Question:
I am trying to remember the vitamins that are malabsorbed because of

the bypass of the small intestines. I even made up a sentence with each letter represented and can't remember it either....something like A D E K B12 Calcium, Iron and B12? Is that right? I know Michelle Curran can answer this and what amounts of each do we need? What does dry vit mean? I am having a vision problem and I think it could be from not enough vitamin A. How much do I need with 150 cm bypassed? Thanks to anyone for helping me out.    — Mylou52 (posted on October 7, 2002)

October 7, 2002
I memorized 'em in a differnt order, but: protein, iron, calcium, A, D, E, zinc, B12. We're able to get K ok, usually. I'm thinking a B complex isn't a bad idea to cover the other B's, 1,2,3,6 that are kicking up some dust in the ASBS world. Iron is NOT ferrous sulfate, calium is in citrate form. A, D, E are fat solubles, and so people with low fat diets (self imposed or surgically induced) will be slightly low. Dry means powder in a capsule, not oil in a pill. Get some labs before you mess with your A, OK? As for vision, um, isn't it birthday time, birthday buddy? LOL! A's first thing would be night blindness. D is bones, BTW, rickets. E is hair, skin, nail, capillary walls and for boys, a whole OTHER list (wink). Zinc helps protein absorb, but again, not to be overdone without labs.
   — vitalady

October 7, 2002
Thanks Michelle! Yeah, the big 50 just hit! One week later I started having a BIG floater like a cobweb in the corner of my eye.....the reason? Middle age! LOL! If I live to be 100....which is not impossible, right? I was concerned that maybe I wasn't getting enough vit A but I learned that too much can be toxic. Again, thanks for the advice and I have made up a little sentence to remember the vitamins we malabsorb. Don't laugh, here goes: Protein, Iron, Vit C, A, D, E, Zinc, & b12 = Patty Is Crazy About Doughnuts & Eats Zealously Before 12 noon! P I C A D E Z b12. Get it? Now, if I could just remembe the sentence! The retinal specialist that I saw today recommended upping my Vit A but said to be careful not to get too much. What kind of labs show Vitamin A deficiency? Regular labwork or a special test? Thanks again, birthday buddy!
   — Mylou52

October 7, 2002
and EATS ZEALOUSLY? LOL! The test is called Vit A, I think. Or at least that's what it shows on my labs right here under my nose. I'll send you the lab order, OK? You're 2 weeks ahead of me, but um, maybe a year or 3 behind me? Sigh.
   — vitalady