Low Vitamin D and Low Iron but I have been eating tonnes?

[CDN_Crohns]

Hi everyone,

I have a vitamin D/ iron absorption question. I just had an appointment with my doctor and got some blood work as per routine and I am apparently really low in vitamin D (i dont know what units he is using but) I have 60 when the norm is around 200. And my iron is around 10 points too low.

My question is does this mean I am having trouble absorbing nutrients and if so does this mean I have inflammation or is it about to begin to inflame?

I eat like a horse but do get daily loose stool which has become just a fact of life for me.

Any exp/ advice would be appreciated!

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi there, losing Vitamin D is very common and alot of people who get newly diagnosed are low in that vitamin. Very common and absorption issues is common. Many people have iron deficiencies to but I dont. I have low vitamin B12 and get shots once a month. It would be in your best interest to be on Vitamin D3 and calcium. Most meds delete them. Cant help with the iron but I do know you have to be careful what kind and how much. Having diareah or the disease itself can cause all this.

 

[ameslouise]

Hi CDN - I have been low in both. Americans in general don't get enough vitamin d, and I'm sure Canadians are too with even less sunlight in the winter than us.

Did your doc recommend how to deal with both deficiencies? 10 pts too low in iron sounds extremely anemic. You may need either a transfusion, or iron infusions, to bring you back up to normal.

Good luck ! Hope you start feeling better soon!

- Amy

 

[CDN_Crohns]

Thx for the quick responses,
I am currently on 3000 IU Vitamin D supplements (i also take a multi with a bit too) but no iron.

I was diagnosed 10 years ago so not new to crohn's just new to being low in these vitamins/minerals.

My doctor recommended to take vitamin D supplements (but i was already doing so) so he told me to buy orange juice that is fortified. He also told me to eat more iron rich foods (red meat/spinach etc.) but i do not eat red meat as it does not digest well for me.

I am mainly confused because I believe I am eating/ supplementing for more than enough vitamin D but it doesn't seem to absorb. I guess my issue is does crohn's cause this or will being low in vitamin D cause symptoms? or is this another chicken and egg question

 

[Lydia]

Lots of Canadians are low in vitamin D. The sun is only strong enough 4 months out of the year. I take 4000 IU in the dark winter months, and 2000 IU the rest of the year. My 3 year old gets 1000 IU per day. They are finding that children that are low in vitamin D are more likely to develop autoimmune issues like asthma and type 1 diabetes. So I make sure to keep her levels adequete.

While it may or may not make a difference in your crohn's disease, it could prevent you from developing other autoimmune diseases or even cancer later on in life.

 

[Aura]

I'm finding this interesting as I am already on the D3 monthly vitamin D pill. I got a script in the mail last week for iron tablets. From that I have assumed my last blood tests showed that I am low in iron. My GI thinks my chrons is coming under control with the methotrexate injections as now I am getting constipated - he said that my body is starting to absorb things that I eat - now it just doesnt know what to do with them. But I too question why I am low in iron and what my body is absorbing or not.

 

[Rebecca85]

The iron absorption is probably because you can't eat red meat, and red meat iron is easier absorbed (or better for you or something) than vegetable iron. Iron deficiency is common in people who don't eat red meat. As for vitamin D, it's really hard to get that from your diet, normally our intake comes from the sun, so not surprising to be deficient in winter.

Vitamin C can help iron be absorbed, so maybe make sure you drink orange juice whenever you eat food which is a source of iron? Caffeine and calcium inhibit iron absorption. Finally, if you don't want to take iron supplements, you could try fortified foods- cereals, snack bars etc often have added iron and the amount is so small it is unlikely to upset your system.