Vitamin D Deficiency

[minmtn]

For anyone wishing to learn about the multitude of conditions that happen as a result of Vit D deficiency, you can read the New England  Journal of Medicine article by Dr. Michael F. Holick, noted as the world's renown expert on Vitamin D by the Vitamin D Council (www.vitamindcouncil.com) by going to www.vitamindhealth.org and clicking on "original journal articles".  There is also an external link to a presentation made by Dr. Holick to the European Calcified Tissue Council that is very entertaining to watch and includes the most incredible information.  It is a live stream and if your computer screen goes black, just click any key to watch the rest of the slides.  Your doc can't help it if s/he doesn't know about the current Vit D levels.  30 used to be the bottom acceptable number, but now it is 50 -- and that is just to maintain minimum Vit D.  If your level is 32, don't let someone tell you it is "normal."  You'll see from the NEJM article that every cell in your body has vit D receptors.  Low Vit D can cause everything from osteomalacia (adult form rickets) that produces bone pain and muscle pain to cancers, MS, etc.  If your Vit D is low, your body cannot absorb calcium no matter how much you take or get in your food.  Then your calcium is low which leads to heart conditions and everything else listed in the article or on the ECTS video.  When your doc checks your blood, however, your calcium will look normal.  That is because your body is busy robbing calcium from your bones and teeth to meet the needs of your vital organs.  Your doc has to measure ionized calcium, not serum calcium, to obtain an accurate calcium level for a person with a vit D deficiency.  Most docs did not learn about this in medical school.  Dr. Holick has been doing this research for at least 30 years.  I know a hospital administrator who explained to me that it takes new medical information a minimum of 20 years to make it into mainstream medical practice.  Some of you are frustrated that you cannot find out what "causes" the deficiency.  There is not enough Vit D in food or today's multivitamins.  (see video/read NEJM article).  Most of us MUST take a supplement.  And most of us are not in the sun 10 minutes each day with 25% of our skin uncovered.  Most docs are skeptical of new information until it is proven, proven, proven again.  They want to make sure they don't make their patients sick.  Educate yourself.  You can also read a newsletter and articles about current Vit D info on the vitamindcouncil website.  Amazing stuff.  One of my docs suggested I try an antidepressant for my symptoms of numbness, tingling, cramping in my feet, chronic infection, deteriorating teeth, terrible joint, muscle, bone pain.  Maybe I should go back and ask that doc which antidepressant he would recomment for the Vit D deficiency he missed?  I believe the current treatment is 50,000 iu/week for 8 weeks, then perhaps every other week if the level is still low.  I now take 4,000 iu a day (from wholesale food store or drugstore).  The American Academy of Pediatrics just raised their recommended limits and even newborns should be getting supplements.  10 minutes of sunlight every day can help unless you live above Atlanta, Ga and then you can only make D a few short months of the year.  Otherwise, take a supplement!  This condition is considered epidemic by many doctors.  And more and more of them are learning about this problem every day.  You can search on any medical condition i.e. "Parkinson's and Vit D deficiency", "asthma and Vit D deficiency" and you will be amazed at what you find.  I would also recommend sending a question to a MedHelp Expert.  It is a very reasonable fee and you will get a specific answer emailed back to you that can also benefit your online friends.  It worked for me.  I have about 5 friends who recently found out they are deficient.  Good luck, everyone! Don't be D-ficient!!! minmtn


This discussion is related to Vitamin D Deficiency ?.

[gadgetsmidnight]

Here it is.  I hope it works.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Undiagnosed-Symptoms/what-happens-after-treatment-with-vitamin-d-deficiency/show/1151898

[gadgetsmidnight]

Got some labs done.  Nothing wrong with my thyroid or parathyroid.  
Ionized Calcium 4.88mg/dl  range is 4.8-5.6mg/dl

So I am thinking that is good.  
This weeks Vit D did not make me sick, so maybe last week was just a fluke.  I did take this weeks with a little food.  There was a post not to long ago in a different part of this website that showed a study on how long certain symptoms take to clear if they are related to the Vitamin D def.  If I can find it again, I will try to post the link for everyone.  It was very interesting.

[Joni686]

Two years ago I was told by an internist that 2000 iu per day was too much and I might get Vit. D poisoning if I took that much.  My gyno had me on 50,000. iu a week for six weeks but another doctor told me it doesn't get absorbed properly unless taken daily and trying to get a little bit of sun if possible.  I finally got my vit. D level right taking 6000iu a day and while I can't get any sun at the moment I will be getting at least 10 minutes a day with no sunscreen this summer.  That's what has finally worked for me this last year.  My level is normal.

[veggiemom1436]

I'm so confused over the whole Vitamin D thing.  My son has hypercalciuria and an elevated Alk. Phos., so I'm having him tested for D deficiency through ZRT labs since I can't get ANY doctor, not even his Nephrologist, to test him.  He has teeth problems (which are not a typical issue in our family) and obviously the excess loss of calcium in his urine, so I'd think it would be a given to test him. He was breastfed for a very long time (3.5 years) and never received supplements,nor was I taking any, never drank cows milk. I just never took or gave D due to lack of information, or research on my part. I should have been more diligent.  Usually I'm hypervigilant when it comes to their health. He's also 1/4 asian, so perhaps his risk is even higher, I don't know. I do allow some outside time w/o sunscreen, but our summers are short!!

My level is currently 34 which the endo feels is too low, so I'm supposed to start back up on supplements.  It appears that the small amount of 2,000 IU's isn't doing the trick since my level has gone down by 2 since I was last drawn.

[MNheidi]

Another question, if I've been unable to absorb vitamin D due to my digestive issues, would taking a supplement do any good? Would I need to take more due to less being absorbed?

[MNheidi]

I've just been found to have a VitD level of 28, though was told the bottom of the range was 30 so only told to take a supplement of 2000/day. I'm frustrated becuase I've not been able to find a dr in MN to help me with many years of health issues. I've recently found I'm allergic to gluten (am being tested for Celiac) and milk, have had chronic fatigue, muscle pain/weakness, skin/hair issues, multiple digestive issues, and mental clarity/concentration issues for more than 10 years. I've been told it's due to candida overgrowth, leaky gut, stress, and in my head. Very frustrating to say the least. My most recent tests are being done right now and had to push my dr. to do most of them. What I know for sure is that I haven't felt like myself for many many years. I am a single mom of 2 girls and need to figure this out to be there for them like I need to be. (Also, my oldest was just diagonosed with several allergies as well, including gluten.)
What I'm wondering is if you happen to know of any drs in MN that would support the research of Dr. Holick and/or the issues I have that may be tied to his research. I'm extremely frustrated from going through years of this and have yet to find an MD here that supports any of it vs. just take something and go home. I've been told many times now that since I already feel better from the diet changes due to the allergies that I should be happy now.....what about the fact that I'm still exhausted, my heart races just going up the steps, I'm always cold, my muscles/joints hurt 24/7 and my mental clarity continues to be a challenge as well? Any help from you or any of the readers woudl be welcome.
MNheidi