Vitamin absorption - ThinnerTimes

BLD · 06-05-2008, 12:31 PM

Wondering if others have had the same issue.

I'm 6 months out and have recently had blood work... 13 vials and 2 weeks later I'm getting calls from the doctors...

Low in Vitamin D
Low in Iron
Low in Vitamin A
Low in Protein

I take daily: 3 multi-vitamins made for bariatric patients, 6 capsules of calcium a day, 2 "maxi-hair" pills a day for my hair loss, vitamin B-12 spray and 1-2 scoops of protein a day, 1 "hema-plex" tablet a day for iron. The doctor wants me to take a new pill for 8 weeks for my Vitamin D level, I'll start that today.

I'm feeling GREAT, not tired and have lots of energy. I don't want to get hung up on this issue but it have to think it's important to get straightened out quickly. I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the timing of my when I'm taking the vitamins. Do most patients have this problem? What has worked for everyone else out there.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice.

Any feed back is greatly appreciated.

Godsblessedme · 06-05-2008, 03:49 PM

my 6month appt is on the 13th so i have no clue just wanted to hear what some others say about this. Wow your viligent on taking vitamins and your still low? well your loss is incredible so maybe that has something to do with it too

Deirdrea · 06-06-2008, 01:46 AM

It may not be what vitamins you are taking but when. There are certain vitamins that you can't take close to others or they don't absorb correctly.

I only know for the vitamins that I personally take and this is how my nutritionist suggests taking them.

I take Vista Wellness (which is a bariatric vitamin)

I take 1 packet (4 capsules) and 1 315mg Calcium in the morning

2 Calciums 630mg total in the afternoon

1 packet (4 caps) and 1 315mg calcium in the evening.

You can't take the calcium and the multi vits. too close to each other or they cancel each other out. You have to wait at least 2 hours between. Also your body can't absorb more then 500 mg of Calcium at one time. This may be why you're low on your vit. D. I'm assuming that you're taking a calcium with D in it.

I would call your nutritionist and ask them what you should be taking and HOW/WHEN you should take them. You may still be feeling really good, but with some of the deficiencies that are showing up on your blood work it may not be long before the lack of iron and other vits starts to catch up to you.

Also get a recheck on your bloodwork in 3 months to see if your numbers are improving.

Godsblessedme · 06-06-2008, 08:17 AM

everything that i've read suggests that you CAN take the multivitamins and calcium together but you cant take the iron and calcium together within 2 hours

Deirdrea · 06-06-2008, 08:29 AM

If your multi vit. has iron in it (which a lot do) that would mean needing the 2 hour wait.

mistymee · 06-06-2008, 08:47 AM

I've been instructed to wait a full four hours between the calcium dosages and vitamins.. so I take my first two vits at 8am, calcium at 12pm, second two vits at 4pm and last two calciums at 8pm. Interspersed throughout the day are my b-complex, D-vit, etc. etc.

nannag · 06-06-2008, 08:55 AM

Does anyone know the recommended amount of calcium that is needed per day? My mind has gone blank, as it often does.

Deirdrea · 06-06-2008, 09:18 AM

1500-2000mg per day is what my dietitian recommends. Make sure that it's calcium citrate as well.

Godsblessedme · 06-06-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

If your multi vit. has iron in it (which a lot do) that would mean needing the 2 hour wait

well i wonder why my surgeon did say anything, nor the stupid bbvitamins site since they are a bariactric vitamins only so i will try doing that now. thanks for that. shoot now i'm not sure WHEN to take my calcium geesh or maybe i'll take my multi at noon as i do with my iron pill and my 2nd multi in afternoon before the calcium in the evening

Deirdrea · 06-06-2008, 10:44 AM

It really is a huge balancing act with them. Thats one thing that I like about the Vista Wellness that I take. They are a bariactric vitamin that my center sells and it's like $63 for a 2 month supply. It has enough of everything but calcium so that is the only "extra" suppliment that I have to take. It makes taking my vitamins a lot easier then trying to get in all the pills etc. with regular over the counter vitamins and added suppliments.