Susan's Place Transgender Resources

There are a lot of discussions about Vitamins that I found through searching but no real "What is everyone taking" thread that I could find. I'm posting this on the HRT board instead of the Nutrition board because I specifically am hoping to get the perspectives of those who are on HRT and may have to make considerations about the interactions or effects of combining certain vitamin supplements with HRT meds.

I just went out last night and bought my first bottle of multi-vitamins in a long time. I had seen suggested in a number of places that it is a particularly good idea to take a multi-vitamin throughout transition.  I ended up having to search quite a bit because I wanted to find one that did not contain potassium since I am on Sprio.  My doctor warned me that Sprio will cause my body to retain more potassium.

So after some searching I settled on One-A-Day Women's Formula. I had looked at their active and weight loss versions but both contained caffeine.  With hair removal and just wanting better skin, I've pretty well cut caffeine out of my diet (anyone want the small hoard of Dt. Mt. Dew and Monster I have left in my fridge?).  Centrum and another generic brand I looked at both had potassium so they were out.  In the end I just kept it simple, but I'm curious what others are taking.

Iron
Magnesium
Zinc
Biotin
Calcium
Vitamin E
Occuvite Eye Vitamin

The rest of my vitamins I get from my food and from the sun.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

I take

  AREDS2 - Age Related EYE Disease Supplement for my macular degeneration
  Calcium
  Vitamin D3
  Fish Oil
  Multi-vitamin mature formula
 
  plus 9 other prescription meds and over the counter

Fish Oil pills.  Vitamin D3, COQ10,  Theaninine....that stuff works well believe it or not for bllod pressure and anxiety.

One-A-Day women's multivitamin, fish oil, biotin, and glucosamine/chondroiton.

I don't think a woman's version of a multi would be necessary or is even a good idea, unless it's a low/no iron version, we don't need it.

Quote from: staciM on May 04, 2017, 02:55:00 PM
I don't think a woman's version of a multi would be necessary or is even a good idea, unless it's a low/no iron version, we don't need it.

   Psychologically it could be a plus...

Hugs,
   Laurie

Quote from: Laurie on May 04, 2017, 03:07:32 PM
   Psychologically it could be a plus...

Hugs,
   Laurie

Excessive Iron may ruin your day though.....whatever gets you by :)

I doubt vitamins can make a real difference in how you do on HRT BUT...

if you are deficient, it can OR
I read several studies suggesting birth control pills can in many women, when taken orally, cause a deficiency in Vitamin B6, rarely folic acid (as well) so that would be something worthwhile to check perhaps. I should check myself.

I personally take some Vitamin D, 1000 IU, from time to time. Not sure if it's really necessary.

One-A-Day makes women's, men's, kid's, and pregnancy versions. Women's seems like the sound choice to me.

Hugs, Devlyn

I discussed vitamins and my diet with my doctor. She said anything more than a woman's One-A-Day would be wasting my money and even that probably was not needed.
I went ahead and stayed with the One-A-Day. Can't say that I feel any better or different. All of my blood works come back normal, I feel fine and I don't get sick. But then that was all the same before the vitamins, so who knows? It won't hurt anything to take it and the multi is not very expensive.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on May 04, 2017, 03:35:19 PM
One-A-Day makes women's, men's, kid's, and pregnancy versions. Women's seems like the sound choice to me.

Hugs, Devlyn

I see your logic but we don't need an iron supplement which is quite common in Woman's multi's, hopefully the reason is obvious :). GNC makes a "without iron" woman's version which you may want to consider.

Quote from: staciM on May 04, 2017, 03:38:43 PM

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on May 04, 2017, 03:35:19 PM
One-A-Day makes women's, men's, kid's, and pregnancy versions. Women's seems like the sound choice to me.

Hugs, Devlyn

I see your logic but we don't need an iron supplement which is quite common in Woman's multi's, hopefully the reason is obvious :). GNC makes a "without iron" woman's version which you may want to consider.

LMAO! You don't have to explain, someone at work just connected the dots for me! I'm blonde for a reason!  :laugh:

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: KayXo on May 04, 2017, 03:28:17 PM

I personally take some Vitamin D, 1000 IU, from time to time. Not sure if it's really necessary.

My calcium and vitamin D3 were prescribed for me by my oncologist based on a deficiency in my labs. Don't remember just what it was. It is not unusual to be vitamin D deficient up here in the Pacific Northwest too.

  Hugs,
   Laurie

I'm deliberately taking iron, magnesium, and zinc because last December I was borderline anemic from too many blood donations too close together last year.  I told my Dr what I was doing and she said to continue.  If everything is back to normal this summer I'll probably stop the iron.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

Quote from: Laurie on May 04, 2017, 04:44:22 PM
My calcium and vitamin D3 were prescribed for me by my oncologist based on a deficiency in my labs. Don't remember just what it was.

The problem with the labs is they measure the inactive form while the active form is in the majority of individuals fine so I wonder whether most of us really need to supplement.

Quote from: KayXo on May 04, 2017, 08:33:24 PM
The problem with the labs is they measure the inactive form while the active form is in the majority of individuals fine so I wonder whether most of us really need to supplement.

  I've put my life in my oncologist's hands and I am comfortable with it there, and she's a doctor.  I think I will continue to put my trust in what she says I need or not.

  Hugs,
    Laurie

I'm presently taking:
Standard multivitamin
Biotin
Folic acid
D3
Taurine
Cysteine
Lysine
Trace minerals

This is an interesting thread and got me to wondering what's different between men's and women's multi-vitamins. I take Equate Men's One Daily Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplement from Walmart. According to the items' web pages, the women's version is higher in vitamin D, thiamine, calcium and iron. Some of the other nutrients are the same dosage; most have a higher dosage in the men's supplement. The ones that are more, are usually a lot more, up to 5X more. Curiously, the website lists potassium in the men's supplement only at 99mg (3% DV). It's not listed on the retail packaging and it's absence is one of the reasons that I bought it. :(

I've been thinking of taking an additional vitamin C supplement. I took extra C most of my life but got out of the habit after retirement. Here's a blurb from the University of Maryland Medical Center web site on vitamin C and estrogen:

"Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) -- Vitamin C can cause a rise in estrogen levels when taken with these drugs, particularly if you are deficient in vitamin C to begin with and start taking supplements. Oral estrogens can also decrease the effects of vitamin C in the body."

Seems to be worth considering.

All the best,
--AshleyP

I take B12 because I'm vegan and D3 on the recommendation of my HRT doc.  The D3 is less necessary in summer than in winter here in the great white north, but, since I should be limiting sun exposure anyway (I get melasma thanks to HRT, plus all the other reasons to avoid excess sun), it is probably good to have it.

I rely on diet for all the other nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

For me ..
Calcium/Vit D3 - for osteopenia / osteoporosis (which I've had last 10 years or so).
Biton - hair growth (my mother swears by it, and she had very thing hair before taking it... its much better now)
Magnesium - per docs recommendation for my daily headaches.
Fish Oil - Helps boobs (theoretically lol).
E - to help wound healing ... at least for the next couple months.

Other than that, regular meds
Progesterone
Depo-Estradiol.
Fosamax (bone loss)

I should be on iron, because of chronically low hemoglobin/hematocrit but I can't stand the constipation from it.. so until it drops too low, I'll hang off & try eating more beats or something.

I have so many problems generally attributed to only women of my age it isn't funny anymore.

Doreen,

Are you sure you are taking enough E as osteoporosis should be prevented with E? E also seems to help stave off headaches, helps boobs, improves wound healing, accelerates and prolongs hair growth, etc. Just curious... Are you on a special diet? Do you eat any meat? Are you restricting calories? Stressed out?

Not a doctor, just inquiring...if you don't mind. Headaches can also be a symptom of a prolactinoma.

If you are eating a balanced diet, most people do NOT need additional vitamins.

Having said this, I take Centrum, but any once a day multivit is just fine. The only reason to take a single vitamin supplement is if your physician specifically prescribes it for you.

Just an aside, I'd think with the constant barrage of blood tests we take while were transitioning, I'd be inclined to take nothing if a normal healthy diet was finding me in the reference range for the battery of tests were forced to take. I'm having surgery in a couple of weeks and was made to take complete blood and urine tests for pre surgery precautions. All my tests were in the reference range. I take no supplementation of any sort. I'm trying to imagine why I would want to given those results. My point being, wouldn't it just  be best till you have you blood tests that are periodically required, to leave well enough alone. If after the tests, you find an issue, address it then. So many people self medicate with over the counter supplementation and create issues for themselves. Plus, it's relatively expensive for what may be of no resultant use.

I'm taking:

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Fish Oil
Metformin


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As for vitamins, I take fish oil for cholesterol, iron due to anemia (which I have always had), and a multivitamin.

Quote from: jentay1367 on May 10, 2017, 08:15:38 PM
Just an aside, I'd think with the constant barrage of blood tests we take while were transitioning, I'd be inclined to take nothing if a normal healthy diet was finding me in the reference range for the battery of tests were forced to take. I'm having surgery in a couple of weeks and was made to take complete blood and urine tests for pre surgery precautions. All my tests were in the reference range. I take no supplementation of any sort. I'm trying to imagine why I would want to given those results. My point being, wouldn't it just  be best till you have you blood tests that are periodically required, to leave well enough alone. If after the tests, you find an issue, address it then. So many people self medicate with over the counter supplementation and create issues for themselves. Plus, it's relatively expensive for what may be of no resultant use.

Hi Jen,

  Long time no chat. Missed ya.

  I would tend to agree with you. I take several supplements and my doctors are all well aware of what I take. With the exception of a multivitamin and fish oil all were prescribed by my doctors. I do not add to my list without them knowing about it as a rule. Okay okay Yes, I did start HRT w/o telling them but I did tell at the first doctor visit after I started.

   I have lobbied my doctor to increase my estradiol and adding progesterone twice. I have some on hand here and could do so if I wanted to bypass his instructions, But I have not done so,  I have been a good girl. Very tempted, but I doing as I am told.

Hugs,
   Laurie

I take a women's multivitamin and biotin.

I do calcium with vitamin D daily, occasionally a pro-biotic capsule, that is it. Everything else has to come from diet.

Ya I'm on injectable E as well as progesterone.. my estrogen is nice & high.  I'm neither stressed out nor on any particular diet.. though I do watch my weight as I'm in my 40's, so I restrict bad foods like sodas (bad for bones btw), processed food, etc. and focus on organic stuff.   I'm not perfect at this, but it keeps my weight within a good range.  Keep in mind many in my family are overweight, so I'd like to avoid this.

I keep fairly fit by practicing weight-bearing exercises and martial arts.. so its not being sedentary causing it.   Honestly I suspect I always HAD thin bones, my teeth would break easy when I was young & my mother admitted she didn't have enough calcium when I was born.  Just something I'm watching out for now for sure.

Quote from: KayXo on May 08, 2017, 09:40:58 PM
Doreen,

Are you sure you are taking enough E as osteoporosis should be prevented with E? E also seems to help stave off headaches, helps boobs, improves wound healing, accelerates and prolongs hair growth, etc. Just curious... Are you on a special diet? Do you eat any meat? Are you restricting calories? Stressed out?

Not a doctor, just inquiring...if you don't mind. Headaches can also be a symptom of a prolactinoma.

I just take iron but I was told I should take vitinin D as well
Before I started hrt my iron was fine and then about 2 years ago it started dropping to the pint where I was close to needing a IV infusing to bringing it up to the exceptable leve.........

Cheers Tracy

Off the top off my head, I came across a journal article that showed that about 65-70% of Americans were chronically  Vitamin D deficient.

Definitely one vitamin to take, given the nasty consequences of osteoporosis.   The only other one that may be necessary is B12 if you are vegan.

Any other supplements would be on a case by case personal health issue basis.

Eat nutritional yeast for B12 and liver for D.  Eggs are also a good source for both vitamins.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

Quote from: Deborah on May 12, 2017, 09:20:00 AM
Eat nutritional yeast for B12 and liver for D.  Eggs are also a good source for both vitamins.

I eat eggs almost daily and liver every few weeks, also rich in Vitamin A. Eggs with bacon, so yummy. Liver with red caramelized onions, yummy too! :)

Quote from: luna nyan on May 12, 2017, 08:29:04 AM
Off the top off my head, I came across a journal article that showed that about 65-70% of Americans were chronically  Vitamin D deficient.

Definitely one vitamin to take, given the nasty consequences of osteoporosis.   The only other one that may be necessary is B12 if you are vegan.

Any other supplements would be on a case by case personal health issue basis.

It's very possible because many people are spending more time indoors and have minimal sun exposure. Combine that with people replacing milk with soft drinks and you  have a real problem. I have read were college age kids were having bone issues because of the lack of calcium and vitamin D.

I don't take any vitamins. I just eat healthy. Most of the vitamins you take in a multi-vitamin are not needed if you eat well, and you just pee them out.


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Quote from: RavenMoon on May 12, 2017, 05:06:13 PM
I don't take any vitamins. I just eat healthy. Most of the vitamins you take in a multi-vitamin are not needed if you eat well, and you just pee them out.


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Yes, this is true for most vitamins, the water soluble ones anyway.

For the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K, it is possible to build up excessive levels, especially Vit A and Vit D.

Funny thing.. I drink milk like no tomorrow, get plenty of sunlight (I regularly garden).  I STILL managed to come down with osteopenia/porosis bordering.  Only reason I take calcium/vit d is frankly I don't want to break anymore bones. Before folks get too judgmental about those on supplements, understand there are various reasons for being on them.  There are some I don't take (like iron) because of the complications the vitamins create... ultimately its a personal medical choice.

Quote from: Doreen on May 12, 2017, 11:27:24 PM
Funny thing.. I drink milk like no tomorrow, get plenty of sunlight (I regularly garden).  I STILL managed to come down with osteopenia/porosis bordering.  Only reason I take calcium/vit d is frankly I don't want to break anymore bones. Before folks get too judgmental about those on supplements, understand there are various reasons for being on them.  There are some I don't take (like iron) because of the complications the vitamins create... ultimately its a personal medical choice.

I actually think it's smart and proactive to take vitamins that blood tests reflect that you are or may be lacking in. But to just use a multi-vitamin shotgun approach? It seems like hubris that may come back to bite you. You can literally overdose on anything. Folks need to understand that. Some people think since it's O.T.C., it's innocuous. In a world where you can kill yourself simply by drinking too much water, it's a good idea to be cautious about anything you ingest. 

Thanks for the concern :) Last time I checked my labs (in particular concern for me were vit d/calcium)  they were well within normal limits.. really most vitamins (unless you take a huge amount) your body excretes anyways.. so the actual effectiveness of them in the first place is often in question. Nonetheless, yes, always be in contact with medical professionals and don't just DIY.  Kidney and liver function is also important.. don't want to damage those either.

According to an article originally published in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine, there is no real benefit to multivitamins and some possible serious health issues from doing so.

The gist seems to be, take a specific supplement if needed due to deficiency, but otherwise, save your money.

Quote from: Dani on May 12, 2017, 05:59:20 PM
Yes, this is true for most vitamins, the water soluble ones anyway.

For the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K, it is possible to build up excessive levels, especially Vit A and Vit D.

Yes, also true. I didn't feel like stating that. Lol. Too much vitamin A can be toxic.


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Quote from: kelly_aus on May 13, 2017, 04:01:11 AM
According to an article originally published in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine, there is no real benefit to multivitamins and some possible serious health issues from doing so.

The gist seems to be, take a specific supplement if needed due to deficiency, but otherwise, save your money.

Exactly. That was probably where I read that.
If a doctor says you need iron or whatever, then follow the doctor's orders.

Also, I read about trans women taking prenatal vitamins on the belief that it will help hair grow. But any benefits pregnancy has for hair or nails is due to the increased hormone levels, and not vitamins.


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I added a probiotic supplement yesterday.  We'll see if that does anything.  I hope so because it's kind of expensive.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

Quote from: Deborah on May 13, 2017, 06:13:41 PM
I added a probiotic supplement yesterday.  We'll see if that does anything.  I hope so because it's kind of expensive.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

And what would you expect it to do and how would you possibly know? A feeling? Could that be placebo cuz' you want it to work? This is precisely why I don't bother with this stuff.

I only added it because a food book by an MD I am reading recommended it.  If I feel good and everything is functioning as it is now or better then I may keep it up.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

Quote from: kelly_aus on May 13, 2017, 04:01:11 AM
According to an article originally published in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine, there is no real benefit to multivitamins and some possible serious health issues from doing so.

The gist seems to be, take a specific supplement if needed due to deficiency, but otherwise, save your money.

Most of those studies say that a person eating a healthy diet won't benefit from a multivitamin. Most people don't eat anything close to a healthy diet. I know I put too much pizza into myself to ever consider my eating habits healthy.

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on May 13, 2017, 06:48:30 PM
Most of those studies say that a person eating a healthy diet won't benefit from a multivitamin. Most people don't eat anything close to a healthy diet. I know I put too much pizza into myself to ever consider my eating habits healthy.

Hugs, Devlyn

Many of these "vitamins" are synthetic and have very low to absolutely no bio-availability. More snake oil foisted on an unwitting public.

The Hypnotoad told me to take them. All glory to the Hypnotoad!

Well....if the Hypnotoad said to do it, then I guess I will too! Damned Hypnotoad, always making me do something I don't wanna do. Worse than a damned Husband :laugh:

Quote from: KathyLauren on May 07, 2017, 01:25:54 PM
I take B12 because I'm vegan and D3 on the recommendation of my HRT doc.  The D3 is less necessary in summer than in winter here in the great white north, but, since I should be limiting sun exposure anyway (I get melasma thanks to HRT, plus all the other reasons to avoid excess sun), it is probably good to have it.

I rely on diet for all the other nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Same here. I'm vegan and we have the same vitamin regimen.

Quote from: jentay1367 on May 13, 2017, 06:59:15 PM
Many of these "vitamins" are synthetic and have very low to absolutely no bio-availability. More snake oil foisted on an unwitting public.

When I took my Vitamin D, my levels substantially increased so it worked. :)

Quote from: KayXo on May 14, 2017, 09:52:18 AM
When I took my Vitamin D, my levels substantially increased so it worked. :)

****SIGH****

QuoteMany of these "vitamins

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on May 13, 2017, 06:48:30 PM
Most of those studies say that a person eating a healthy diet won't benefit from a multivitamin. Most people don't eat anything close to a healthy diet. I know I put too much pizza into myself to ever consider my eating habits healthy.

Hugs, Devlyn

There are far worse things than pizza! It's bread, tomatoes and cheese! lol Just don't over do it. I love pizza.

But you are right, many people don't eat well.

I became a vegetarian about 5 years ago.  I also stopped drinking soft drinks and eating junk food, though I do have some chips and a cookie or two. And a beer or glass of wine every day. 

Every day I eat things like oatmeal, brown rice, some green veggies, beans, cheese, and a lot of turmeric (I like curry and spicy foods). And things like black bean burgers and Tofurky Tandoori "chicken" or similar. Maybe an egg every now and then. And that's pretty much it.

I lost extra pounds I didn't want, and feel great. And no one thinks I'm 60 years old! lol  But that's also genetics and I stay out of the sun.

I take a lot of supplements
But for the vitamins I only take

Multivitamins and minerals for women
Biotin
Vitamin D3
Vitamin C

The other antioxidants college etc are more of supplements than basic vitamins


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