My doctor wants me to have a blood test for Vitamin D deficiency as he has tested a lot of his patients who were found to be deficient. He gave me some info and asked me to to some research on the internet and this is what I've found.

First of all, Vitamin D is technically a hormone because it is made in the skin. Did anyone know this? I didn't! I actually didn't realise how important Vitamin D is to good health'


What you will learn below will make a greater impact on your health than cholesterol control, taking a multivitamin, the inclusion of fibre in your diet, taking a daily aspirin tablet, or even antibiotics.


Anyway -- here is a video link and text link --



http://www.uvadvantage.org/portals/0/pres/

http://www.tancanada.org/exports/30MinutesSunshine.pdf

as reported in today's ny times for those effected (count me among them)

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthc...G25750520090108

So.....after reading that I am going to run around in the midday sun with no clothes on!!!!!.....or join a nudist colony, or maybe show it to my husband and demand a winter break in Florida or the Caribbean every year!

Interesting reading, I am passing it on to everyone I know.

P.S. I am still confused as to how much D I should be taking...can you clear that up for me Eve P or Pooks?

Caz

Caz:

I think that all depends on whether or not you are deficient and to what extent -

no?

xo eternally confused Pooks

I think on Oprah the other day, Dr Oz said one needs to take 1,000 IU of Vit D a day or 15 minutes in the sun a day. That is taking VitD3. I read before for out in the sun, don't use any sunscreen or lotions on skin. You need a lot of skin exposed. I have had my VitD level checked because I also have high calcium(hyperparathyroid disease). They check VitD-OH level. Mine has been 34, 30, and 29. Endo dr didn't suggest taking megadoses of VitD. The lab reference range she uses is between 30 and 80. I would not take the megadoses if she suggested it as it might make my calcium higher. My parathyroid hormone level is high, too. I think in some cases the high vitD would lower the parathyroid hormone. I am going to have surgery next month for the parathyroid. After that, I want to get my VitD tested again. I can not take calcium supplements now but have been taking two 400IU VitD3 twice a day. I started that after my last blood test which was a couple of months ago so don't know if that is making a difference in my VitD level. If your VitD level is really low, they want you to take 10,000 or 50,000 IU of Vit D. Not sure if that is daily or a couple of times a week. One of the gals in my hyperpt group has been taking that much. Her dr says she does not have hyperparathryoid disease even though her calcium level is elevated. She takes the 50,000 IU and her VitD level goes up. When she stops taking it, it goes down. Her VitD level was low. There is not much food that has VitD. Salmon, cod liver oil, egg. Milk, dairy products and cereals are fortified with it. It does seem deficiency in Vit D can cause a lot of health problems. You read more about it every day.

My GYN told me we need Vitamin D because it helps our bones absorb Calcium. I take the 400 IUs daily that she recommened if I know I won't be getting out in the sun for 15 minutes that day. In winter and in climates where days are shorter and it's hard to get out in the sun, taking Vitamin D is important for everyone, not just us meno ladies.

I think some Calcium supplements come with Vitamin D in them, so you can buy a two-for-one vitamin.

WriterMom

Hey there
Just had my annual physical not too long ago and my doc reminded me about taking Vita D. He told me to take 2,000 mgs/day at my last check up. I do take it daily. He told me that it helps to prevent a few cancers; breast and colon being the two I remember.
We live in Ontario where in the winter time, there is little sun and it's way too cold to get out and expose yourself to the sunlight. I've also just read that having the sun on your face and hands isn't enough. So, we take the supplements.

Cathy

I found this chart.
http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/opvitD.html

I would also add that it would be good that everyone should get their serum blood calcium levels checked. I found out I had high calcium in a routine blood test.

what am i missing? the article i'm looking at addresses errors in the Vit D tests. is there more to the article and i'm merely overlooking a link to it?
thanks.
(((angel)))

Hi - thanks for this. I take two 400 mg of Vitamin D but maybe I should take more given where I live - in a more often than naught sunless climate. When it is sunny, I go outside and enjoy the sun in smallish dosages...without sunscreen. I question the validity at times of sunscreen quite frankly. I notice my hair is healthier and so are my finger nails when I get lots of Vitamin D. My skin conditions improve as well in the direct sunshine.

I tested out at 9 last year this time... (Sad, I know)

My doctor put me on 1,000 for a few months, then upped it to 2,000...

I am presently on 5,000 a day, and feeling better...MUCH better... (its kinda scary)

What if she had not known to test for a deficiency (this was before the news stories & hype hit)

She a very good egg...

Well I just received tests that I had last month and my vitamin d was at 16... Now I find that odd because I take 5000 iu's a day and have been for 4 months! The prescription that she sent calls for 50,000 iu's one pill a week for 8 weeks, then one pill monthly after that.... This is a prescripton so I might continue with it till it runs out then go back to my supplements, depending upon how I feel I guess...

Happy you're feeling so much better la la....that vitamin d combined with my iron and all of the thyroid, female hormones, and adrenal problems could be why I feel like I'm dead!


TJ

Hi Pemmy,

I'm interested in your experience with the calcium levels. I was diagnosed with Vit. D deficiency a few weeks ago -- my level was 9. For three weeks, I've been taking 50,000 IU Vit. D once a week. I'm scheduled to take my last one on Saturday, then get levels retested.

I was really hoping it would help me feel better, but it doesn't seem to be helping the intense exhaustion/weakness, achiness, crankiness, depression, etc., at least not yet.

I happened to be cleaning out my desk this week and found my labs from a few months ago. At that time my calcium was tested as part of a basic metabolic panel. I saw that although my calcium level is not technically elevated, it's high normal at 10. This made me concerned about taking the megadoses of Vit. D, as I don't think my calcium should get much higher than that. I can't really get a straight answer about whether Vit. D will elevate my calcium, or how much it might elevate it.

My doctor says it will not. She says that it is not strange that my calcium is high normal with such low levels of Vitamin D, because the calcium is free floating in the blood rather than staying in the bones where it should.

She would not retest my calcium when I saw her today to see whether the 150,000 IU of D I've taken so far have elevated it, but she did agree to draw blood for parathyroid so I should find out about that next week. Meantime, I'm not sure whether I should pop the 50,000 IU of Vit. D on Saturday. I'd love your thoughts.

Thanks,
Missy

Missy, My calcium levels have flucuated from high to normal and then to high. I found out it was high back in Dec 2007. I don't have my lab reports in front of me. I had some in the 10 range. My highest has been 12.1. My lowest Vit D was 29 but I was not put on any extra D. I started to take 800 IU on my own. You can read more about hyperparathyroid disease here.
http://www.parathyroid.com/ Here is some info on VitD at the same site.
http://www.parathyroid.com/low-vitamin-d.htm
Hope that can help you in some way.
Pam

My doctor just checked my vitamin d and they came back normal. I'm not sure what the level was but she said it was good.

TJ,
Is your Rx for D3, cholecalciferol? That is the most active and well-absorbed form.

[quote name='missy5' date='Feb 6 2009, 12:25 AM' post='266108']
Hi Pemmy,

I'm interested in your experience with the calcium levels. I was diagnosed with Vit. D deficiency a few weeks ago -- my level was 9. For three weeks, I've been taking 50,000 IU Vit. D once a week. I'm scheduled to take my last one on Saturday, then get levels retested.

I was really hoping it would help me feel better, but it doesn't seem to be helping the intense exhaustion/weakness, achiness, crankiness, depression, etc., at least not yet.

I happened to be cleaning out my desk this week and found my labs from a few months ago. At that time my calcium was tested as part of a basic metabolic panel. I saw that although my calcium level is not technically elevated, it's high normal at 10. This made me concerned about taking the megadoses of Vit. D, as I don't think my calcium should get much higher than that. I can't really get a straight answer about whether Vit. D will elevate my calcium, or how much it might elevate it.

My doctor says it will not. She says that it is not strange that my calcium is high normal with such low levels of Vitamin D, because the calcium is free floating in the blood rather than staying in the bones where it should.

She would not retest my calcium when I saw her today to see whether the 150,000 IU of D I've taken so far have elevated it, but she did agree to draw blood for parathyroid so I should find out about that next week. Meantime, I'm not sure whether I should pop the 50,000 IU of Vit. D on Saturday. I'd love your thoughts.

Thanks,
Missy

Hi Missy:

The fact that the calcium is high and the D low can be parathyroid issue. Your doctor saying that is not strange could be wrong. I have the same problem but my calcium was about 9 something and my D 28. Google parathyroid issues and you will see the link with high calcium and low D. It doesn't mean you have that, but I read that the body lowers it's D stores to protect itself from the high calcium in the blood. I'm having my parathyroid levels checked at my next blood draw. Also I've read that the RX dose of 50,000 IU of vitamin D doesn't always work that well. Some peoples levels do go up but slowly and when they stop their levels drop right back down. I believe taking 2000-10,000D3 OTC if your doctor approves works better than that RX one. Once you get your level up, if you decrease your D3 intake and the level drops back down significantly, I'd definitely look into some thyroid issues as well. Low vitamin D is also linked to low thyroid function. I'm treating myself now with Armour b/c I have low thyroid symptoms as well we complext cysts and nodules on my gland. I'm also taking 2000 D3 as well as a lot of fish oil. I still have my symptoms though. But I think it takes time to regulate vitamin defs, thyroid problems, etc.

Thanks Sariah...You know, I was doing some research yesterday about this because I take D3 already (5000 iu) and when I did the search an article came up about the fact that the prescription brands are inferior because they are D2. I need to call and ask them if in fact it is D3. If not, I'm simply going to go and purchase some gel caps of D3 instead. The D3 that I am taking now is in a tablet form... I've read on other discussions how individuals were put on this megadose a week and it didn't increase their values that much...which leads me to believe there is some underlying problem.

I'm also wondering about parathyroid as well because when I did the search that issue came up as a deficiency problem associated with vitamin D... I haven't had my calcium tested, but might push for that. I already know that my TSH and T3 were very low which looks hyper so I'm going to start taking Armour...but I'm wondering what ultimately that is due to... I think it actually mentioned hyperparathyrodism...

TJ

That prescription was for D2 so I cancelled it!

TJ

Well, good thing you found out. I'm surprised docs don't know that.

sigh... just another thing that docs don't know.

I'm beginning to think docs don't know much geez!!! I picked up the prescription anyway...my friend convinced me to try it so I will.... I'm just wondering if this is a malabsorption problem since I have been taking 5000 ius of D3 for 4 months now, or if my labels were much lower before taking the test...


TJ

Hey Skeeweeaka:

Were you taking tablet forms of the D3 for the 4 months? The gel caps have better absorbtion. If you were, then maybe your level was much lower before testing. And the doctor's don't know much at all for sure. We have to do all the work and tell them what we want. I'm also not sure what is going on with me. I'm going to take a parathyroid test soon too b/c my D came back 28 and my calcium was close to 10 but within the limits but at the high end, so I'm thinking parathyroid. I'm taking Armour 1 grain now for about 2 months but I'm not sure if I should even be taking that, but my holistic doctor said yes. I keep gaining weight too and I'm pretty good with my diet. This yeard I gained 25lbs and that was after losing 40 the year before. It all started when I started the bio HRT, but even before that it was slowly creeping and I had a lot of symptoms that I thought were peri but then also are considered low thyroid. So I'm doing the Armour, but my thyroid board helpers say I need to take more or my symptoms and weight will stick around. I'm just so confused that I'm staying put with doctor's advice.

But keep taking the gel cap D3 and get tested every 3 months or so. That's what I read somewhere.

Hi Corky,

It has turned out that I do not have parathyroid problems. Just got my test back, and it's 59.4 which is in the normal range (albeit high normal). I wish my doctor had also re-checked my calcium which was high normal at 10 because I would feel better about mega-dosing with Vit. D if she had.

But I just have to accept this diagnosis at this point and forge ahead trying to get my abysmally low Vitamin D levels up.

Good luck with your testing and hope everything works out.

Missy

Corky,

I've been taking tablet forms of D3 for 4 months, yes! Before that I was taking 1000 ius of regular D for a couple of years now!!! So I can't imagine what my levels were before this test... I need to have my calcium numbers tested because this is confusing. I wonder is it the thyroid that is causing the low vitamin d levels...and why isn't my body absorbing the extra that I am taking... I have also been taking cod liver oil for the past 4 months which includes extra vitamin d....

I was reading today about the thyroid and the article that I was reading by Shames stated that if there are other hormonal issues other than thyroid, then the thyroid needed to be balanced first before dealing with any other hormones. Although I've just started reading about adrenal fatigue but thinking of trying to treat that naturally and not with hydrocortisone. The article states that once the thyroid is balanced properly, the other hormone levels should improve. Also the article stated that if supplementing with estrogen, etc., that those hormones will bind with the thyroid meds and cause them to be less effective, therefore, you would need more thyroid hormone to get the results that you need! So I think your thyroid board members were correct in telling you to take more Armour to balance out what is being bound up by the estrogen that you are taking... That could be causing the weight gain as well...

It seems odd that we all have this vitamin D deficiency... I took that pill today and it made me sick to my stomach, although I tried to take it with some fat to increase absorption...

Hope we can all figure this thing out soon....


TJ

I found this article about vitamin D and it is easy to read and understand for me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D

Hi girls,

I'm back to give you the latest update --


Just had my test results for Vit D today and my GP said I am extremely deficient in Vit D. He said normally with levels like mine he would give Vit D injections but currently we are out of stock.. He is in the process of getting German Crystals - not sure what he meant by that but I haven't started treatment just yet...

I've struggled with many symptoms, including that of depression and fatigue--- I'm hope by raising the Vit D levels I will find relief ---

Thats it for now...I will keep you posted.

EP- Since I have been taking 1200IU of D3 I have felt happier. Not sure if it's a coincidence, or not, but the timing of it makes me think???? I'm a bit less stressed than I usually am, and I'm sleeping better.

Not sure if its the Vit D3 or not, but I'm not taking any chances. I'm going to keep taking it!!

My vitamin D levels are low and the doctor prescribed these little blue gelcaps which are 50,000 units of vitamin D (they weren't very expensive, I think a couple dollars per pill.) I'm to take one every week for 6 weeks, then go on 4000 units per day and get retested in 3 months.

Wonder if you can get those in the UK. I was told that the only side effect of vitamin D was low bone density (although my bone density test was fine.) I have MS, and MS patients tend to have low D...maybe it's because we don't go out in the sun a lot (I have heat intolerance, as do many MSers.) Anyhoo, I haven't noticed a difference in any symptoms and I've been on the higher vitamin D for 4 weeks.

But if there is relief to be had, hope you get it!

I just started taking those little blue gelcaps also. I'm suppossed to take them for 21 days, then redo my bloodwork. My annual showed VERY low vitamin D also. I had no idea. Are there no symptoms for low vitamin D deficiency?

Vitamin D is sometimes viewed as a non-issue for CFIDS except when following a protocol like that at marshallprotocol.com. It is my opinion that Vitamin D is an important adjunct for recovery from CFIDS (regardless of protocol). Boron may be an assistant to Vitamin D.

I believe that Dr. Mercola, MD recommended optimal levels for Vitamin D is correct.

45-50 ng/ml or 115-128 nmol/l [source]


This is some information that I had on file about Vitamin D levels...


The following table indicates how much supplementation is needed (over a 6 month period) to reach these levels.

Daily IUs of D 50 ng/ml 128 nmol/l
11281 5 13
10028 10 26
8774 15 38
7521 20 51
6267 25 64
5014 30 77
3760 35 90
2507 40 102
1253 45 115
0 50 128

Based on 14 nmol/l = 1371 IU


Vitamin D Miracles

Sunlight and vitamin D are critical to all life forms. Standard textbooks state that the principal function of vitamin D is to promote calcium absorption in the gut and calcium transfer across cell membranes, thus contributing to strong bones and a calm, contented nervous system. It is also well recognized that vitamin D aids in the absorption of magnesium, iron and zinc, as well as calcium.

Actually, vitamin D does not in itself promote healthy bone. Vitamin D controls the levels of calcium in the blood. If there is not enough calcium in the diet, then it will be drawn from the bone. High levels of vitamin D (from the diet or from sunlight) will actually demineralize bone if sufficient calcium is not present.

Vitamin D will also enhance the uptake of toxic metals like lead, cadmium, aluminum and strontium if calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are not present in adequate amounts.18 Vitamin D supplementation should never be suggested unless calcium intake is sufficient or supplemented at the same time.

Receptors for vitamin D are found in most of the cells in the body and research during the 1980s suggested that vitamin D contributed to a healthy immune system, promoted muscle strength, regulated the maturation process and contributed to hormone production.

During the last ten years, researchers have made a number of exciting discoveries about vitamin D. They have ascertained, for example, that vitamin D is an antioxidant that is a more effective antioxidant than vitamin E in reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing enzymes that protect against oxidation.19;20

Vitamin D deficiency decreases biosynthesis and release of insulin.21 Glucose intolerance has been inversely associated with the concentration of vitamin D in the blood. Thus, vitamin D may protect against both Type I and Type II diabetes.22

The risk of senile cataract is reduced in persons with optimal levels of D and carotenoids.23

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) has been corrected by supplementation of D and calcium.24

Vitamin D plays a role in regulation of both the "infectious" immune system and the "inflammatory" immune system.25

Low vitamin D is associated with several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, Sjogren's Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and Crohn's disease.26;27

Osteoporosis is strongly associated with low vitamin D. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis respond favorably (and rapidly) to higher levels of D plus calcium and magnesium.28

D deficiency has been mistaken for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or peripheral neuropathy.1;28-30

Infertility is associated with low vitamin D.31 Vitamin D supports production of estrogen in men and women.32 PMS has been completely reversed by addition of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.33 Menstrual migraine is associated with low levels of vitamin D and calcium.81

Breast, prostate, skin and colon cancer have a strong association with low levels of D and lack of sunlight.34-38

Activated vitamin D in the adrenal gland regulates tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme necessary for the production of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Low D may contribute to chronic fatigue and depression.39

Seasonal Affective Disorder has been treated successfully with vitamin D. In a recent study covering 30 days of treatment comparing vitamin D supplementation with two-hour daily use of light boxes, depression completely resolved in the D group but not in the light box group.40

High stress may increase the need for vitamin D or UV-B sunlight and calcium.41

People with Parkinsons and Alzheimers have been found to have lower levels of vitamin D.42;43

Low levels of D, and perhaps calcium, in a pregnant mother and later in the child may be the contributing cause of "crooked teeth" and myopia. When these conditions are found in succeeding generations it means the genetics require higher levels of one or both nutrients to optimize health.44-47

Behavior and learning disorders respond well to D and/or calcium combined with an adequate diet and trace minerals.48;49


Best Wishes,

TJ

Wow!! Thanks for all the helpful information. How did you get so smart?

Yeah, thats what I'd like to know! Thanks for this, TJ

Give it some time, Dawn - at least 3 months - then you might see some improvement.

Thanks Texas and Evening...you both made me laugh today! I wish I could say it was me, but I keep documents that I think relate to my health in an internet file...and I have a lot of books and no life!


TJ

Thanks Texas and Evening...you both made me laugh today! I wish I could say it was me, but I keep documents that I think relate to my health in an internet file...and I have a lot of books and no life!


TJ

Thanks for the encouragement. I do intend to stay on it, even if it doesn't noticeably reduce any symptoms (but maybe it will in the long run.) I have to have blood tests every 6 months (because of a med I take) and there's no escaping the dr or his protocols since I get the blood work so often. I hate that in a way because they harp on any little level that's out of sync, but because of the bloodwork, I'm probably more careful with my diet than I would be otherwise, So I'll stay on ithe little blue Rx strength D until they're gone, then switch to a lower dose. I think I get retested in 3 months to check D levels again, so well see how much it helped.