<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Check out these articles on thiamine deficiency...

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic221.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic221.htm

Thiamine is found in very few food, killed by heat, and destroyed by an
acid in coffee (reg & decaf).  Need is increased by diet high in carbs or
nitrates/nitrites which require a NADH emzyme, made from thiamine-derived
cofactor A... (And another website--
http://www.mc.uky.edu/ahec/skyahec/methem-CE.htm )  Unfortunately, the
most common form used in foods & vitamins is thiamine mono-nitrate.
Supplementation w/ that seems like two step ahead & 1 back at the very
least.
(Freeda vitamins have the HCL form of thiamine. www.freedavitamins.com )

I developed a nitrate overload from long term use of sensitivity
toothpaste containing potassium nitrate and caused nitrite sensitivity
which resulted in painful dermatitis.  Source of most dietary nitrates is
from vegetables--roots, stems, leaves, green parts. Reducing stomach acid
(w/ drugs) encourages the growth of bacteria which converts nitrates to
nitrites in the stomach & mouth.  After months of trial & error, I've
found I get skin reactions from the 3 mg of thiamine mononitrate in
vitamins.

(Worst part is that after every test in the book, I had to do the
research & dx the problem my self.  Still figuring out how to make it go
away permanently so I can start eating some vegetable again, but my
painful heat & pressure sensitivie blisters on my palms & soles is now
99% better on my mostly veggie-free, gluten-free diet.)

Potassium regulates the electical system in the heart. Normal range is
small, between- 3.6 and 5.0  Too much & you get heart problems &
diet...Same goes for too little. Supplementing should be done under
medical supervision.  Test is easy for doctor to run.  I have
hypertension, probably caused by the nitrate toxicity.  Unfortunately, I
can no longer take diuretics as part of treatment because I lose so much
potassium & rx potassium supplements don't work. Unfortunately, the other
drugs I've been on don't work well or cause side effects, so I'm still
working w/ my doctor on that one.
_______________________________
I don't know if you can find a cardiologist who would consider celiac in
relation to heart function but it would be a good idea.
   I also experienced arrythmias before going on the gf diet.  I also
know from research that celiac can also cause cardiac myopathy so I do
know that having celiac can have a profound affect on the heart.
    My B12 was down just prior to going on a gf diet.  After getting B12
by injection I diaresed tremendously and I felt so much better.  Have
your husband's B12 checked.  It should be at least 250.
    You are right though, the low magnesium and calcium can play havoc
with heart rhythms.
Nancy RN  Michigan
I don't know if you are aware of this site but www.pubmed.com is a site
that contains many sources of information.   You could put in celiac and
cardiac myopathy  or celiac and arrythmias
_____________________
When they do a blood test that shows  the RBC ( red blood cells)  if they

are high it can cause difficulties with the heart because the blood is
thick. I had very rapid heart beat and skipping. Now after donating blood

for several months I am no longer experiencing these problems.  I was
told
at the blood bank that very few docs find this problem and patients can
also have strokes from this.
__________________
You should consider the possibility of a
magnesium deficiency.  If I didn't take magnesium, I
would have terrible palpitations.  If you do a search
for "magnesium" and "arrythmia" you will find plenty
of information.  A form of magnesium that is often
recommended is magnesium taurate.
__________________
I can only  suggest one approach.  Are you  aware of the difference
between "screening" blood tests and "bioavailable " blood tests ?  The
first is cheaper and is what most doctors use.  The second is more
expensive but tells you how much of the mineral or vitamin is actually
"available" to the body.  In my case, the screen test gave me a low
normal reading, the second told me and my doctor that my vitamin B-12
was extremely
low.
_____________
My cardiologist (and you certainly should see a cadiologist -- I found a
serious, quiet research oriented doctor who listened well) suspected
potassium deficiencies. I was given a 24 hour heart monitor to wear (this
is not invasive and surely must be done)...which showed no gross
arrhythmias.  I could not tolerate the potassium in pill form...so I
decided to get the potassium I needed through diet.  I was able to help
myself by using tons of fresh ruit every morning (and some frozen...all
sugar free, no additives) to make a wonderful smoothie which tastes
great.  I use (all year long) fresh watermelon, fresh mango, fresh
banana, blueberries (frozen sometimes...again no added
ingredients...blueberries only), raspberries (same caution), fresh or
frozen peaches, apple, pear, (winter mostly for the last two), a bit of
orange juice, fresh pineapple...often add fat free yoghurt, but you don't
have to...pure cherry or pure blueberry syrup if you like...all the
potassium cured my leg pain and to a large extent palpitations...

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