B1

Has anyone else had a problem with low levels of B1 (thiamine). I have taken Vitamin w/iron, calcium and B12 since my surgery but no one ever told me to take B1 or a B complex. Now I am having problems from low thiamine levels (severe muscle aches, neuropathy) and the bariatric surgeon I had to switch to for follow-up is basically blowing me off. Said the test isn't always accurate. My internist believes it is correct and so do I. Symptoms went away when I first started on B1 supplements. But now they are back. All my other levels are fine but B1 keeps dropping to almost zero. I'm taking B1 twice a day and a B complex. What sort of doctor follows you for vitamin deficiencies?

a good primary doctor should be able to follow you after you are done with the surgeon.

most surgeons are really not educated on all this vitamin stuff.

good luck, i hope you feel better soon

jacki

Go to the Vitalady.com website; she's a wls post-op and has some really good insight about the necessary vitamins and supplements.

I take 2 B12 sublinguals weekly, as well as alternating with the B Complex liquid 2X weekly.  I get the B-complex at GNC; it's in the little grey bottle with the dropper.

So far , all my labs are good except that my Vit D has dropped due to being indoors all the time, so I'm using OTC Vit D daily.

Good luck!

I had low thiamine and take a daily B1 supplement.

My bloodwork showed the deficiency at about the same time I had cravings for split pea soup.  Ask that thiamine be part of your regular bloodwork.

Hi Laura,

Sorry to hear about your problem. If your internist believes you are deficient and experiencing neuropathy then my suggestion is to consult with a neurologist. They would be the ones to treat neuropathy in any other patient so he will be able to run the necessary tests to see if in fact you do have it and if so just how bad the damage is. WLS patients are not the only people who suffer from vitamin deficiencies and end up with neuropathy so he should be able to help you with a treatment plan including the vitamin part.

Best of luck to you!

You may need to do your own vites research. My PCP is great, but doesn't know vites. My surgeons know vites better than most, but would be fine if I held to the bottom of acceptable levels which isn't always enough to feel good.

The studies on post0op B1 deficiencies are plentiful, for a decade or more. It is an expectable and preventable deficiency!

Our posties are launched on:
2 multi (centrum clone)
dry forms of A, D, E, K
B complex
B1
zinc
iron + C
B12 sublingual (never swallowed)
calcium citrate (lots of it)

the actual dose depends on surgery type and labs in hand.