Again deficient in vitamins and minerals

yirara

I'm eating healthy, varied, try to pack in lots of nutrients - and always again end up deficient in various minerals and vitamins.
last blood test showed I'm at the uttermost lower edge of normal to deficient in magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorous. My ferritin levels drop like a stone if I don't take daily tablets, and I'm on B12 shots anyway. D3 tends to drop as well. Apparently I had the rickets as a very young child.

Is there anything I can do? My GP thinks it's still within range or just below thus it's ok. That I end up severely out of breath and with poor concentration when ferritin drops to a certain as of yet unknown level (last two times blood tests at 26 and 24) doesn't matter: I'm not anaemic, value is within range (>15) and thus I should be fine. I can't get decent iron tablets over the counter in the UK thus I need to order them abroad as I don't get a prescription. that I can't get my level up to a decent level with tablets alone is another issue.

No idea how to handle the other things, or how they interact and I feel pretty much left alone. I guess calcium can only be absorbed if D3 is high enough, but it also interacts with potassium and magnesium and it should be nearly impossible that all three are low.

Any other people with similar issues here?

erimethia_fekre

I use to be low on minerals. I do not suggest supplementation unless it's plant based... I researched .gov based sites on which foods had the highest content of whatever I was lacking and incorporated those into my diet more. Plus there are some things you should take together in order to maximize the uptake (iron with vitamin c, calcium with vitamin d, et c) and what to avoid taking together (i.e. magnesium with zinc, brain fart on the others). All of this can be found with basic research

yirara

Yes, and I'm trying to eat what I need. But it looks like I consistently end up being deficient in so many things at the same time that it's impossible to fill it up with food alone as I'd only be stuffing myself. Plus I can't eat dairy as I get really bad reflux from it.

Wheelhouse15

Has your GP refered you to a RD for a consulation?

LKArgh

Do you have a diagnosis? "Deficient" is not a diagnosis, it is a symptom. Either there is something very wrong with your diet, or something else is going on and if your dr does not want or cannot figure it out, you need a second opinion.

socajam

I agree with lmaharidge about plant based supplements.

Regarding your iron, do a search on Floradix - it is plant based and extremely good, available in both tablet and liquid form. The beauty of Floradix is that it does not cause constipation, only discolors your teeth - expensive, but well worth the money. As a non-meat eater, when I am low on iron, that is my go to supplement.

They also have multi vitamins as well. You should be able to buy it at one of these: Holland and Barrett/Boots/Superdrug.

yirara

Wheelhouse15 wrote: »

Has your GP refered you to a RD for a consulation?

No *sigh* she doesn't see the problem as I'm still within range or just below. The iron is really annoying as I do get problems before I even get close to the lower edge. B12 was properly diagnosed before I moved to the UK. But unfortunately I lost all my medical documentation during the move and now the GP just sees an ok serum B12 and says I don't need any treatment.

brianpperkins

You're within range, but calling yourself deficient? That is a bit paradoxical.

socajam

You need to keep asking for a referral, don't stop. Or get it done privately if your GP still is not convinced. Yes, it is money you will have to pay out, but this is your health you are talking about.

hopeandtheabsurd

I would find a doctor who takes your concerns seriously and refers you to an appropriate specialist instead of brushing you off. Ordering supplements from out of the country seems really...desperate?...to me.

Wheelhouse15

yirara wrote: »

Wheelhouse15 wrote: »

Has your GP refered you to a RD for a consulation?

No *sigh* she doesn't see the problem as I'm still within range or just below. The iron is really annoying as I do get problems before I even get close to the lower edge. B12 was properly diagnosed before I moved to the UK. But unfortunately I lost all my medical documentation during the move and now the GP just sees an ok serum B12 and says I don't need any treatment.

Are you UK? Can you go outside NHS? I'm not that familiar with UK medical I know in Canada you can go privately if you wish.

LKArgh

yirara wrote: »

Wheelhouse15 wrote: »

Has your GP refered you to a RD for a consulation?

No *sigh* she doesn't see the problem as I'm still within range or just below. The iron is really annoying as I do get problems before I even get close to the lower edge. B12 was properly diagnosed before I moved to the UK. But unfortunately I lost all my medical documentation during the move and now the GP just sees an ok serum B12 and says I don't need any treatment.

Why are you B12 deficient?

JackieMarie1989jgw

If they put you on B12 shots instead of oral supplements, usually that means your gut isnt absorbing it. Do you have any GI problems, like Crohn's, Celiac, IBS? Perhaps the problem is with absorption, if you have chronic inflammation in your gut? It sounds like you need to be referred to a specialist, perhaps a gastroenterologist and a dietician

yirara

aggelikik wrote: »

yirara wrote: »

Wheelhouse15 wrote: »

Has your GP refered you to a RD for a consulation?

No *sigh* she doesn't see the problem as I'm still within range or just below. The iron is really annoying as I do get problems before I even get close to the lower edge. B12 was properly diagnosed before I moved to the UK. But unfortunately I lost all my medical documentation during the move and now the GP just sees an ok serum B12 and says I don't need any treatment.

Why are you B12 deficient?

No idea. Doctor suspected pernicious anemia. Serum B12 was low but still within range, the other B12 tests weren't good. Left the country I lived in previously before doctors could do proper tests. Lost my job, residence permit was running out and I found new work in the UK.

yirara

JackieMarie1989jgw wrote: »

If they put you on B12 shots instead of oral supplements, usually that means your gut isnt absorbing it. Do you have any GI problems, like Crohn's, Celiac, IBS? Perhaps the problem is with absorption, if you have chronic inflammation in your gut? It sounds like you need to be referred to a specialist, perhaps a gastroenterologist and a dietician

I'm thinking along those lines, though rather stomach than gut as I have serious problems with reflux if I eat the wrong thing, or sometimes just without any reason. Couldn't get the tests done before I left. And now I'm running against a wall. I don't have any apparent gut problems though: I can eat anything and my guts never act up.

yirara

Wheelhouse15 wrote: »

yirara wrote: »

Wheelhouse15 wrote: »

Has your GP refered you to a RD for a consulation?

No *sigh* she doesn't see the problem as I'm still within range or just below. The iron is really annoying as I do get problems before I even get close to the lower edge. B12 was properly diagnosed before I moved to the UK. But unfortunately I lost all my medical documentation during the move and now the GP just sees an ok serum B12 and says I don't need any treatment.

Are you UK? Can you go outside NHS? I'm not that familiar with UK medical I know in Canada you can go privately if you wish.

I don't know. Need to find out. There seem to be a few clinics that offer private health care but then I'm looking at easily 500-1000 dollars just for rerunning blood tests by the look of it, and another 200 or so for an initial consult.

yirara

hopeandtheabsurd wrote: »

I would find a doctor who takes your concerns seriously and refers you to an appropriate specialist instead of brushing you off. Ordering supplements from out of the country seems really...desperate?...to me.

Yea.. what can I do? It's not so much ordering.. I visit my previous home country regularly on business and can get everything there.
Unfortunately I live very rural and can only chose between two practices within my home area. I now know that this doctor only looks at ranges, not at the patient, and my husband reported the same from a different doctor there on something completely unrelated. So I guess I should try out the other practice, if they still accept new patients.

tcunbeliever

Raspberry leaf (tea or supplement) will help to boost iron absorption assuming you are eating sufficient iron. Also, to better absorb the other minerals you might want to try adding beta carotene for Vit. D - it's a pre-vit. A which your body will convert to A and D as needed assuming you are getting sufficient sunlight. Just a very amateur herbalist suggestion - by all means do your own research and decide for yourself.

MelaniaTrump

The doctor did not recommend you take a daily multivitamin?

yirara

brianpperkins wrote: »

You're within range, but calling yourself deficient? That is a bit paradoxical.

What are lab ranges based on? How is the lower range of different blood tests determined do you think? Is every person the same?

Honestly, I don't know if all the minerals are a problem. I know I get into serious problems if I don't take care of B12, D3 and iron. D3 was marked as too low. Serum B12 was still within range but further tests showed there was far too little active B12, thus what does that tell you about the standard Serum B12 test? A ferritin of 15 is considered complete depletion. Do you think the first problems arise at this exact point or might they appear a bit earlier already?

jgnatca

Because of my RNY surgery, I have to take supplements for life, and the vitamins and minerals I have to watch are pretty well identical to your list. I'm betting you do have problems with absorbing enough vitamins through your gut.

My doctor told me at the last visit that I am one of those people who doesn't ever have to worry about my iron getting too high. I think you may be one of those lucky people too. Here's a fun way to add iron to your diet:
http://www.luckyironfish.com/

Take your iron supplement with a little citrus or vitamin C and the two will help the other absorb better.

Take your Vitamin D/Calcium supplement separate from your iron and both will absorb better.

I manage this by taking my iron with a glass of water first thing in the morning, and then about half an hour later take my Vitamin D/Calcium with my yogurt at breakfast. I also split up my Vitamin D/Calcium supplements morning and night.

You may also experiment taking your vitamins by way of topical patch. There are a few manufacturers out there. If the gut is your problem, taking your supplements through the skin might be the answer.

Nachise

I would suggest that you see an endocrinologist.

Wheelhouse15

yirara wrote: »

Wheelhouse15 wrote: »

yirara wrote: »

Wheelhouse15 wrote: »

Has your GP refered you to a RD for a consulation?

No *sigh* she doesn't see the problem as I'm still within range or just below. The iron is really annoying as I do get problems before I even get close to the lower edge. B12 was properly diagnosed before I moved to the UK. But unfortunately I lost all my medical documentation during the move and now the GP just sees an ok serum B12 and says I don't need any treatment.

Are you UK? Can you go outside NHS? I'm not that familiar with UK medical I know in Canada you can go privately if you wish.

I don't know. Need to find out. There seem to be a few clinics that offer private health care but then I'm looking at easily 500-1000 dollars just for rerunning blood tests by the look of it, and another 200 or so for an initial consult.

If you don't have insurance that's quite a hit but it seems odd that they would have to rerun the same blood tests.