Weight loss surgery and Vitamin D/ was: Re: Diane/vit. D

April 22, 2008

> Hi Diane - I had the same news last week. No trace of vitamin D in

> my blood at all. I am taking that same dose of 50,000 IU twice a

> week. My PCP said that same thing about vit. D helping greatly

> with pain.

>

> I have malabsorption issues because of gastric bypass surgery.

> I've been advised that the prescription D won't absorb well in my

> system. This advice is from a lady I respect very much who has

> done tons of research on how vitamins absorb and what works for

> those having had any weight loss surgery. So I will soon be

> purchasing a dry form of the vit. D and taking that daily.

>

> As my biggest complaint is fatigue, I'm not sure how it will affect

> that. But lowering pain would be nice, too. I hope you have great

> results with your vitamin D trial.

Geez. I haven't paid enough attention to this thread and btw,

Jeanne, thanks for your little post a couple of days ago! It made me

smile!

I had a Duodenal Switch, which is different from the Gastric Bypass

weight loss surgery. Because of the way the intestines are

configured in the duodenal switch, I don't absorb fats as well.

Therefore, I don't absorb the fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E, and K) as

well as other people. And when I take supplements of those vitamins,

it doesn't do much good to take the kind that come in oil-filled

capsules, because I don't absorb as much of the oil. Duodenal Switch

patients are told to take " dry " , or water-soluble, forms of supplements.

I am not deficient in A, E, or K, but I have had some low D levels in

the 2.5+ years since my weight loss surgery. I take 15,000u of dry

Vitamin D a day, on my doctor's instructions. I get the dry Vitamin

D from www.vitalady.com. She sells it in different strengths.

Again, my high requirements are a function of my weight loss

surgery. I don't know if this is an issue with gastric bypass

patients or not.

According to my doctor, a lot of people in our society are deficient

in Vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation is something that must be

done under a doctor's supervision, with appropriate followup. It's

an important vitamin, but not a " do-it-yourself " thing especially in

cases of severe deficiency, malabsorption, or high doses.

Z

Recommended Posts