Hi Ladies,

OK Ladies, I think I might finally have my diagnosis--at least I hope so!!! My bloodwork came back negative for Sjogren's Syndrome again after I was convinced that I had it so my rheumatologist checked my vitamin D levels. They were very low from what I was told from my doctor's nurse. So I am being prescribed Vitamin D in large amounts to be taken once a week. My question is does anyone know if a Vitamin D deficiency can elevate your ESR???? I do have plenty of joint pains and my knee hurts somewhat. My mouth is still dry and I still wear my glasses after eye dryness from contacts. I have so many questions but unfortunately my doctor was out today. I have another appointment with her on March 21st. Any nurses or doctors out there that can give my any insight? Thanks again everyone

Sherri

ESR or a 'sed rate' can be elevated from a variety of causes - any chronic or acute condition that is associated with inflammation... autoimmune disease, cancers, infection, anemia, pregnancy and even menstruation can cause it to rise. Vitamin D does have a role in reducing inflammation, according to newer research studies. However, I could not find any information linking a vitamin D deficiency to an elevated 'sed rate'. It seems, at least in theory, if your deficiency was severe enough it could lead to an increase in inflammation, which could then lead to an elevated ESR...but I think you'll have to ask your rheumatologist to know on that one! Sorry I couldn't help much...

Iam neither a nurse nor a doctor but in searching for answers to some of my own problems, I did quite a bit of reading on vitamin D. A deficiency can definitely cause aches and pains.

I would like to point you to an informative website, that of the vitamin D council. Just google "vitamin D council". Here is an excerpt from their home page:

The high rate of natural production of vitamin D3 cholecalciferol in the skin is the single most important fact every person should know about vitamin D because it has such profound implications for the natural human condition.
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone precursor that has recently been found to play a role in a wide variety of diseases. Current research indicates vitamin D deficiency plays a role in causing seventeen varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, and periodontal disease.
This does not mean that vitamin D deficiency is the only cause of these diseases, or that you will not get them if you take vitamin D. What it does mean is that vitamin D, and the many ways in which it affects a person's health, can no longer be overlooked by the health care industry nor by individuals striving to achieve and maintain a greater state of health.

If you are as deficient as you say, the vit D supplementation should begin to make some difference soon.

tt

I'm not a medical person, but just wanted to advise...I had several weird aches and pains that went away after taking high dosages of Vitamin D. One of my docs has started testing everyone, and my was quite low. I started taking 4000iu and it got up to normal. Though it dropped a little below normal recently, I'm still taking about 2500iu.

Thank you ladies for your replies. I am taking 50,000 IU once a week. So I must be very deficient. I am also pale. I stay out of the sun because I was told to by my dermatologist for my rosacea. Now I am being told to get 15 or so minutes of sun 3 times a week. Conflicting opinions from my doctors. SHEESH; I don't know what to do