pica ?

posted on the main board but thought i'd try here too, I have been craving weird things and think i have pica, i was wondering if anyone has experienced this i will see my doctor but was wondering if anyone might know what kind of nutritional deficencies can cause it so I can suggest some things for my doctor to check i just looked online and it did say anemia can cause it and i did just have plastics done so will definitly have that checked but it also said other minerals and nutritional deficiencies can cause it but didnt specify, so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Get your labs checked. All of them. A thorough lab draw should consist of about 15 tub things being drawn!!    I went through that when I was severely anemic. I ended up having to have an iron infusion as I just don't absorb iron from my food/suppliments.  I had to have "crunchy" things. I swear if I didn't get something crunchy, I would have knawed on a pencil or something. For me it went away after my iron infusion.  Best of wishes to you.

I will do that, I've been a little anemic before but not with pica, I think  my recent surgery may have caused it agian, going to doctors tommorrow. 

I'm a little confused by what you are saying. PICA behavior is seen as eating non eatible things. That would mean, pencils, nails, plastic etc.

There is some research sugesting that deficiencies in iron an other metal nutrients can cause unusual cravings. I would have you labs checked.

Are you saying that you are eating things that are not eatible.

I crave chalky stuff but i wont eat it, i just want to chew on something powdery and dry, I dont eat It !!!  Its so weird. I've read about the anemia causing it, online. I'm going to the doctors tommorrow!

It  usually means anemia. it is also very common in pregnancy as is anemia.  I had it with my son. I craved chalk, argo starch, paper bags, dirt, & coal. I know  weird. I ate it tho, all  except the coal. Get your labs checked for sure. Good Luck, Terri

Specifically iron anemia. If you were not on adequate amounts since your original WLS, it's certainly common among us and shows up quite frequently after plastics. Adequate amounts are measured in hundreds of mg elemental iron, BTW.

There's also pernicisou anemia (B12) and other anemias. But pica is usually manifested in iron deficiency anemia.

The doc may tell you to get 325mg of ferrous sulfate, which is 65mg of elemental iron that you cannot absorb. In fact, most of the ferrous irons are not well absorbed and are not measured in elemental mg on the front of the package (usually on the back).

Iron is always taken with vit C, never with dairy, caffeine, eggs, whole grains, other vites, minerals or meds. Alone together for at least an horu.

Michelle, are you saying that the iron in our multi's (I'm taking a prenatal with 38mg) is not sufficient; that we should be taking a separate iron supplement, as well? Steph

Not giving medial advice, but like everyone, I'm entitled to my opinion.

NOT EVEN CLOSE! For one thing, it's canceled out by the calcium in the same multi, so that makes it 0g.

2ndly, I start my proximals on 150mg, but eventually, that increases, not decreases.

Iron is always taken with vit C, alone together for one hour, never with dairy, caffeine, eggs, whoe grains, other vites, minerals or meds.

Michelle, here is a link to the label of what I'm currently taking.  I knew that calcium hindered the absorption of iron, but until just now, hadn't noticed how much calcium is in this vitamin.   http://www.nowfoods.com/index.php?action=itemdetail&item_id= 3624 I'm taking six of these caps a day; four is considered one dose. Okay, please suggest some stuff to me!  You can pm me if you would rather, and when it's convenient for you, of course. I want to make sure I'm healthy, not just now, but down the road, too.  I was already worried about how we absorb things, how quickly pills or capsules dissolve, etc.  Now I'm really unsure of it all. My labs came back looking great  in July,except that my wbc's were a tiny bit low.  I'm supposed to have that rechecked, but haven't done so yet.  I do take b-12 injections monthly, but no extra iron or anything.  Can you advise, based on your educated opinion?   Thanks in advance! Steph   edited to add that I do take two Citracal chewables at night, so that's 1000 mg. I take the multis during the day, with breakfast and then mid afternoon.