Lots of vitamin info -- very very long

Which is what I got my info from.  Our stores don't have the regular centrum around here for some reason.

I'll fix it.. eventually.

Thanks for this info Andrea.  I appreciate all the time you put into this!  My question is about the "normal" levels.  Many times in previous posts and again here I noticed that what is considered normal levels for some vitamins are considered too low for WLS people.  Specifically B12.  My doctor is one who follows the recommendations and so anything over 200 is A-okay with him (mine is around 400). Do you have any sources that state that our levels need to be kept much higher (I have heard both 800 and 1000 floating around)? Also, Ferritin.  My doc doesn't think low ferritin is a big deal because of menstruation...but with already low levels (now at 7) that are trending downward how do I convince him it is a big deal?  I do currently supplement my multi with iron and sub-lingual B complex..and since my numbers dropped again between last month and this I am concerned supplements aren't cutting it.  Thoughts?

With the ferritin, show him the trends, and extrapolate.

Ie -- "My ferritin has dropped 5pts in 2 months.  It's now a 7, given nothing else changes, what happens in 4 months when it's at 0?  At what point do I need to be concerned, given that most insurance companies will authorize transfusions at a level of 7?  And why aren't *you* concerned that my levels suck this much, given that I'm taking x, y, and z?"

Eventually, they get it.  My GI doc litterally asked at my last appt if I could stop my period for a few months.  He finally figured it out, but also tried to downplay it a bit.


I've seen the numbers out there, but right now, don't remember where I pulled them from.  I have a binder that is about 3" thick of vitamin info, and it's in there.. somewhere...


At some point, you'll just have to be the ***** and say "I don't accept these numbers.  I need them higher."

Has anyone seen any research about liquid vitamins and whether they are better utilized/absorbed by RNYers than pills?

Also, I've read good things about microcystalline hydroxyapatite compound (I've seen it abbreviated as MCHA or MCHC) as a type of calcium that is even better absorbed than the citrate.  Anyone else read about this? Andrea--thoughts?

Hrmm...  ground up bovine bones?  Sounds... intriguing.

The initial research I see (and really, let's call it the last 2 minutes) is that it's best for people taking regular doses of a corticosteroid therapy.  I've not seen anything to show that it will absorb better or worse than citrate in a low gastric acid state.

~~hijack~~

You were great on the Drs!!  You look wonderful!! 

Thanks--that's very kind of you to say. It was fun to be on the show. And it was so great to be hooked up with the trainer. I'm 26 pounds less now than I was on the day the show was taped.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, FOR HELPING US TAKE BETTER CARE OF US!!!

Thank you for posting this.  I am amazed at your throughness of your research and your willingness to share with us.  I have so much more to get before my WLS.  Thanks again.

Someone was asking about the websites.  Here are two that I found. The first is a direct link the second I googled the title and got the last table.  Not sure if they are the same as yours but I wanted to find a simple chart to follow and finally found a few.

http://www.crnusa.org/about_recs3.html

• Vitamin and Mineral Recommendations for RNY Post-ops  (google)
• gastricbypass.netfirms.com/vitamins-mineral-recommendations.pdf