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

Thanks to all the 60+ respondents to my post about a history of unexplained
bruising. It seems this is quite prevalent, although a search of the medical
literature came up empty on any "scientific" connection. About 3/4 of
responses were from listmates who also bruise "mysteriously," and many
respondents offered possible explanations.

Most of the explanations suggested a lack of Vitamin K....but please see the
last response in this post from someone who had a mini-stroke from taking
supplements! The first respondent in Part 2 (to follow immediately) suggests
getting Vit K from food sources.

Others surmised that poor absorption of vitamins/minerals in general due to
CD might be responsible. Many respondents said the bruising was most
prevalent on their legs, as is mine. Several people suggested anemia or low
iron is responsible. (My iron levels are fine.) Still others said it could
be due to taking NSAIDs, and I truly think that has a lot to do with my
bruising because I've been taking them all my life for migraines and more
recently for fibromyalgia!

 I will summarize a number of responses below. Again, thank you to
everyone...you're all the best!

This is Part 1; Part 2 to follow.

Barrie in GA

*******************

* You should talk with your doctor since you may have a vitamin K
deficiency or thin blood vessels

* I have no idea what the root cause is, but I too have always had a problem
with bruising. There was more than one instance in school where teachers saw
the bruises and became concerned thinking foul play. I always had to assure
them that this was not the case. Particularily my shins and forearms were
very bad.

* My family used to tease me because I had so many bruises of unknown
origin. Once I was diagnosed with CD and started the GF diet, however,
this bruising was diminished.  I figured the earlier bruising was due to
the malabsorption.

* bruising is often a symptom of low iron (not necessarily anemic)

* I had a lot of bruising when I was searching for a diagnosis and for a
while afterwards.  I was anemic from the malabsorption.  When my iron
levels came up the bruising was less frequent.

* I believe Vit. K is responsible for clotting, and without it or low levels
it would seem that would explain bruises I had that I couldn't explain.

* Do you take aspirin or advil or one of those anti-inflammatory meds?  I
bruise very easily and we finally connected it to aspirin.

* Mine seemed to dramatically improve after awhile on the diet, but if I get
careless or lazy about what I consume it does occasionally come back.

* I learned long before I discovered the celiac-stuff that vitamin C 1-2
grams/day (1000-2000 mgms) for me stopped the bruising IF they were combined
with bioflavinoids (kind of co-factors in vit. C metabolism.)  Even now, if
I get forgetful for a week or more, I bruise again -- and if I try to
increase 'C' alone (no bioflavinoids) then the bruising continues.

* Find someone who can test for leaky gut and then someone who can treat for
it.

* I always bruised easily prior to going gf.  Since going gf however I can
say that it hasn't been a problem

* I started taking vitamin supplements that were supposed to help the
problem [bruising] - vitamin K and Quercitin.  On Oct 30 I had a TIA, or
ministroke!  It occurred less than 2 weeks into the Quercitin use!  So guess
what?  I wouldn't take any vitamins, supplements or any over the counter
tricks to help the bruising.