This topic is about a person who discovered they had a severe vitamin C deficiency, similar to scurvy, after having an ileostomy. This condition was identified by their rheumatologist due to symptoms like cracked, bleeding skin, hair loss, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, bleeding gums, weakness, and limb "lock-ups." A vitamin C test confirmed the deficiency, likely caused by a lack of citrus fruits in their diet since the surgery. Here are some helpful insights and advice for those in similar situations:

- The vitamin C level was found to be 7 µmol/L, which is in the deficiency range.
- The probable cause was minimal intake of citrus or fruit since the ileostomy, as the person stopped drinking orange juice or V8.
- It's important for ostomates to not overlook basic nutrition, and routine checks of vitamin levels are recommended.

Additional steps and considerations:

1. Plan to ask your primary-care doctor to run a full vitamin and mineral panel, especially if you have an ileostomy.
2. Start taking vitamin C supplements, such as 500 mg tablets twice daily, and consider adding juices to your diet, but be aware that it might take time to feel better.
3. Avoid whole oranges if advised by a dietitian, as pulp-free juice is often safer for ileostomates to prevent blockages from membranes or seeds.

Advice and insights for maintaining good health:

- Schedule regular blood work that includes a full vitamin and mineral panel, focusing on zinc, B6, B12, and magnesium, at least once a year. It's important to advocate for your own health needs.
- Ileostomates often need extra B12, and a daily orange-flavored sublingual B12 tablet can be a convenient option.
- Consider multivitamin options like chewable gummies, which are easy to take, or one-a-day bariatric-patient multivitamins, which provide broad coverage and may offer quick symptom relief.
- For vitamin C, tablets or pulp-free juices are good options to avoid fiber and seed issues. Whole oranges can be consumed if peeled thoroughly, but individual tolerance varies.
- Remember, "We are what we eat." Even small nutrient gaps can lead to significant health problems, so consistent supplementation and diet monitoring are crucial after ostomy surgery.