Vitamins B12 and D

Hi everyone,

I had my esophagectomy in November of 2001. I won't bore you with the details, as many of you may have already read them in some responses to you and our other friends. I was 37 at the time and will turn 45 at the end of this month. :-)

I recently had my annual endoscopy (2/19/09), which turned out very well, I'm happy to say. My gastroenterologist ordered some blood tests (which I just had done 3/9/09 - I'm a bit of a procrastinator...) for vitamin B12 and D levels. This is the first time he or any of my doctors have ordered something like this.

My results came back on 3/12/09 and I was found to be "dangerously" deficient in both vitamin levels. My doctor says this could be a result of my continued use of reflux medication, which I will need for the rest of my life, according to him. I now have to take a daily B12 supplement (over the counter type thank goodness) and a prescription vitamin D supplement which I must take once a week. The IU's (international units - not quite sure of what this all means) on the D are 50,000, so that is why I must take it weekly. I was told that vitamin D plays a part in the prevention of colon and breast cancers as well as in providing calcium for the bones.

At this point, he has not ordered a colonoscopy but I must say I am a bit worried since I have no idea how long these levels have been deficient. Before I found this out, I happened to be researching some causes and symptoms of colon cancer and found that I have a few of these symptoms - change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, change in appetite, loss of weight (no visible bleeding, though). I'm hoping that these are more a result of my recent gall bladder surgery, which took place in December 08 - but after 3 months, I would have hoped some of this would have subsided by now. I have lost 30 lbs and when I eat, I feel full after just a few bites. I develop pain in my abdomen that lasts from several minutes to several hours but always goes away until I eat again.

Anyway, I wanted to share this with you in case it ever comes up but also to ask if anyone has had these blood tests ordered yet and what were your results? Should I be concerned now, or wait a until my follow-up blood tests in June?

Thank you all and God bless! You are all in my prayers. - Bruce F.

On 3/16/2009 Bruce F. wrote:

Hi everyone,

I had my esophagectomy in November of 2001. I won't bore you with the details, as many of you may have already read them in some responses to you and our other friends. I was 37 at the time and will turn 45 at the end of this month. :-)

I recently had my annual endoscopy (2/19/09), which turned out very well, I'm happy to say. My gastroenterologist ordered some blood tests (which I just had done 3/9/09 - I'm a bit of a procrastinator...) for vitamin B12 and D levels. This is the first time he or any of my doctors have ordered something like this.

My results came back on 3/12/09 and I was found to be "dangerously" deficient in both vitamin levels. My doctor says this could be a result of my continued use of reflux medication, which I will need for the rest of my life, according to him. I now have to take a daily B12 supplement (over the counter type thank goodness) and a prescription vitamin D supplement which I must take once a week. The IU's (international units - not quite sure of what this all means) on the D are 50,000, so that is why I must take it weekly. I was told that vitamin D plays a part in the prevention of colon and breast cancers as well as in providing calcium for the bones.

At this point, he has not ordered a colonoscopy but I must say I am a bit worried since I have no idea how long these levels have been deficient. Before I found this out, I happened to be researching some causes and symptoms of colon cancer and found that I have a few of these symptoms - change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, change in appetite, loss of weight (no visible bleeding, though). I'm hoping that these are more a result of my recent gall bladder surgery, which took place in December 08 - but after 3 months, I would have hoped some of this would have subsided by now. I have lost 30 lbs and when I eat, I feel full after just a few bites. I develop pain in my abdomen that lasts from several minutes to several hours but always goes away until I eat again.

Anyway, I wanted to share this with you in case it ever comes up but also to ask if anyone has had these blood tests ordered yet and what were your results? Should I be concerned now, or wait a until my follow-up blood tests in June?

Thank you all and God bless! You are all in my prayers. - Bruce F.

hi Bruce, I have recently learned that lower levels of Vitamin d, B12 and also calcium can be an indicator of celiac disease. When someone has an alergy to gluten that has been undiagnosed and or treated there can be an inability to absorb vitamins and minerals and also can cause wieght loss. It might be wise to research this and speak to your Doctor to see if this is poosibly a concern.

LN