Vitamin D too low?

[scbelleatheart]

I have had blood tests done for the past year and a half every 2 months. First it was too much calcium, then not enough magnesium. Now the tests show I am so low on Vitamin D it is off the charts. They put me on 50,000 MG a week besides the 2,400 mg of magnesium, and a potassium supplement a day. I am not a sick person! I walk, I work, I exersize. I weigh 150 at 5'6". Well, not good, but not over weight.
BP was 127/70 this week and DR says it needs to go down more. Cholestorel is good, under 150.
I feel like these Doctors are pulling my chain. I also get B6-B12 shots once a week.
If you have ever had low Vitamin D, I have questions.
Should I find a different DR? I know, DUMB question but DH says trust them.
WWYD?
Thanks if you answer, Karen

 

[JaneBanks]

Low Vitamin D is very common. Take your supplements and try to sit in the sun.

 

[mom2boys]

DH was told he had Vit D deficiency. He told the doctor (a personal friend) he was crazy. DH rides his mountain bike every day and spends plenty of time outdoors. After a week or so on the Vit. D, DH felt better than ever. Give it a try.

 

[WDWBarb]

My doctor says that by the time you reach age 40, you can no longer absorb enough D from the sun. He said that deficiencies were an "epidemic" and that almost everyone needs much more.

So supplements are the only way to go. But if you get your levels up, you will find yourself having much more energy.

 

[Tiger926]

OP - why would you feel the doctors are lying to you? What purpose would that serve?

Low Vit D is common - pretty much most Canadian adults are below normal Vit D levels, so we are well educated about low Vit D over here.

My numbers are usually in the 20s, which is very low. I take daily drops (liquid Vit D is the best). Can't take the large protocol that you are on.

Please take your Vit D (which in actuality is a hormone, and not a vitamin), as it's linked to many health issues.

Good luck, Tiger

 

[kermiebudge]

I had bloodwork that came back with super-low Vitamin D levels too.... Dr. gave me a prescription for some crazy amount of Vitamin D taken 1x a week for several months. Now, I just take a regular over the counter D supplement. I'd love to say I had a drastic increase in energy post-supplements, but haven't....although in general, my energy levels are pretty good. I'm sure my upcoming trip to FL will give me a nice sunny boost though!!

Hope you make out o.k. too!

 

[scbelleatheart]

Thank you who to responded. As I said, I am not a sick person, just questioning the test results/Doctor plan of treatment.
BTW, not a Money Grab. I have insuance.
This such a huge board so someone has to have to dealt with this at some time. So I ask!

 

[aprilgail2]

I have had blood tests done for the past year and a half every 2 months. First it was too much calcium, then not enough magnesium. Now the tests show I am so low on Vitamin D it is off the charts. They put me on 50,000 MG a week besides the 2,400 mg of magnesium, and a potassium supplement a day. I am not a sick person! I walk, I work, I exersize. I weigh 150 at 5'6". Well, not good, but not over weight.
BP was 127/70 this week and DR says it needs to go down more. Cholestorel is good, under 150.
I feel like these Doctors are pulling my chain. I also get B6-B12 shots once a week.
If you have ever had low Vitamin D, I have questions.
Should I find a different DR? I know, DUMB question but DH says trust them.
WWYD?
Thanks if you answer, Karen

I can't even tell you the number of people I know who had their blood tests come back with low vitamin D-my dr told me I have the lowest they have had in that office so far- I was a 3. I was on perscription vitamin D and when I had a retest it was up to 20- now I am taking over the counter vitamin D every day- I go back for a recheck in 3 months. During my 12 year old daughters annual blood work her vitamin D came back low too!

 

[Southernmiss]

Have had low Vit D for a few years now. I'm also hypothyroid--have been since I was about 11-over 30 years ago now. I live in the deep south.

Vit D is responsible for more than you may realize.

Low Vit D is easily treatable. In fact, though I am not overweight, I lost weight easily once I started taking supplements and general aches and pains went away.

I took the 50,000 presciption and have been on a maintenance dose of 7,000 ius per day since. I also take calcium, magnesium and zinc, omega 3 and a Vitamin C. I would swear (knock on wood) that these have helped me not catch everything that's going around.

 

[tasha99]

I don't drink milk and while we have midnight sun here, it's almost the opposite in the winter. My D levels get very low (7 last year if I remember right). I started on the 50,000 unit pills but now take a smaller, daily amount. I take B12 shots, too. I'm not sure if it's one of the vitamins or both, but I feel remarkably better now that I'm taking them.

 

[PeterPanic]

My "D" was low this year too. I couldn't understand it, I had just spent my first summer in the south, with all kinds of sunshine, was out playing golf a couple of times a week and it was at 17. I was given that massive dose once per week for about three months and then went to good old Vit. D Gummy Bears. Two a day and just like being encouraged to eat candy.

My last test was at 47. I don't notice it so much now, but when I first started to take it, when I didn't know what or even if I was supposed to feel any different, I did notice a slight increase in energy.

I have to confess that previous to that first appointment when it was noticed I had never heard of it or knew it could be a problem.

 

[LuLuO]

My vitamin D level was 8. I have been taking supplements for a month now, 5000 IU per day. I do feel better. However, I am very anemic and even on Iron I am still low which makes me tired. I am also low on Calcium and B.

I have absorption issues.

 

[minkydog]

I can't even tell you the number of people I know who had their blood tests come back with low vitamin D-my dr told me I have the lowest they have had in that office so far- I was a 3. I was on perscription vitamin D and when I had a retest it was up to 20- now I am taking over the counter vitamin D every day- I go back for a recheck in 3 months. During my 12 year old daughters annual blood work her vitamin D came back low too!

Mine was also at 3 when they first tested. Holy cow! I really didn't get it, until after I had been on the 50,000U Vit D for a few weeks. Suddenly, I had a lot more energy, my hair stopped falling out, and my mood got better. I have a long history of depression and I really wonder if low Vit D has been a long-time factor. Anyway, I've been on the 50,000U once a week for the past 2 years. I'm up to 25 now, still too low, so my doctor is putting me on 50,000U twice a week. I am a fair skinned, light eyed 2nd gen Welsh American girl. I think it's just part of my genetic makeup to have low D. And recently, my DD19 was tested. Sure enough, she tested out at 12. At 19yrs old! So she's on it too.

 

[LuLuO]

Mine was also at 3 when they first tested. Holy cow! I really didn't get it, until after I had been on the 50,000U Vit D for a few weeks. Suddenly, I had a lot more energy, my hair stopped falling out, and my mood got better. I have a long history of depression and I really wonder if low Vit D has been a long-time factor. Anyway, I've been on the 50,000U once a week for the past 2 years. I'm up to 25 now, still too low, so my doctor is putting me on 50,000U twice a week. I am a fair skinned, light eyed 2nd gen Welsh American girl. I think it's just part of my genetic makeup to have low D. And recently, my DD19 was tested. Sure enough, she tested out at 12. At 19yrs old! So she's on it too.

Yes! My hair has stopped coming out by the handful. I used to have nice thick hair and now my hair is so thin. Hoping that the Vit D brings back my pretty hair.

 

[fall08CP]

Why are you getting B12 shots? Unless you're vegan, you get plenty of b12 in your diet. I know they give an energy boost, so if that's why, go for it! But if you consume animal products, its very unlikely you need them for health. As I vegan, I have to get mine checked regularly because you can really feel when you're deficient. Regardless, I take vitamins rather than shots because I'm cheap

Vitamin D is very important and a common problem in women. I wouldn't play around with it.

 

[Katie Dawn]

My doc says she has found that 75% of her patients are testing low for Vitamin D. I was also prescribed a super high amount of vitamin D (could have been 50,000 IU? Can't remember if I took it once a week or once a month) for 1-2 months and after having it re-checked was able to switch to 1000 IU daily. My levels have been fine (with just the over the counter supplement) for a few years now. I know that initial prescription can be a bit unsettling but it is by no means permanent for most people!

 

[LuLuO]

Why are you getting B12 shots? Unless you're vegan, you get plenty of b12 in your diet. I know they give an energy boost, so if that's why, go for it! But if you consume animal products, its very unlikely you need them for health. As I vegan, I have to get mine checked regularly because you can really feel when you're deficient. Regardless, I take vitamins rather than shots because I'm cheap

Vitamin D is very important and a common problem in women. I wouldn't play around with it.

I know you weren't directing the B12 statement at me but as a for instance, I have Celiac Disease and have absorption issues. People think that once you are strictly off gluten that your ability to absorb nutrients returns to normal, but often that is not the case. I am most definitely not a vegan. But my B12 was like 213 or something close to that. My iron level was to the point of needing a transfusion. D was 8. Though I don't have osteopenia, my doc says I'm "right there."

I guess my point is that there may be underlying issues, maybe even unknown issues that are causing the deficiency. I think everyone should be check routinely for vitamin deficiencies.

 

[tasha99]

Why are you getting B12 shots? Unless you're vegan, you get plenty of b12 in your diet. I know they give an energy boost, so if that's why, go for it! But if you consume animal products, its very unlikely you need them for health. As I vegan, I have to get mine checked regularly because you can really feel when you're deficient. Regardless, I take vitamins rather than shots because I'm cheap

Vitamin D is very important and a common problem in women. I wouldn't play around with it.

I eat plenty of meat, but still test deficient for B12. It's a myth that just because you eat something, your body absorbs it. I know my D is low due to no milk and the lack of sunshine here, but the B12 is a mystery--it's the one vitamin I should have plenty of from my diet, but don't. My doctor also said that B12 pills would not likely help me.

 

[scbelleatheart]

You all put my mind to rest. Thank you! I felt like a freak of nature. 50,000 mg sounded like a huge amount. I woulf prefer get a shot than take a pill.
I do not digest pills well. I usually get heartburn after (even with food) so they end up in the toilet.
Potassium, B12, B6 has been an issue since childhood but ramped up during pregnancy/ childbirth and it has not let up. I am used to those shots weekly.
I coild have worse problems as many on the board do but this vitamin just is so confususing

 

[WDWBarb]

When people tell me that they've had blood work done, I know that they will likely mention that their Vit D is low (usually super low). When DD became ill, the first thing they discovered was a near non-existent D level. When you talk to people in the medical community, they scratch their heads over the reasons why. At first it was assumed that awareness of skin cancer and damage from the sun encouraged people to use sunscreen and stay out of the sun, but even sun worshipers suffer from low D. So they still don't know why.

Much like instances of autoimmune disease have skyrocketed (really, really skyrocketed), it's a mystery.

DH has also tested very low and now also takes supplements. I've never been tested but I take an OTC pill myself. Pretty good bet that I need it.

DD was eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Her Dr's have mentioned that autoimmune conditions often correlate to low D levels so now she's in college studying to be a medical researcher so she can try and help solve this mystery. But she's a freshman so she firmly reserves the right to change her mind.