Vitamins which ones ?

[Duder]

What vitamins do anyone take ! For fatigue consultant just gave go a head to take some again been on itrunib for 2/12 years thanks in advance

[lankisterguy Administrator Volunteer]

Hi Duder,

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In 2012 before CLL treatment I was tested for Iron and D3 and found I was extremely low in both, so supplements helped relieve some of my fatigue symptoms. Others in our discussion groups have found Vitamin B 12 to help. -

Don't just add some random amount of these supplements, get your GP or Consultant to test you for Iron & Ferritin, Vitamin D3 ( Cholecalciferol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D ), Vitamin B 12 since the correct amount to supplement may be drastically different than non CLL people. And some like Iron and D3 can be harmful if you overdose.

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Len

[GMa27]

Agree with Len. Have D and B-12 levels checked. I don't take any other vitamins. 💊💙

[cajunjeff]

Duder, I can’t imagine any doctor just giving me the green light to start taking vitamins without knowing which ones I am insufficient in, if any.

If a doctor thought I was vitamin or mineral deficient, I would like to think, along the lines of what Len wrote, that my doctor would test me first for vitamin deficiency before saying I should just add random vitamins to my daily routine. As Len correctly points out, there are dangers with having too much of certain vitamins in our systems.

I suspect many nutritionists, even if testing showed a deficiency, would look at diet as a fix before supplements. Getting vitamins through diet is the best way to get the doses Mother Nature designed us to get. I think just eating a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits while mixing colors is a great way to get the vitamins we need.

Some people, and a very few I think, have medical conditions that contribute to vitamin deficiencies that can’t be fixed by normal diets. So I do think there can be a role for vitamin supplements for some of us, but for most I think natures way the best.

[newyork8 in reply to cajunjeff]

So eating a great variety of fruits and veggies daily is ideal but hard to achieve. ...thus supplements. Iceberg lettuce and a few tomatos and carrots don't cut it. Now if ketchup...a great vegetable ...counts we're in better shape!

[SofiaDeo Administrator]

I think lankisterguy and cajunjeff are right, it's not a matter of "just taking a pill", or many pills. Diet & exercise are the cornerstone to feeling great, and there are a number of people here who comment that for them, going out for a walk or other exercise improves their fatigue. If you are mentally stressed, the fatigue from that will likely decrease from things like meditation and Cognitive Behavior Therapy, or other therapies. Things like yoga and Pilates are designed to combine both exercise and mindfulness, others calm themselves mentally bike riding, walking, running, or whatever. Get or interact with a pet. I would get the Vit D & iron parameters checked first since deficiencies there are common & contribute to fatigue. Dehydration can make you feel exhausted too. Foods like high quality proteins with lots of fruits & veggies (if not diet restricted for another reason) will contribute to feeling great more than traditional starchy, sugary"comfort foods" and/or junk or highly processed stuff.

I personally push "extra" protein & micronutrients. I think if my body has a slight excess of things, I am better able to make healthy new cells. I also have a history of malabsorption regarding minerals, so this is OK for me. And I don't have any other disease states where I have to watch protein, or sodium, or anything (except saturated fats, I have developed abnormal HDL & LDL the past few years). I eat 75-100% extra protein over & above my basic needs of 0.28gm/complete protein per pound of bodyweight.

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

For a secure addition of any nutrient, take the words of lankisterguy and cajunjeff as gospel.Get tested for need, explore foods that have the needed nutrients, take your Drs. word in regard to dosage if supplements necessary.

[LeoPa]

That depends from your diet. Taking synthetic vitamins randomly won't help with anything. With a correct diet you won't need many if any. Fix the diet first.

[MN1999]

If you decide to take vitamins, consider liquid instead of capsules for better absorption.