vitamin D deficiency

[avasmommy01]

I've been suffering from many symptoms that flare up off and on for several years.  After the birth of my daughter 8 months ago they have gotten much worse and more frequent.  To name a few:  low-grade fever, joint pain, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, reactive hypoglycemia, amenorrhea, lightheadedness, ringing ears, chronic sinus infections.  I've had the battery of tests done for thyroid, anemia, RA.  They all came back negative with the exception of a Vitamin D deficiency.  My vitamin D level is 14.  Could it cause all these problems?  I was told to buy some Caltrate and start taking that.  But from what I've seen I don't know if this is the right route to take.  Maybe I should see an endocrinologist?

I also have to go for an MRI of the head sometime soon.  The doctor wants to check my pituitary for pituitary infarct or Sheehan's Syndrome.  I had a postpartum hemorrhage with blood pressure drop.  Followed by an inability to breastfeed due to under production along with all the symptoms I've listed above.  I'm so desperate for answers.  I've been seeing a PCP in the small town I live in.  Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

[Loomis13]

I had a level of 20 and was having restless leg syndrome, trouble sleeping, random muscle spasms and sleep apnea.  I starting taking Vitamin D at 5,000IU and after just 3 days my restless leg stopped for the first time in 2 years.  I should point out that I have a sun allergy of sorts so I have been actively avoiding sunshine for a good 6 years, hence my deficiency that for some reason I nor my doctors thought to check into.  Anyway, After 2 months my D levels were at 40 and no new changes at that point.  By months 2-3 I noticed my sleep apnea was going away because apparently it was being caused by a post nasal drip and the Vitamin D is an immune system regulator i.e. it stopped my immune system from overproducing mucus, so my apnea became a thing of the past.  I just got my blood tested again last Friday, don't know the results, but am currently on 10,000IU and am 33year old male, 250lbs.  Endocrinologists guidelines indicate I should be taking 8,000-11,000 daily for my size in order to attain the minimum recommended levels of Vitamin D, at 60 whatever units.  Before going to see a specialist, take some vitamin D pill; they are cheap and could possibly cure what ails ya, it may just take some time.  

[Wakkawakka1957]

Normal Vit D levels should be at 60 - 80. It takes a long time for Vit D deficiency to wear you down. It takes a considerable amount of time to recover. I raised mine from 13 to 82 in 3 months. Now just to maintain it and slowly recover.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The normal level of vitamin D in blood ranges from 25-50 ng/ml. Deficiency occurs when this level decreases to about 12 ng/ml or less.In adults deficiency of vit D causes osteomalacia in which softening of bones occurs.Take abundant amount of sunshine(approx 5-10 min of sunshine)everyday for replenishing the vit D deficiency. Osteomalacia is treated by eating 2,500 IU per day of vitamin D for about three months.

Sheehan syndrome can cause these symptoms.A CT head to see the condition of pituitary will be the best.If diagnosed then the treatment for pituitary insufficiency is lifelong hormone substitute medication, including estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement. Thyroid and adrenal hormones also must be taken.

Other possibilities can be fibromyalgia(a disorder classified by the presence of chronic widespread pain and tactile allodynia(pain even on touching)  and chronic fatigue syndrome(often manifests with widespread myalgia and arthralgia, cognitive difficulties, chronic mental and physical exhaustion).Pls discuss these options with your doctor.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.