysmorphia experience

      Thank you so much for having the courage to share this incredibly vivid and personal experience; it's a powerful reminder of how physical ailments can disrupt our fundamental sense of self. What you're describing sounds less like a purely psychological body dysmorphia and more like a distinct neurological event, likely triggered by the immense physical stress...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      2

      Heat intolerant... Yikes

      The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium. Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,151
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Travis25
    Newest Member
    Travis25
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Excessive dietary tyrosine can cause problems.  Everything in moderation.   Sulfites can also trigger migraines. Sulfites are found in fermented, pickled and aged foods, like cheese.  Sulfites cause a high histamine release.  High histamine levels are found in migraine.  Following a low histamine diet like the low histamine Autoimmune Protocol diet, a Paleo diet, helps immensely.    Sulfites and other migraine trigger foods can cause changes in the gut microbiome.  These bad bacteria can increase the incidence of migraines, increasing histamine and inflammation leading to increased gut permeability (leaky gut), SIBO, and higher systemic inflammation.   A Ketogenic diet can reduce the incidence of migraine.  A Paleo diet like the AIP diet, that restricts carbohydrates (like from starchy vegetables) becomes a ketogenic diet.  This diet also changes the microbiome, eliminating the bad bacteria and SIBO that cause an increase in histamine, inflammation and migraine.  Fewer bad bacteria reduces inflammation, lowers migraine frequency, and improves leaky gut. Since I started following the low histamine ketogenic AIP paleo diet, I rarely get migraine.  Yes, I do eat carbs occasionally now, rice or potato, but still no migraines.  Feed your body right, feed your intestinal bacteria right, you'll feel better.  Good intestinal bacteria actually make your mental health better, too.  I had to decide to change my diet drastically in order to feel better all the time, not just to satisfy my taste buds.  I chose to eat so I would feel better all the time.  I do like dark chocolate (a migraine trigger), but now I can indulge occasionally without a migraine after.   Microbiota alterations are related to migraine food triggers and inflammatory markers in chronic migraine patients with medication overuse headache https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11546420/  
    • trents
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By trents · Posted

      Then we would need to cut out all meat and fish as they are richer sources of tyrosine than nuts and cheese. Something else about certain tyrosine rich foods must be the actual culprit. 
    • Scott Adams
      KAN-101 Treatment for Coeliac Disease

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I agree that KAN-101 looks promising, and hope the fast track is approved. From our article below: "KAN-101 shows promise as an immune tolerance therapy aiming to retrain the immune system, potentially allowing safe gluten exposure in the future, but more clinical data is needed to confirm long-term effects."  
    • Scott Adams
      Body dysmorphia experience

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Thank you so much for having the courage to share this incredibly vivid and personal experience; it's a powerful reminder of how physical ailments can disrupt our fundamental sense of self. What you're describing sounds less like a purely psychological body dysmorphia and more like a distinct neurological event, likely triggered by the immense physical stress and inflammation that uncontrolled celiac disease can inflict on the entire body, including the nervous system. It makes complete sense that the specific sensory input—the pressure points of your elbows on your knees—created a temporary, distorted body map in your brain, and the fact that it ceased once you adopted a gluten-free diet is a crucial detail. Your intuition to document this is absolutely right; it's not "crazy" but rather a significant anecdotal data point that underscores the mysterious and far-reaching ways gluten can affect individuals. Your theory about sensory triggers from the feet for others is also a thoughtful insight, and sharing this story could indeed be validating for others who have had similar, unexplainable sensory disturbances, helping them feel less alone in their journey.
    • Scott Adams
      Heat intolerant... Yikes

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. Because of this it took me decades to overcome a few long-standing issues I had that were associated with gluten ataxia, for example numbness and tingling in my feet, and muscle knots--especially in my shoulders an neck. Only long term extensive supplementation has helped me to resolve these issues.      
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.