My daughter, 8 years old, has been irritable and tired. She also has been more pale than normal. She has small red blood cells, but this is not unusual for her. In the past her iron stores has been low. But not now.
So I took her into our doctor and they ran full blood tests. Iron stores was low but in normal range. Ferritin was low but normal. Her red blood cell size was small, but normal. But, high B12 and high folate. Thyroid was normal. She is not on any supplements.
So, what does high folate and b12 mean? She was previously diagnosed, about 2 years ago, with lactose intolerance. It was so bad, that she had constant bloating and diarrhea. Plus, they looked at her colon and it had ulcers on it and indicative of allergies.
So could she have Celiac disease? I have also heard that these test results could indicate cancer?
Hi I heard on a cassette tape that bacteria manufacture B-12 in the gut. So now I want to know what the diet has consisted of including at school? Has there been a lot of meat eggs or other animal product?
Hi I heard on a cassette tape that bacteria manufacture B-12 in the gut. So now I want to know what the diet has consisted of including at school? Has there been a lot of meat eggs or other animal product?
She eats cereal, yogurt, apples, salami, cheese, carrots. She does not eat much meat, eggs and animal products. The only meat is usually chicken 1-2 x per week. She eats a lot of bread.
Hi cheese is a lactose product since there is milk in cheese. There is also milk and lots of bacteria in yogurt. A person might want to skip this product and it may, over time help to cut down gas production. Grains, beans and nuts in limited to average quantities might be substituted for animal products to obtain protein and cut down vitamin B-12. Vegetables might be increased. A raw cabbage and carrot slaw with a few black olives without most additives added made with a small amount of lemon juice instead of vinegar may help the gut to heal and feel better. Instead of using cereals which contain added B-12 and folate one might use the whole grain product. A person might use cooked brown rice in a crockpot overnight and added raisins and raw cut up fruits added in the morning in the bowl for taste, or oatmeal from the large quick oat or rolled oat cannisters. I hope this is useful. :smile:
Hi cheese is a lactose product since there is milk in cheese. There is also milk and lots of bacteria in yogurt. A person might want to skip this product and it may, over time help to cut down gas production. Grains, beans and nuts in limited to average quantities might be substituted for animal products to obtain protein and cut down vitamin B-12. Vegetables might be increased. A raw cabbage and carrot slaw with a few black olives without most additives added made with a small amount of lemon juice instead of vinegar may help the gut to heal and feel better. Instead of using cereals which contain added B-12 and folate one might use the whole grain product. A person might use cooked brown rice in a crockpot overnight and added raisins and raw cut up fruits added in the morning in the bowl for taste, or oatmeal from the large quick oat or rolled oat cannisters. I hope this is useful. :smile:
She has allergies to nuts and orange juice, lactose intolerant. Could she have Celiac Disease?
My daughter, 8 years old, has been irritable and tired. She also has been more pale than normal. She has small red blood cells, but this is not unusual for her. In the past her iron stores has been low. But not now . . .
. . . with lactose intolerance. It was so bad, that she had constant bloating and diarrhea. Plus, they looked at her colon and it had ulcers on it and indicative of allergies.
So could she have Celiac disease?
Yes, she should be tested for Celiac. I'm surprised the docs didn't test her first off?
Last edited by AuntieLeela; 01-30-2011 at 11:35 AM.
Hi I would avoid anything she is allergic to. The words beginning with the letters lact usually indicate milk in them. If a person is lactose intolerant in my opinion it may be better to avoid the milk type of products. In the process of living bacteria ferment food and give off gas. This then comes out in the form of flatus. In my opinion if the suggestions mentioned do not help after about 30-60 days a person could try leaving out the gluten products to see if bowel movements straighten out and bowels feel better, at least temporarily for a few months. It might be nice to check to see if the folate and B-12 levels have lowered after a few months of freedom from boxed cereals and the other measures.
I would welcome information on what is decided and what changes in condition there are.
I question gluten free for long term since with some people on long term diets with gluten free food I have noticed something with other peoples stories that there are other symptoms. A GI specialist could be consulted but it sounds a bit like maybe they already have since sores were mentioned. Celiac disease has a test but in the process a biopsy when taken in my opinion may simply leave the bowel open to infection or problems in addition to expense. It is said the celiac test may not be that accurate anyway.
Dark green leafy vegetables do contain a fair to high amount of folate. I might not want to leave them out forever though. Later after things heal up maybe occasional limited amounts might be used.
Hi I heard on a cassette tape that bacteria manufacture B-12 in the gut. So now I want to know what the diet has consisted of including at school? Has there been a lot of meat eggs or other animal product?
Just found out today that she has very low vitamin D levels, also. Her Folate was high @ 30.4 and high B12 @ 1738. Not sure how high those are compared to ranges. We go in tomorrow for a Celiac disease test. Does she also need to have a biopsy done on her stomach and colon lining?
I wouldn't get my kid that biopsy, at least not until I determined whether or not it was a gluten problem, something that can be fixed with diet changes.
The Following User Says Thank You to SnowBunny2020 For This Useful Post: sjb (01-31-2011)
Hi the truth is I am highly opinionated against any biopsy at all although I wanted to provide that information because of the question asked. If peices of a person's body are invaded it leaves potential for bacteria to enter at the points of invasion. I would just try temporary diet changes. I would have her outside more in sunshine and fresh air to raise natural levels of vitamin D.
If her Celiac Panel blood test is elevated, your doc may suggest a biopsy of the small intestine to verify the test results.
Docs need to know how much damage has happened to the intestinal lining. It can take two years or more for the lining to heal, during that time nutritional deficiencies can continue even if the disease itself has been stopped by the GF diet.
Kids do tend to heal faster than adults.
Some docs don't bother with the biopsy if the celiac panel is really high.
Last edited by AuntieLeela; 01-31-2011 at 10:12 PM.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to AuntieLeela For This Useful Post: selah7 (02-01-2011), sjb (02-01-2011)
