Vitamin D tests, which one?

[fragrance850]

Hi, all.

I found there are two Vit D tests, one is 25VitD3, the other is 25-OH-VitD. If I want to evaluate the Vit D level, which one is more reliable? Or I should have both of them tested?

And, it is said that Vit D is also a hormone, not just as simple as fat soluble vitamin. Is it ture?

Thanks  

[4helen]

http://www.doctorraisen.com/vitamin-d.html

http://pain-topics.org/pdf/vitamind-briefing.pdf

http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/opvitD.html

Just some links have stored from others kind winks.  Think 'D3' form more potent.  : )

[Smilerdeb]

I get the ' blind pimples' when I am HYPO....if thats any help.
Good idea to get vitamin deficiency test done......since I had mine down, my levels are stabalising.
Good luck and let us know how you go.

[Jo_Stafford]

Right, I'm going out at lunchtime to buy the combined Calcium/Vit D supplement!   On Saturday I have booked to have a food intolerance and vit/mineral deficiency test at the local health food store.    Docs are so bad at not testing for everything, you'd think they'd learn by now.  

I just want to say thank you so much for responding to my posts, sometimes I feel so alone with this disease as none of my friends or family have this issue or seem to understand.   My boyfriend actually said the other day "look you have a bite on your neck!" - I said it isn't a bite but a large sore spot from changing my meds.... sigh.....I seem to get large sore spots all over when my dosage changes.

[Smilerdeb]

Jo
I take the 1000mg Calcium/D combined and swear by it.
Hope it works as well for you as it has for me.
Since Ive been on them, Ive gone back to fulltime work and also studying online too .....something I thought I could never do again with Graves.
As I said in a previous post....many think conversion issues and feeling bad are from the thyroid.
Seems to me that ALL vitamin deficienies need to be checked too as it wasnt the thyroxin that wasnt working for me...it was my body and lack of vitamins it needed.
Basically the body is like a clock...it needs lots things to make it tick.
And that includes vitamins.
So I recommend everyone has a vitamin deficiency test done.
Worked for me.

[Jo_Stafford]

Hi Smiler

This is really useful to me.  I was thinking of buying combined Calcium and Vit D as you need Calcuim at optimal levels for the Vit D to work its magic.   My Endo is ok but just advised me to take Cod Liver Oil and said Vit D was "really important".   My Calcium levels were on the borderline of being low so I think I should supplement.   I also suffered with cystitis and thrush on a monthly basis but this has calmed down somewhat.  I think Vit D balances the adrenal glands too as I have not had hypoglycaemia since being on the Vit D supplements.   I said to the Endo this could be the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle for me as nothing else seemed to work and I just wasn't getting any better on just the thyroid medication.

[Smilerdeb]

I too was deficient in Vitamin D after RAI (seems all thyroid problems knock the body around a lot).
Ive been on 1000mg daily now for about 3 months and since Ive starting taking it my FT3 isnt going high all the time and my levels have stabalised.
But I take D with Clacium combined as my Calcium level was borderline low.
With being 50 next year, my Doc feels I should be on Calcium anyway.
I cant knock it as Ive felt good since being on Calcium/D and Mega B Vitamins.

Anyone who suffers with urinary tract problems a lot should try one 10,000mg capsule a day......I havent had one UTI since Ive been on them and whatever your body doesnt need, comes out in the urine.
It has also settled my liver enzymes down too which were 3 times the limit before RAI from the anti-thyroid meds.

As for Selenium, Cortisol and Zinc tests, they all came back ok so no need to take selenium.
If you over medicate with selenium, you run the risk of going hyper.
Hope some of this is helpful to some.

[Jo_Stafford]

Hi

The test you need to have done is 25-OH-VitD.    If you are deficient like me, you can either take Cod Liver Oil or Vit D3 supplements (I take both).   It is amazing that doctors/scientists are just discovering about Vit D and how it is important for the body.  I have read it takes months, even up to a year to replenish levels to an optimal level.  Goodness knows how long I have been deficient for - it even states deficiencies bring on thyroid disorders and ulcerative collitis - both of which I have.   I have felt depressed in the winter since I was about 20 so it is shocking that GP's do not routinely test for this vitamin.  

Best wishes

Jo

[stella5349]

Wow - I had no idea.

I did hear hormone on the Vit D - but I haven't look much into it. I heard it has something to do with meletonin and seritonins - the "relax and happy " components.

I know they are connected - but not sure how that all works.

Are you looking for just deficiencies on Vit D?