Lack of a nutrient?

Hey guys i need some help or suggestions.  I have really been trying to watch closely what I eat, to get enough nutrients... but for the past week I have been seeing random bruises all over my body.  I dont usually bruise and have done nothing physical to cause them.  Also they dont hurt.  They seem to just be a discoloration of my skin, but they look like bruises.  Has anyone seen or heard of this and what is it from?

Ps this is in the vege forum because I switched to being a vegetarian about a month ago.  I think I might be missing something.

I bruise very easily as well. I won't even remember bumping into something because it didn't hurt when it happened. I didn't even think that it could be because of nutrients...


I can't answer this question though... I probably shouldn't have posted. haha

I had that happen when i was on vacation About 4 weeks ago. Id wake up and have bruises all over. Mine was because i wasnt getting enough Iron Are you getting enough Iron????

thats just the thing.. I thought I was getting enough of everything (like iron, b12, calcium, protien).  But now I dont know.  I just bought some Iron supplements the other day to see if that helps the problem.  But I hate taking supplements if I dont have to.  I think I might have to though ;)

Well if you're going veg I think it's good to take a supplement because chances are you aren't going to be getting everything you need. I've always been really bad about taking them. I guess I should find my bottle... 

yeah i better take some supplements.  I dont want it to turn into anything serious.  But I am seriously opposed to ever switching back to eating meat, so I better take care of myself!

Never thought of that. I bruise easily but that's because I have to take a blood thinner every day.

Have you taken any aspirin the week you got bruises? That definitely makes it worse

a way that you can tell if you are aenemic (first guess is iron, second is lack of B-12) is you can press on your thumb nail or any finger nail. When you pull your finger off of your thumb it should go right back to red quickly, this means you are probably at a decent level. Another quick way to tell is if you pull down your eyelids, are they mostly Reddish/Pink or are they white? If they are white then you could be aenemic.

Bruising easily can be a characteristic, I do. Although more concern are you tired, loss of period, sick to your stomach. I used to balk at taking my vitamin supplements until I got to such a low level that my period stopped, yipes. If you are low in either iron or b-12 your immune system will be weakened strengthening your possibility of getting an illness.

There are some chewable options, but Im not sure if there is one for a multi. I know I take my calcium the easiest because its chewable. You could also tried powders. I started taking Ionic-Fizz for magnesium levels and it is awesome! Most health food stores will also sell Vegetarian Multi Vitamins, I take one and not too large of a size, no horse pills.

Good luck :) If you get too concerned you could always have your blood work done, if you start seeing serious side effects

thanks kpearson, those are good tips.  I tried the finger nail deal, I went right back to red.  My eyes are still pink/red.  I never bruised easily before so i think, i dunno, that it might be a sign I need to start taking those Iron and B12.  I have both, I just hate taking them.

The only thing on this list is that I've still been sick to my stomach.  It seems to happen right after I eat.  And it doesnt matter what I eat, it happens everytime I eat.  Its like a bloating feeling but almost severe, like painful.  I dont know what would cause that.

But I am not giving up!  Thank you

Before you start adding supplements, make a quick trip to your doctor to see if s/he can help you explain the bruising. I was just reading an article yesterday (in a hospital waiting room!) about how we are taking too many vitamins, which can end up having adverse effects on our health. If you're not sure you need them, as with any medication, don't take them. See your doctor first.

Vitamin K deficiency maybe?  Only a blood test will tell you for sure.  There are so many things that can cause that symptom.

I know you all are right, I need the blood tests.  I agree with elm though, I saw a show on how we are taking to many vitamins and they usually dont work anyway cause they aren't combined with the whole foods they are supposed to come from.
However, I'm pretty sure I need to take B12 cause I dont think I'm going to get it any other way.  I dont know about the iron. 

I actually just saw a hematologist two days ago, for a separate issue, and I asked him what my B12 was like, because I was sure vegetarians are always deficient in it. Much to my surprise, he told me that my B12 AND my iron were fine. I do eat eggs and cheese quite frequently, so maybe that's why.

Do not concentrate on just one or two vitamins. Unless you had a blood test indicating shortage, you cannot possibly guess. I would think that taking "once-a-day" multivitamin tablet will cover all you need.

Bruising is certainly not usual for vegetarians, but perhaps you did not eat well and are not yet familiar with how to keep your nutrition well ballanced. In any case take multi-vitamin as good insurance.

Well known reason for bruises is also taking Aspirin (or similar) for some time. I had that experience.

I know the solution!

I've been doing harsh physical work for the past five years in the sweltering heat of Texas, and I've been a vegetarian for the last seven years. I used to be a walking bruise!

Here's what you need to get:
Calcium with Bioflavanoids, and Potassium, which is chemically very similar to salt, so also helps prevent dehydration.
Swear, they take the bruises right out of you.

Ever since I started taking these vitamins two years ago I haven't had a bruise anywhere on my body, even with all of the dehydration, lugging heavy things and banging my calves on liftgates...

Everybody's right about the B vitamins, but don't limit yourself to just B-12, go ahead and get a B-100, loaded with all the Bs.

If you don't want to take supplements, the best thing you can really do for yourself is to drink lots of water, and I know it's hard, but go ahead and eat plenty the really green veggies like spinach and broccoli. - You'll have more energy too.

Crap, I meant Vitamin C with Bioflavanoids... Heh...sorry!

Dark green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K. 

hey,, i wouldn't worry about the bruising. im also a vegetarian your body becomes a custom to how many nutrients your feeding it and adapts to it.. the bruising it wont go away it will continue cause no matter how hard you try you will never be able to intake as much iron as you would be if you were eating meat...just know on you period you need to live off of peanut butter and you'll be fine:)''i mean think about it your eating someone else iron of course your going to get more iron:P. that would be like someone eatting you.. theyd get more nutrients in every department:)

tamara<3

 

hey again

oh my gosh i know what you mean by the sick to your stomach and the bloating being abnormaly painfull...but i dont think that because im a veggie i mean ive been one for 2 years and i eat better then i used two?and the bruising is so normal for me but my nail dont go back to red quick at all andmy eyes are as white as me.? i throw up alot though well i used in the past week ive only been throwing upin ,my mouth.. i also get unual pain through out my body my upper body i cant even touch it hurts so much and my lower body is just so irrated that i can only shave once a week(and i have gym this semester:()but this all began recently and as i already said i didnt just become a vegatarian?.

 

Tamara<3