Liquid Vitamins

Can someone please explain to me why they do not work for DS patients?

I used the Zija drink in the past and am thinking about trying it again.

Just frustrated about Multi's.

Thanks!

 I don't think they don't work altogether - but they're probably not enough of what you need.  Just compare labels to determine how much you need to take.  It may start to get expensive to equal a double-dose of Centrum as a multi.

Thanks Val.

I bought the Centrum Chewable last night.  I will take four of them today.  I took one last night.  The Nurse at my surgeon's office is totally against this.  I talked to some others.  They are all taking double doses of Costco or Sam's.  I figure it can't hurt me.  I also was able to keep down the Juice Plus.  

I am very confused about Vit A.  The surgeon says to take one a day of the 25000 units. I read a post from someone else who said Vitalady said to take 3.  

How much Vit A should I be taking with it?

I'm taking 500mg of Caltrate 4 times a day (I think I spend more time in the bathroom on the days when I take all 4)

Thanks as always!

Vitamin A--People typically start out with vitaladys recommendation of 3 per day (75000 units) and then adjust based on labs.  I take this amount and it keeps my A on the low end of normal.  I should probably be taking 4 per day (100,000 units per day). 

Calcium--Make sure that you are taking Calcium CITRATE.  I believe that Caltrate is carbonate, which we cannot absorb.  Most here take either citrical or the costco brand of calcium citrate.  You have to watch your B labs if you are taking the Costco brand calcium citrate, because they add B vites and we can have trouble flushing them out of the system...leading to very high levels (B6 especially).  My B6 went through the roof and I was having neurological systems while on Costco Cal Citrate, so I switched to a straight cal citrate supp.

Multi--any general multi will do (take twice the recommended dose).  The multi is only one of many of supps you'll be taking.  Just because you are taking a multi doesn't mean that you don't need to take anything else.  I am taking a great multi, but still have to take added D3, A, E, K, and biotin.  You just have to learn to read your labs and stay on top of any levels that are trending low.  The problem with the liquid vites is that they are very expensive and they are no better than a regular multi...so you are essentially wasting a lot of money.  We spend enough on our vites, we don't need to be spending more than we need.

Thanks cl,

It is calcium citrate.  It does make me poo more I have figured out.  Not sure why that is.

I'm very concerned about my Vit A.  The NP at my surgeon's office says to take 1 per day is all.  Vitalady says more and you say more...  I have the Biotech 25000 units.  I'm going to bump it up.

I don't get my labs for another month.

Calcium normally constipates people. One reason you'll see DSers talking about needing plenty of fat in their diet is because we do take a LOT of calcium.

A is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it's really hard for us fat-malabsorbers to OD on it. However, my A levels are fine taking just the one 25,000 unit pill per day. We're all different.

Your fist labs may or may not tell you much. You'll be, what? 3 months post-op? Most people have about 3 months' worth of goodies in storage, so to speak. What's really important is to keep a record---a spreadsheet works well--so that you can track trends in your levels. Did you get base-line labs done pre-op?

I take 100,000 D 3 and 50,000 A in the dry form daily. Inhave tried for years to take the big calcium pills...I choke and gag.....not fun. Early out I took the Upcal powder in all my shakes. Now I take Vitalady's calcium in capsules without any problems. Make sure you take citrate.

The amount of A you take depends on your lab values.  What is your A lab value? 

What's your parathyroid hormone number?  The calcium and vitamin D you take regulates this number, which you want to be low. 

Sounds like you need to do some more research.  Do you have your labs posted on your spreadsheet?  What do your trends look like so far?