Vitamin D Defficiency

[Charlietown]

Hi Everyone,

Must say that it's really comforting to read the symptoms people are describing on here and be able to relate.

I am 23 (F) and have suffered from severe joint pain for over 5 years now. I've been told several times by my GP just to take painkillers for 'general arthritic symptoms' and been sent for numerous xrays, all of which have come back normal. I have finally been referred to Rheumatology and am in the process of undergoing tests and being diagnosed with Psoriatic Athritis (which runs in my family).

Following my first rheumatology appointment, I had a blood test and have been prescribed 1000IU/25mcg D3 daily for a Vitamin D level of 13.

I also experience chronic fatigue and lightheadedness, which causes me to faint frequently. I have had many tests for this in the past too, but it has always been put down to infections and has become something I just put up with and accept as normal.

Out of all the symptoms, the muscle weakness, fatigue and joint pain is what bothers me the most. I used to exercise regularly and be fairly active, however I can now sleep for 12 hours and then be asleep again within an hour of waking up. Even simple tasks such as shopping in a supermarket is exhausting and I have to get a trolley to use for support everytime.

Reading other people's posts on here makes me wonder if I am following the path to a misdiagnosis and if all of these symptoms could be caused purely by the Vitamin D defiency? I have only been on the tablets for a week now, so am not expecting any improvement for a long while, however I would be relieved if these symptoms are something I can manage with Vitamins rather than Athritis.

I would appreciate anybody's similar experiences and replies.

Thank you.

[deksman2]

I agree with Hartg.

I would personally advise you to use 70 000 IU once per week for about 4 months in total and then reduce that to about 30 000 IU or 40 000 IU once per week for maintenance (that is for days/periods you don't go out in the sun) and get retested (after the first 4 months of high dose supplementation).

[Hartg]

I am not a doctor by any means but if you are that low I would increase your dose to 5000 to 10000 daily of the D 3 a day. Talk to your Dr. Before you do so.

[Red_Star]

I meant to say: I think muscle weakness improved a bit too with vitamin D so that was another symptom of deficiency.  I have muscle weakness from other conditions as well.

[Red_Star]

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency vary from person to person and interestingly some have hardly any symptoms while others have severe symptoms with the same serum level. The symptoms you mention are listed possible symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.

My vitamin D level was 12 ng/mL (30 nmol/L) and my notable symptoms were pain in my hands, very poor immune system (cold, flu, bronchitis, strep throat twice in less than 6 months when my vitamin D levels were at their lowest), and having to clear my throat due to excess mucus. I think muscle weakness improved a bit too.  

I do have other medical conditions that cause numerous symptoms so there might have been more symptoms (eg fatigue) but I don't recall my fatigue improving with vitamin D. It was two years before my vitamin D levels were borderline healthy. The reason is I had vitamin D resistance from severe magnesium deficiency (one of my many undiagnosed conditions). Magnesium is the most important co factor for vitamin D absorption.