What iron prescription supplements ar... - Gluten Free Guerr...

Gluten Free Guerrillas

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What iron prescription supplements are you taking?

FionaGFG profile image
FionaGFGAdministrator
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Have you found good ones that don't cause constipation?

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FionaGFG
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Hi Fiona, I don't bother with supplements on prescription but this year was a long cold winter so I bought some vit D and I bought 'DLUX' mouth spray and there is no maltodextrin in it. Its about £6.50. I then bought some high strength cod liver oil capsules and they contain vit's A,D and E and these cost me just over a pound for 30 capsules and there is no maltodextrin in it.

Now if you can not tolerate maltodextrin then you are a super sensitive coeliac, this would explain why you still have ongoing issues on your gf diet. According to CUK maltodextrin is safe for all coeliac, this I believe is because they can not say that codex low gluten wheat starch is safe for coeliac and then say a poly alcohol wheat derivative is not.The coeliac society of Australia who have 5ppm as gf warn coeliac about wheat derivatives like maltodextrin as not suitable for them if they have ongoing problems. Also if you look at any of the Wheat free sites they avoid all the low cal soft drinks because the poly alcohol wheat deriv's upset them.

Jerry

FionaGFG profile image
FionaGFGAdministrator

That's interesting Jerry - after a 2nd Endo 18mths into a GF I was only just beginning to heal internally. It can of course take many years more for the healed villi to function effectively after they have grown back.

I asked the question as it does seem strange to me that the Vitamin D on prescription all contains either Sorbitol (a known stomach irritant - ask any dietitian or see the research on the FODMAP diet) OR maltodextrin. It's interesting to note the difference in Australia.

I'm curious as to what others take as I felt so ill, achy and weak and visited the GP (6mths after diagnosis). It was then discovered that my severe vitamin D deficiency at my hospital check up hadn't been communicated effectively back to my GP, and I needed an injection of Vit D to boost my levels and to take regular Vitamin D and calcium supplements. Vitamin D is one of the only vitamins that acts like a hormone as is vital for a healthy endocrine system. Many Coeliacs can't process it in the stomach correctly due to years of malnutrition and damage due to fighting gluten.

I wonder how many members have regular Vitamin D checks to monitor their levels and that they are absorbing it from the Sun and their diet?

18mths later when I queried why I still felt tired all the time and couldn't blame it on gluten (as my diet is very strict) my GP then said 'Haven't you been given an iron supplement to take?'...nope. Seems my ferritin and low iron levels at diagnosis were also missed and I'd been bumbling along with very little.

Jacks profile image
Jacks in reply to FionaGFG

I've just seen this question. I'm prescribed Ferrous Fumerate as it has the highest quantity of available iron. I have to take 633mg day and have done so for about 3 years (still got low levels). The tablets are 'iron' coloured. The hospital pharmacist told me Ferrous sulphate contain a 'wheat' sugar coating and lactose. If you can get them Ferrous Gluconate might be gentler.

InVivo profile image
InVivo

I don't take the iron I was prescribed. I was given ferrous sulphate, which is VERY poorly absorbed anyway plus made me constipated.

I take 'Gentle Iron' from Solgar, which is non-constipating or Haemoplex which I find very good.

Vitamin D is also very important as it helps to modulate inflammation - a big problem with any auto-immune disease, plus it helps to close the 'leaky' gaps in the gut. Which is vital for recovery post diagnosis.

I think it's better to take it in an oil suspension, either as drops or as a liquid cap, as it's a fat-soluble nutrient. My personal favorite is from a company called Biotics Research, called Bio-D Mulsion forte. 2,000 iu per drop, or BioCare BioMulsion D, 1,000 iu per drop. Both are emulsified, which makes them much easier to absorb, as they're less dependant on having healthy fat digestion, which is rarely the case in Coeliacs.

India1 profile image
India1

My iron levels don't seem too bad in my blood tests but somehow a good steak seems to make me feel better the next day!

As for vitamin D, my consultant says I need it but my GP won't prescribe it. I'm scared of the prescription version anyway as it contains soy, which doesn't agree with me, so I will look into the supplements suggested here - thank you! Is there a risk of overdoing it, though?

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