Vitamin Absorption Question

I had been on GERD meds for a long time, protonix, prevacid, zantac etc.  I did not realize this could cause malabsorption of vitamins and am chronically deficient in iron, vitamin d, magnesium etc and was put on prescription vitamins.  I stopped taking the acid reflux meds for a few months and now am waking up a lot at night (in addition to my sleep apnea), have gunk in my throat and feel stuff coming back up again.  I also had to go to ER for left side pain and found that my spleen was "upper normal" but "markedly englarged on physical exam" and that it was a little harder/solid than it should be.  I obviously am going to start taking the acid reflux meds again, protonix, but am worried about becoming iron deficient again.  

So my question is this....I know supplements are difficult to get into your system for lack of acid in the stomach when you take protonix....but is it the same for iron rich foods?  Would the stomach also block iron and other nutrients you get from food since it blocks supplements as well?  If so, how can I take the acid reflux meds but still get the nutrients my body needs?

[Caryopteris]

Since you have GERD and a lot of other things going on, apparently, including nutrient deficiency, have you been checked for Celiac disease?  It can cause terrible heartburn symptoms.  You do not have to be skinny to have the condition.  Different people get different symptoms as there are 250 possible symptoms.  If you do have it and you got off gluten, that would control your heartburn.  My friend had heartburn as her only symptom, but found out she was anemic and vitamin D deficient.  I realize you could be deficient just as a result of the medication, but if you have anything autoimmune going on, Celiac disease is a possible culprit.  

For the GERD, you can elevate the head of your bed to have gravity help keep acid down.

[Red_Star]

Insufficient stomach acid is the most common cause of non obstructive acid reflux/GERD.  My mother no longer suffers GERD or LPR taking digestive enzyme supplements (to help with digestion) and betaine HCL with pepsin supplements (to help with low stomach acid).  

The following steps help to determine your stomach’s acidity:

1. Perform this test first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (before
eating or drinking)

2. Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of baking soda into an 8 oz glass of cold water

3. Drink the solution and start timing

4. Record the time until you first burp up gas

5. Perform this test for 5 consecutive days (or longer) at the same time each day to give a better estimation of your stomach’s acidity

Time until first burp:

5 min: possible hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)

No burping indicates achlorhydria (no stomach acid).

[Red_Star]

Hmm that didn't post well. :) Let's try again...

Time until first burp:

Under 2 min: indicates normal acidity
2-5 min: low-normal acidity
Over 5 min: possible hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)

No burping indicates achlorhydria (no stomach acid).

[Red_Star]

Forgot to add, if you burp immediately and excessively your stomach acid level is probably too high.