SUPPLEMENTS

[Singr]

Ok I'm on low carb eating and have lost 12lb which I'm very proud of. I was advised to take powdered collagen to guard against loss of hair, Biotin for hair and nails plus electrolytes which apparently we lose with the loss of fluid. Has anyone encountered these supplements. Is there anything I should be aware of in terms of contra-indications?

[Koalajane]

Hi, I am on a low carb diet and don’t take any of these supplements

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Like Koalajane - I eat pretty low carb but have never taken any of such things. My hair is fine and my nails are better on pred than they have ever been.

[Singr in reply to PMRpro]

Lucky you. I'm not as fortunate. My nails used to be lovely but they are now soft and breaking often. I also suffered hair thinning, breaking and falling out. My lovely white teeth have now turned yellow since steroids.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Singr]

I don't think steroids should change dental enamel colour. Have you spoken to your dentist?

[Singr in reply to PMRpro]

Not recently since lockdown. But I seem to remember discussing it with him before but my memory is so bad I can't remember the outcome. EEk!!

[GOOD_GRIEF]

I don't know who you're talking to, but you shouldn't be messing with electrolytes unless you're a pro athlete, outdoor laborer working in extreme heat, or a marathoner/triathlete. I'd skip the collagen, too, since you really have no idea what's in that powder unless it was prescribed by a licensed physician. Biotin probably won't hurt you, but it probably won't help much, either.

If you're taking pred, you should be taking calcium and D3 supplements, either as a prescription, or using supplements from a reliable manufacturer.

[tangocharlie]

Well done on the loss - it's not easy when you're on steroids. In keto groups they often recommend electrolyte supplements but unless you are following a strict keto diet or fasting you shouldn't need them, just make sure you stay well hydrated. I've also seen Biotin and collagen recommended in these forums for hair loss but don't have any experience of them I'm afraid. I do low-carb and whenever I have blood tests that include electrolytes they are always fine. I do take magnesium supplements though.

[Singr in reply to tangocharlie]

Thanks TC it's been really tough especially when reducing steroid dose which makes me want to eat every high carb sugary thing in sight.

[tangocharlie in reply to Singr]

Well whatever you're doing is working so keep on doing it! Though I'm sure it won't be a linear path and there will be stalls and wooshes along the way

[SnazzyD]

Well done on the low carb and weight control. Loss of fluids? If anything Pred makes you retain fluid because it favours retention of sodium. You do lose potassium more as a result of Pred but I certainly don’t take potassium as a supplement because of the risk of cardiac problems if you take more than you need. Eating potassium rich foods is safer and more likely to be more readily bioavailable. Yes, we do take magnesium supplements as that too is excreted more with Pred but it is excreted if your body has too much, sometimes as a loose poo. Electrolyte supplements are really for those who are losing them acutely such as with diarrhoea or major sports or extreme activity as G-G says. As for biotin, it’s difficult to say if it is any use for hair falling out because if you take and it doesn’t fall out, you don’t know if it was the biotin or just your lucky stars. I’m not sure if anything protects against hair loss as a reaction to acute systemic illness. I’m sure it isn’t as simple as lack of biotin. I don’t bother and save my pennies. My hair fell out twice in this process and grew back twice.

[SheffieldJane]

Well done with the weight loss. It sounds like you really want to get to grips and take charge. I don’t know of any contraindications with these supplements, try a thorough internet search. I do try to keep what I take really simple so I can do a kind of audit trail for unwanted side effects. Calcium I get through diet, I take vit D and vit K2 for calcium absorption. I take Zinc and Magnesium and I take vit B12. My hair has not thinned this time round, even though I have taken higher doses of Pred. Like PMRPro’s, my nails would put nail bars out of business. I drink lots of water. The supplements I am drawn to tend to mitigate against the downside of the drugs I have to take. I feel quite resistant to the promises I see in all the ads. If I do succumb, whatever it is tends to moulder away in a drawer after a few trys.

[TheMoaningViolet]

I looked at collagen supplements and decided to add bone broth to my vegetables soups instead. Admittedly difficult if you are a vegetarian, but low carb would be similarly challenging.

I do take biotin for my hair, but as SnazzyD says who knows whether it's helping. I have been taking it for the last 7 months now and the one time I had problem with my hair was about 7-8 weeks ago when I was reducing from 7mg to 6mg. I assumed that my brief period of what looked like excessive hair loss was due to low adrenal function. It appears to have stabilised now (I am tapering down to 5.5mg).

[Meggsy]

I took biotin for months but hair still fell out. The first time it began before PMR diagnosis and pred, so I am sure that was due to PMR. The second began at about 6mg and it was like having a labrador in the house. Presently on 3.5 and it appears to have stopped. When I part it and hold down each side of the part there are lots of little hairs sticking up, so here’s hoping. Like others my nails were magnificent on higher pred doses (originally 25mg), but now reverting to their weak bendy splitting condition. I take D3, calcium, K2 and magnesium. I have taken vitamin C and a multivitamin for the last 40 years.

Keep up the good work with the weight loss. 👏👏👏

[Luciejc]

I purchased a bottle of Biotin, good quality, 1000 mcg. but never opened the bottle after reading that it can interfere with lab tests. It said to consult with doctor if you need to take lab test. Since I have blood work done on a regular basis, I thought it best not to begin taking the Biotin. I had my hair cut several inches and it doesn't seem to be falling out as much as before.