Question:
Vitamin or mineral deficiency?

I am 15 months out and down 143 pounds....but am having these awful foot and leg cramps. Admittedly I am not good at taking my vitamins like I should. Could this be caused by a vitamin/mineral deficiency?    — Cheryl A. (posted on July 26, 2003)

July 26, 2003
Low potassuim can cause foot and leg cramps. Has yours been checked recently. I have these sometimes but so far my labs have been okay and the cramps are not on a regular basis. But as a nurse, I know low potassuim can be the cause. Vits, not sure about.
   — Delores S.

July 26, 2003
hiya~ causes can be low potassium and dehydration. i had a leg/foot cramp issue for a few days so i added a small banana to my daily intake and the cramping stopped. i knew i was taking in at least 64oz of water so i did not think it was dehydration. not to nag (ok yes to nag lol) please take your vitamins, iron, calcium, protein and water - you do not want to trade obesity for malnutrition... good luck, kate
   — jkb

July 26, 2003
Cramps can be from lack of Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium. All or some, you can get the same results.
   — ZZ S.

July 27, 2003
I get that problem from either lack of potassium, calcium or magnesium, so yes, you probably should be taking your vitamins and calcium everyday and see if that helps. You should notice a difference in a day or two if that was the problem.
   — joeandteri

July 29, 2003
At 9 months out, I was having severe foot pain - tingling and numbness in my feet- which lasted for almost 9 weeks. After seeing my surgeon, my PCP, a neurologist, the ER doctor and a chiropractor, we found out that my thiamine (a B complex vitamin) was low. It took about 2 weeks of intramuscular shots to raise my levels, but the foot pain has almost disappeared.
   — redheadtedd