Vitamins - Open invitation

Most of you know me.  I had two little ones, I've been around, I'm opinionated.

I started a vitamin site for a reason -- because I got crap advice about vitamins from my surgeon and my OB's during my two pregnancies.  After Kaitlin, I found out that my iron was in the basement.  Not in the toilet, I mean, in the basement horrible.  I developed ricketts shortly after Daniel was born.

Basically, I'm saying -- I've been there, done that in regards to having been told crap vitamin advice -- and I was actually taking the ones I was told to take.

So I started to study.  Learned why I should take them, what to take, why what I was taking was wrong, and the meds that worked.  And that's why many of you email me, PM me, text me, etc about meds and vites.  And why I got shanghaied into starting the site in the siggy.


So here's the open invitation -- if anyone would like help getting started with their vitamins -- remembering that I am in no shape, form, or fashion a professional anything except pain in the ass - then I will be happy to help.  However, keep in mind the following things:

1) I work a part time job and tomorrow is one of those days;
2) I have my parental units in town until after Tgiving and am trying to spend days with them, so computer time is limited to nights mostly;
3) I do have 2 younglings -- told you, I am one of you!;
4) The first thing I'll probably ask is what you're currently taking, and your last labs -- probably start with that info;
5) Let me know your surgery, date of surgery, if you're pregnant, if you're taking pills or chewables, etc.

You may get a lecture -- but only because I don't want you to end up in deficiency hell like I am.  It sucks.

So if you would like help getting on a schedule, help with where to get your vitamins, what labs to get, what to look for, how to read a lab slip, whatever just ask.  I don't mind.  Just be patient with me and I will get back to you.

Andrea,

As I said in my FB status, YOU ROCK!

I'll ring your phone again, some time when your younglings are asleep and mine are quiet....

Hugs,

Is there ever such a time?  ;-)

I never realized what can happen from not taking vitamins...... I think the last time I had labs drawn was right before Bella - so 6 months ago ( I know my iron was up to 14 from taking supplements - prior to that it was a 5)...... I am going to start prenantals, folic acid, fish oil & calcium this weekend(when I get paid)..... I am going to ask my Doc for a complete vitamin work up when I go in for my first OB appointment in 2 weeks.

I am so glad I came on here today and read these posts - I didn't realize what kind of damage I am most likely doing to myself....

I'd suggest your OB run the following tests:

ferritin, hgb, hct, serum iron, b12, b1, folate, pth, and 0,25(OH)D

These are critical to your iron, b-vite (blood stores, neurological health), and bone health and are a bare minimum to what should be run every 8 weeks while pregnant.  Get a copy of any and all labs you have run.  You want to put your own little eyeballs on them.  Trust me on this.

Be sure you are taking 2000mg of calcium CITRATE -- if the horse pills are hard, you can dissolve it in crystal light and drink it.. no more than 500-630mg 2 hours apart, and 2 hours away from your prenatals.

One thing I've never messed with is my vitamins, I've never skipped a day.  I was taking optisource with additonal calcium but you advised me that Vitamin A Acetate is no good for pregnancy.  I get so livid about the newbies on the MB with "perfect" labs taking 2 Flintstones chewables.  However I am not that knowledgeable about vitamins as you are.  I know the difference between the different calcium's and B-12 sublinguals and oral B-12.  My labs were checked in the beginning of my pregnancy and everything was good.  I've never been told to take additional iron, every time I ask, my surgeon or OB will tell me no my iron is fine.  So this is what I take a day.  I am 18 weeks prego, first baby, RNY 9.17.07

1 sundown prenatal
2 calcium citrate's 1000mg total with 250 IU Vitamin D and some other things
1 B50 B-complex
2 b-12 sublinguals (my b-12 has been low before)
halls vitamin c lozenge

I'd still get a copy of your labs and watch for trends.  My doc never noticed my iron, and now my ferritin is a 7.  That's abysmal and isn't responding to oral treatment.

Plus, and many don't realize it, there are many iron tests -- which one is your doc checking?  Some check your iron as of right now whereas some check your long term status..   It's good to know where you stand in all of them.

Thanks for offering this - I am going to send you mine, I do have a few questions.

Thanks! 

Liz

Andrea you rock!

Just sayin'..........

I will be emailing you via FB soon to have you bust my ass. Right now, I HONESTLY am running ragged. I just had more labs done so as soon as I have to most up to date numbers, I will be in touch!

Thanks!

Hi, my name is Malena and I SUCK at taking vitamins.  I took them religiously when I was pregnant.  I tried to go to bed without taking them but I just couldn't.  I felt guilty.  Please, rip me a new one.  I need it.  I need to figure out what I did with my last labs and then will email you :-)