LoneStar Bariatrics emphasizes patient care as much as … patient follow up !!
Today, we want to discuss the importance of vitamins, specifically vitamin B1, or thiamine.
Thiamine is essential for nerve conduction and function and for converting carbohydrates into energy.
Specifically, thiamine plays a vital role in nerve function and signaling.
Without adequate thiamine, patients can suffer permanent and irreversible damage.
Thiamine is a liquid soluble vitamin like other B vitamins, while other vitamins are fat soluble vitamins.
The fat-soluble vitamins are
- Vitamin A: essential for vision and immune function
- Vitamin D: essential for calcium absorption and healthy bones
- Vitamin E: essential for cellular antioxidant
- Vitamin K: essential for blood clotting
Vitamin B1 is very special. Thus, we specifically include Thiamine as an individual post op vitamin to take in addition to a standard bariatric multivitamin.
Thiamine deficiency causes many symptoms and can vary from early to late symptoms, some more profound than others. Thiamine deficiency, if severe, is called beriberi.
Early symptoms include:
- fatigue
- irritability
- poor memory recollection
- mood swings
- depression
Moderate:
- Confusion
- Delirium
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness and tingling
- Double and blurred vision
Severe:
- Heart failure
- Permanent peripheral nerve damage
Severe thiamine deficiency, or beriberi, can be seen in malnourished and alcoholic patients. Given the function of thiamine, we cannot overstate its importance and the need to comply with post op instructions.
Deficiencies are typically easy to avoid. Thus, taking thiamine as instructed for the first month postoperatively should prevent any potential deficiency.
Patients routinely take 100mg orally daily. However, this medication can be administered via IV. If someone is having difficulties swallowing or drinking, this can be ordered as an infusion.
Thiamine is a crucial vitamin. We check your levels routinely for the first year.
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