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Hi,
It's well known that untreated celiacs are at risk for malabsorption of
vitamins such as folic acid or B12. My question is: what is the
shortest amount of time it might take, after beginning a gluten
challenge, for a vitamin deficiency to manifest itself (e.g. folic acid
deficiency -> neurological symptoms)?
I always assumed that a vitamin deficiency would take weeks or months to
appear. But I guess it could happen more rapidly - particularly if:
1) we had sub-optimal levels even before the gluten challenge
or
2) it's our ability to *use* the vitamin that's impaired, rather than
our *supply* of it
or
3) it's a water-soluble vitamin, and thus not stored by the body (as I
recall from remembrances of biology lessons past)
Any vitamin experts out there who can help with this?
Eleanor
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