Vitamin D deficiency....HELP

[cm8]

]How did all of you find out about your deficiency? [/B]
Through routine bloodwork?
or because you complained of some particular symptoms and your doc specifically tested for it?

My ob/gyn at my last physical suggested I begin taking a multivitamin specifically formulated for women because she said many recent studies have been showing vitamin D deficiencies in women and it would be good to be proactive. But she didn't test anything and I didn't complain of anything, it was kind of a generic statement like "all women should now take a multivitamin".

My deficiency was discovered after being hospitalized from severe calcium deficiency as a result of my para-thyroid glands being damaged from Thyroid surgery.

My Endocrinologist is the one who keeps an eye on it and I go get myself tested when I start feeling off

Vitamin D is in fact an hormone and yes it helps to correct it via Vit D3 which I also take on the side . I also have low normal B12 but I suffer from anemia of chronic disease caused by cancer

My symptoms actually mimicked numbness and tingles of my face, arms, legs and nose , since those symptoms also go along with hypocalcemia, it was hard to differentiate at first what was causing what. And on top of that I have an autoimmune disease as well so I'm a walking nightmare

but long story short, it seems to go hand in hand with hypothyroidism and low blood calcium as well as lack of sunlight and nutrients

 

[PatsMom]

My endocrinologist was the first to test for Vitamin D - he did it for all patients and found that many had low levels. I started with 1000 IU/day and am now up to 5000 IU/day. My vitamin D levels are good now. I take one 5000 IU gel cap each morning. My primary care doctor also routinely screens for Vitamin D. Many are deficient and don't realize it.

I also still have anemia that they are trying to determine the reason. I have bladder cancer and we thought that was the cause but the tumors have been removed and the cancer is under control and the anemia continues. I even took a break from treatment to see if that is what was causing the anemia and it did no good.

As an FYI, my endo told me that Vitamin D deficiency is linked to cancer, including breast cancer. So it is especially important for women to have their levels checked and keep them up where they should be.

 

[SingingMUA]

I have a Vitamin D deficiency, also. I have Lupus, and during all the different rounds of bloodwork that were done to confirm my autoimmune issues, it was discovered that I had a deficiency. When it was first tested, my level was at 8... my rheumy said that it should be at least 32 (the lowest "normal"), but should be higher than that.

So, I take 50,000 IU once a week, and I take 8,000 IU daily. I still struggle with keeping it high enough in winter, even with all that. But once summer comes around, it's usually a pretty good number. But, I do have to strike a delicate balance between getting some sun (for vitamin D levels) and staying sun protected (due to Lupus).

 

[7165red]

I have a annual blood test and it show up there.

 

[Buckalew11]

From what I've heard doctors say on Dr. Oz, most ALL people have Vit.D deficiency nowadays.

They always say get 30mins. of sunshine (or just outside a day) but they are finding out we need more.
I even heard one doctor say they were thinking that us slathering up with sunscreen keeps levels low when we do get outside often!

I bought some the other day as I have symptoms like the OP described.

 

[snowy76]

I even heard one doctor say they were thinking that us slathering up with sunscreen keeps levels low when we do get outside often!

I bought some the other day as I have symptoms like the OP described.

This us exactly what my GP says. It's the flip side of being so cautious about skin cancer - Vit d deficiency is very common these days, even in sunny regions.

 

[MickeyOCD]

If you have a Vit D deficiency &/or a calcium deficiency you may have Hypoparathyroidism & you really need to be under the care of an endocrinologist, a GP (while many can be wonderful & very knowledgeable) just doesn't have the expertise to deal with this. I started out with just a calci & vit D deficiency then a yr later developed a magnesium deficiency & then after the birth of my 1st child I developed a potassium deficiency also. The hypoparathyroidism was autoimmune & I didn't develop it until my late 20's. It has been stable, with consitent lab results for 6 yrs now. I just want to let people know of the possibility of developing other vitamin deficiencies especially with large hormonal changes in your life. I hope everyone a good healthy life.