Vitamin D Deficiency

[doodie]

Last week I had the annual 'Well Woman' check up with complete blood work up. Two days later the nurse called because the results of my Vitamin D test were not good. Apparently an optimal minimal level is somewhere between 30 ng/ml - 50 ng/ml. Mine is 5 ng/ml. Now taking 50,000 IU capsule once a week for 8 weeks then a daily maintenance of 2,000 IU. Then we'll re-do the Vit. D to see where I'm at.

I know it hasn't helped that here in Virginia we have had a particularly gray winter so I have not been out much. That's about to change though! I plan to get tons of sun in the near future!

So I'm wondering if bones fusing need a lot of extra Vitamin D? I was already taking approx. 2,000 IU daily in three different supplements.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[mbeckoff]

With the diabetics, I went to a new doctor the other day and he , of course , did blood work, and he did a Vit D test and it just confirmed what I already knew that I was low in Vit D. For some reason my body cannot absorb Vit D. Doctors put me on the 50,000 IU and then 2,000 IU but it doesn't help.

Melissa

[Karen Ocker]

I consulted a metabolic bone specialist. She also tested my Vit D and saw it was low.
The reasons she gave that is so common were: At many latitudes in the US and other countries the sun is not strong enough and we do not stay out long enough.
Sun blocker is used to avoid skin cancer
As we get older one absorbs less Vit D from a regular diet.
I was on 1800u and then retested and it improved. Now I usually take 2,000u per day from supplements. She told me how to keep track of the Vit D and that a supplement was necessary. She also said that many people feel stronger on the supplement.

Interestingly, when my scoliosis developed and progressed s3severly I spent summers all day in the sun with no sunblocker so I do not believe it had anything to do with my scoliosis and I do not have osteoporosis.

[mamamax]

Karen - I think I remember reading that the B vitamins along with calcium and magnesium played an important role in the absorbsion of D. Can you tell us anything about that? Also, do you take an over the counter D or is it prescription? Thanks much .. looking into this myself.

[Karen Ocker]

My doctor told me to take over the counter Vit D - it's verycheap.

She did not tell me to take any B vitamins. I take B-12 on my own because I need to take a stomach acid blocker and that impedes Vit B-12 absorption besides there is lots of vits added to all sorts of foods - probably more than necessary for a person who eats properly.

[doodie]

Thanks for the replies... I am sure to have more energy in a couple of weeks! I really have felt so wiped out since last fall.

[skevimc]

Endocrinologists call vitamin D "the other hormone". There are some pretty interesting studies on vitamin D supplementation and a whole list of functional improvements, including strength. As we age, our skin becomes less able to synthesize vit D so supplements are usually suggested. However, the vit D receptor on bones, muscles, nerves can have a couple of different 'defects' which doesn't allow for full utilization. The studies that show the best results include vit D with a calcium supplement.

This is all really new stuff that is starting to come out right now and I'm not telling you this in order to do anything about it (because there is nothing to do about it except take vitamins and calcium). Just being educational.