Vitamin D Deficiency

[Christine]

I found out the other day that I am not at optimal levels for Vitamin D.

One of my doctors who is not well-versed at all in Vitamin D ordered the test for me (he was ordering some other stuff and threw that in as a favor to me, but also told me he wasn't educated on it).

So, now I have these results and I know I can easily take Vitamin D3 to increase my levels.

I was just wondering if anyone else is dealing with this and how it is going?

My level was a 20 ng (normal is 20-100 ng while "optimal" is 30-60 ng).

 

[DVCLiz]

I found out the other day that I am not at optimal levels for Vitamin D.

One of my doctors who is not well-versed at all in Vitamin D ordered the test for me (he was ordering some other stuff and threw that in as a favor to me, but also told me he wasn't educated on it).

So, now I have these results and I know I can easily take Vitamin D3 to increase my levels.

I was just wondering if anyone else is dealing with this and how it is going?

My level was a 20 ng (normal is 20-100 ng while "optimal" is 30-60 ng).

Yes, I think doctors are beginning to test for this and finding a huge number of women are deficient. Mine was tested for the first time in late fall and my level was 11. I was put on 50,000 units once a week for six weeks and I am supposed to be taking a 2,000 unit once a day now (drat, I keep forgetting to get them!! I will put that on my list for tomorrow.)

I felt a LOT better - less lethargic and tired - once I had the supplements. I am going to keep taking them and I go back and get tested in a couple of weeks.

 

[Christine]

Wow, 11 is pretty low! That's interesting (and good) that you are feeling better.

My co-worker tested at 24. My mom tested up in the 50s (go figure). Not sure why her number was so good. She is darker skinned, doesn't hang out in the sun, etc.

 

[fimac]

Hi,

My oldest son is lacking in vit d. Tested at 16 first time after 6 months tested at 18. Using Vit d with calcium and vit d chewables. He is now on a triple dose of vit d drops which I found at the pharmacy. He likes the drops because they are easy to add to a juice or cereal at breakfast. He was tested because he is really good at breaking bones. I would recommend the drops if you can find them as they are very convenient.

 

[JoBird]

Ooh- I just read a report about Vit D levels being low in people in the winter in the North- and the correlation between it and having joint pain and arthritis type symptoms!
I found it interesting b/c I lived for almost two years in PA (where it seems to always be cloudy!) and while there I came down with the worst joint pain/arthritis-- the Dr's thought I had Rhumatoid arthritis- all kinds of tests they did on me came back wacky, but they never really diagnosed me with anything.

I don't think Vit D was something they tested.

Anyway- we moved last summer to AR- and since moving here- I have been feeling wonderful!

Did you have any symptoms- is that what made you ask to be tested? If you don't mind me asking- sorry if I'm being nosey.

Jo

Jo

 

[Christine]

Did you have any symptoms- is that what made you ask to be tested? If you don't mind me asking- sorry if I'm being nosey.

Jo

Jo

No specific symptoms. I mean I ache here and there off and on but nothing noteworthy.

I asked for the test because Vitamin D seems to be "all the rage" right now and the deficiency is being targeted in various cancers and autoimmune disease. If I can prevent something like that, then I want to.

I was having other bloodwork done and asked the doctor if he could just throw that one in for my curiosity.

I also feel much better in the sunnier, summer months here so I'm sure there's something to it.

 

[DVCLiz]

No, I didn't have any symptoms (other than feeling so lethargic last winter, which I also put down to some sort of seasonal disorder as well as my tendency to be LAZY!!!!)

I went in for a routine OB/GYN checkup, but it was the first one since I turned 50 so my doctor did a whole blood workup. I also had borderline blood sugar so I saw a nutritionist as well. I hope to get blood sugar and cholesterol under control with diet and exercise but am glad to take supplemental Vitamin D.

 

[mrsv98]

I tested a little low and was on 1000IU/day for a while and now my levels are fine so I take One-A-Day for women with 800IU.

DH is really low and was on the 50,000IU/week for a while and is now taking 2000IU/day. He sees the doc next week and I am sure his levels will get checked again.

Low D can be bad in all sorts of ways so having it checked and getting the levels correct is very important.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I'm also taking vitamin D3 (2000IU/day). Like mentioned above, most people who live in the Northern states usually are low in vitamin D, simply because there is noway to get enough sunlight. Vitamin D also helps protect against cancer.

 

[arminnie]

I got a note in the mail after my physical that I had a referral appt. with an endocrinologist. I went to that appt. thinking that I probably had diabetes (happening to my friends a lot recently). So I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was a vitamin D deficiency.

It's been almost 2 years. My vitamin D is okay - but the stored kind is not where it should be. The endo did a really good explanation of why the weekly mega-doses (which I have done) were not right for this. It made sense at the time, but there's no way I could repeat it.

I take a Calcitrol daily.

 

[JARNJ3]

Yes, I think doctors are beginning to test for this and finding a huge number of women are deficient. Mine was tested for the first time in late fall and my level was 11. I was put on 50,000 units once a week for six weeks and I am supposed to be taking a 2,000 unit once a day now (drat, I keep forgetting to get them!! I will put that on my list for tomorrow.)

I felt a LOT better - less lethargic and tired - once I had the supplements. I am going to keep taking them and I go back and get tested in a couple of weeks.

I was\am in exactly the same boat. 11 too. I think the Vitamin D deficiency is the lastest preventative measure.... I am still on the once a week 50,000. I haven't reallynoticed that much of a difference - could be because I forgot to take calcium along with it........ I just remembered and started taking 500 mg.

 

[winnapooh]

My levels were extremely low (like 10 or less, can't remember exactly). My doctor put me on the 50,000 mg pills, then told me to take 1000-1200 mg a day thereafter. He actually said that everyone should take at least 1000 mg a day, as it is so beneficial, and many people are deficient. It's funny, because this doctor is pretty anti-medicine (except where it is truly needed, and he will prescribe when necessary or when the patient insists, after a lecture first of course!), but when it comes to Vitamin D, he insists on people taking it!

 

[lucas]

I just read on the NIH website that excess intake of vitamin D could cause kidney stones.

Also, there is another thread on the subject of Vitamin D Deficiency: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2010166

 

[manning]

Just recently it was discovered how important vitamin D is. Right now 1,000 units is recommended with the possibllity of more as they research it more.

If you are going to take a supplement, take D3. 15 minutes a day between 11-3 without sunscreen three times a weeks is all you need for your body to produce it.

Doctors even believe it could be important in the fight against cancer.

 

[arminnie]

I was\am in exactly the same boat. 11 too. I think the Vitamin D deficiency is the lastest preventative measure.... I am still on the once a week 50,000. I haven't reallynoticed that much of a difference - could be because I forgot to take calcium along with it........ I just remembered and started taking 500 mg.

My endo had me STOP taking calcium supplements while on the vitamin D.

 

[quasar4legs]

Recently diagnosed myself and am in the process of organising a bone density test to see if the deficency has led to osteoporosis.
I live in australia and have been very careful about using sunblock when outside so as not to get skin cancer. Now I have to spend 20 to 30 mins every day before 10am out in the sun without sunblock.
I've been having my breakfast outside and it has been quite nice and hopeful that combined with the supplement will start to make a difference.

Trish