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VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
Quest Diagnostics recently, leaving thousands and thousands of people across the country in danger of vitamin D deficiency. I came across another article that demonstrates just how critical it is to keep tabs on your levels of this essential nutrient -- and to make sure it's in a healthy range.
Researchers from three prominent universities have uncovered a significant link between insufficient vitamin D levels and cognitive decline.
When they examined the records of nearly 2,000 subjects, they discovered that lower vitamin D levels corresponded with higher levels of cognitive impairment. In fact, the people who didn't have optimal levels of vitamin D were more than TWICE AS LIKELY to have problems with their brain function.
You should consider having your own levels tested -- or re-tested -- as soon as possible. If they prove to be low, don't rely on fortified milk or orange juice to bring them up to where they need to be. Neither of these sources are ideal. In fact, even the best source of vitamin D -- the sun -- isn't strong enough in most parts of the world to supply you with the full amount you need for optimum health.
4,000 IU (International Units) of vitamin D daily for adults and teenagers, 1,000 IU for infants and small children, and 2,000 IU for everyone in between. But, if your levels are low, you may need even more. Work with your doctor to determine your body's current levels, and the vitamin D dose that best suits your needs.
Researchers from three prominent universities have uncovered a significant link between insufficient vitamin D levels and cognitive decline.
When they examined the records of nearly 2,000 subjects, they discovered that lower vitamin D levels corresponded with higher levels of cognitive impairment. In fact, the people who didn't have optimal levels of vitamin D were more than TWICE AS LIKELY to have problems with their brain function.
You should consider having your own levels tested -- or re-tested -- as soon as possible. If they prove to be low, don't rely on fortified milk or orange juice to bring them up to where they need to be. Neither of these sources are ideal. In fact, even the best source of vitamin D -- the sun -- isn't strong enough in most parts of the world to supply you with the full amount you need for optimum health.
4,000 IU (International Units) of vitamin D daily for adults and teenagers, 1,000 IU for infants and small children, and 2,000 IU for everyone in between. But, if your levels are low, you may need even more. Work with your doctor to determine your body's current levels, and the vitamin D dose that best suits your needs.
Hey Laura and CatieC, How ru yall doing? I have been reading @ what ur going through with the Vit.D and I just found out for the second time that my Vit.D is deficient. I know that I am suffering some strong pain that feels like it goes down to the bone,my muscles HURT ALL OVER, especially in my knees, my feet stay sore and can't walk on them, I hurt in my neck, back and my brain even hurts. I have been feeling a lot of confusion, and even some altered state or something...IT IS BAD.
I am afraid to take the prescription because of what docs are saying. I am on a site that says it acts as a immunosuppressive and that it could be worse taking it than not. SO, I am in a dilema and don't know what to do. I feel like it could be MS,Parkinson's or something to do with my Thyroid, but after 5 or more yrs. I still have yet to be dx with something that I know what to do @. I am so miserable and stuck in bed mostly because I can walk on one leg..u know. IT is tough, but I am very driven and have always been active, but NOW I am stuck here in this bed. I sure would like to know what to do.
I went to get a physical to rule out whatever I could and they sent me a prescription for the Vit.D of 50,000 IU to start immediately, they said, but I have yet to take it and it has been another month. They also stated that I should take a supplement with it of 1000mg. of Vit.d and 1200 of Calcium a day or vise versa on those numbers..I don't know.I know this is serious and am wondering what has me,but am praying that it doesn't kill me.
I am interested to know why I am feeling the way that I am. I am numb and it is like a shake or tremor that is in my whole body. My face on the left side stays numb now and in my mouth at the roof of it is staying numb. IT IS CREEPY and I want it to stop, but am afraid to take the prescription. SHOULD I? OR SHOULDN'T I TAKE IT?...that is the question, but I know I get SUN everyday. I go outside and just sit in it for as long as I can, but I don't think it is enough and I do take the supplements,just not the presc. The supplements I take are Vit.D chewables of 1200mg. a day and I do take another one that is powder vitamins called Isotonix(they seemed to have helped me a lot to move more). What do u guys think? I am researching it and so far it says that it can make matters worse because it says that taking it could make the disease worse, but I don't know if IT could get any worse...WELL, I AM NOT SURE @ that one, but I know I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING..HERE. I found this is on sciencedaily. IT is interesting and would like to know if I should do it or not. Help me out ladies to do what is right if u know what this could possibly be that I need to do here, but u can't argue with Scientist can we? I donno....I just know I am miserable and got to do something to change HOW I AM FEELING....BAD.:((
Take care and I do hope u 2 r better. God Bless always.:)))<3 Karen
I am afraid to take the prescription because of what docs are saying. I am on a site that says it acts as a immunosuppressive and that it could be worse taking it than not. SO, I am in a dilema and don't know what to do. I feel like it could be MS,Parkinson's or something to do with my Thyroid, but after 5 or more yrs. I still have yet to be dx with something that I know what to do @. I am so miserable and stuck in bed mostly because I can walk on one leg..u know. IT is tough, but I am very driven and have always been active, but NOW I am stuck here in this bed. I sure would like to know what to do.
I went to get a physical to rule out whatever I could and they sent me a prescription for the Vit.D of 50,000 IU to start immediately, they said, but I have yet to take it and it has been another month. They also stated that I should take a supplement with it of 1000mg. of Vit.d and 1200 of Calcium a day or vise versa on those numbers..I don't know.I know this is serious and am wondering what has me,but am praying that it doesn't kill me.
I am interested to know why I am feeling the way that I am. I am numb and it is like a shake or tremor that is in my whole body. My face on the left side stays numb now and in my mouth at the roof of it is staying numb. IT IS CREEPY and I want it to stop, but am afraid to take the prescription. SHOULD I? OR SHOULDN'T I TAKE IT?...that is the question, but I know I get SUN everyday. I go outside and just sit in it for as long as I can, but I don't think it is enough and I do take the supplements,just not the presc. The supplements I take are Vit.D chewables of 1200mg. a day and I do take another one that is powder vitamins called Isotonix(they seemed to have helped me a lot to move more). What do u guys think? I am researching it and so far it says that it can make matters worse because it says that taking it could make the disease worse, but I don't know if IT could get any worse...WELL, I AM NOT SURE @ that one, but I know I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING..HERE. I found this is on sciencedaily. IT is interesting and would like to know if I should do it or not. Help me out ladies to do what is right if u know what this could possibly be that I need to do here, but u can't argue with Scientist can we? I donno....I just know I am miserable and got to do something to change HOW I AM FEELING....BAD.:((
Take care and I do hope u 2 r better. God Bless always.:)))<3 Karen
Your Free T4 is very high normal which does suggest conversion issue. The total T3 is an old outdated test that isn't used anymore. Yes you really do need a free T3 test. When I fired my endo, I went onto the about thyroid dot org website and searched for an armour doctor....well I found a internal medicine doctor who tested everything including reverse T3. She is awesome and very good with the thyroid. She agreed I had a conversion issue. Having the T3 with the T4 in my armour makes a world of difference. Free T3 is the actual active hormone in your body....so there is a very good reason to test it. lol Fire that doctor!! Do some searching and you might even find a good internal MD like I did, instead of an endo.
Yes sometimes we have to stop looking for other problems....just supplement well with good quality and focus on getting your thyroid under control.
Yes sometimes we have to stop looking for other problems....just supplement well with good quality and focus on getting your thyroid under control.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
My recent lab results were TSH - 1.11, FT4 - 1.70, Total T3 - 89. My dosage was changed to 6 days 88 mcg Synthroid and 1 day 75 mcg Synthroid. My TSH is good, but now the FT4 is high and T3 is low. And I feel I have a conversion issue. But my doctor won't listen. She says there no reason to check my FT3. arghhhhhhhh.
Since my partial thyroidectomy last March and still thyroid not right yet, I have been to so many endos but I am having a hard time finding one that will listen to me, treat the symptoms and not the numbers. So I keep searching.
My concern over the low Vitamin D is because I am already taking 2 tabs of calcium with Vitamin D and also a multi-vitamin with Vitamin D. So I cannot understand why it is low. I always look for reasons with anything that happens to me. Sometimes that isn't good because it drives you crazy.
Again thanks for answering my post and putting my mind at ease.
My recent lab results were TSH - 1.11, FT4 - 1.70, Total T3 - 89. My dosage was changed to 6 days 88 mcg Synthroid and 1 day 75 mcg Synthroid. My TSH is good, but now the FT4 is high and T3 is low. And I feel I have a conversion issue. But my doctor won't listen. She says there no reason to check my FT3. arghhhhhhhh.
Since my partial thyroidectomy last March and still thyroid not right yet, I have been to so many endos but I am having a hard time finding one that will listen to me, treat the symptoms and not the numbers. So I keep searching.
My concern over the low Vitamin D is because I am already taking 2 tabs of calcium with Vitamin D and also a multi-vitamin with Vitamin D. So I cannot understand why it is low. I always look for reasons with anything that happens to me. Sometimes that isn't good because it drives you crazy.
Again thanks for answering my post and putting my mind at ease.
First try to breathe and relax. Hashimoto's will raise heck with you at times when it flares. I am hashi patient too. I get leg cramps always when I am hypo...also the symptoms take at least a few months to dissipate after being at an optimal level. What were your most recent lab results for your thyroid? How much meds are you on and what kind?
You need to supplement your Vit D for now and get into the normal range of at least 50-60.
The fear of cancer is common when our bodies are reacting so strangely due to the antibodies attacking and destroying our thyroids. Yes you will feel weird and sick as heck at times.....afterall your thyroid gland is being killed off. So try not to get freaked out and each time you go through this you will get less and less freaked out. I use to get sooooo scared and felt like I was dying! Now when I have an attack, I just breathe and tell myself: "You know what this is and it will pass, so relax" Each time it gets easier.
This is not an easy thing to go through...actually it is he// at times. But just know that you are not alone....there are a lot of us here who understand exactly what you are feeling. It can be a dark scarey cave at times. The good news is that eventually it will end. It just may take some time. Please feel free to email me at anytime if you get scared or nervous. :)
You need to supplement your Vit D for now and get into the normal range of at least 50-60.
The fear of cancer is common when our bodies are reacting so strangely due to the antibodies attacking and destroying our thyroids. Yes you will feel weird and sick as heck at times.....afterall your thyroid gland is being killed off. So try not to get freaked out and each time you go through this you will get less and less freaked out. I use to get sooooo scared and felt like I was dying! Now when I have an attack, I just breathe and tell myself: "You know what this is and it will pass, so relax" Each time it gets easier.
This is not an easy thing to go through...actually it is he// at times. But just know that you are not alone....there are a lot of us here who understand exactly what you are feeling. It can be a dark scarey cave at times. The good news is that eventually it will end. It just may take some time. Please feel free to email me at anytime if you get scared or nervous. :)
Thanks for answering. I have to say that I was never sick. And now all of a sudden my Hashi's is acting up, my thyroid levels are not right yet and now I have a low Vit D level and I have leg pains. I am scared to death that there is some kind of cancer growing and I'm almost to the point of asking my doctor for a PET scan, which I doubt they will do without due cause.
Am I nuts thinking this way? I am so confused, frustrated and upset that I don't know where to turn right now.
Am I nuts thinking this way? I am so confused, frustrated and upset that I don't know where to turn right now.
P.S. ~ I forgot to mention that when I had photophobia, I was supplementing with vitamin D and yet I had a very low vitamin D level.
Thanks to the treatment protocol that I'm on.... the photophobia is getting much better. I can now tolerate some sunlight and eat some foods that have vitamin D in them. However, I will not take vitamin D supplements.... probably even after I complete treatment. I live in a sunny state anyway. ; ^ )
It is interesting information. I can only tell you that I believe that a low vitamin D level is a result of illness and not the cause and I also believe that chronically ill patients should not supplement with vitamin D. It may help in the short run... but not the long term. I say this because I experienced this personally. When my CFS symptoms were at their worst.... I had photophobia ! That told me that my body did not need any vitamin D.
I also recall a member in MedHelp who was posting in the undiagnosed forum. She had EBV and although she lived in Florida and had a suntan (naturally), she had a low vitamin D result. Months later, that same member posted to let me know that she was feeling better and her vitamin D level was rising !
Sure... there are studies that say, "low vitamin D levels in cancer patients" ----- as Dr. Klimas asked, "was it there to begin with or was it a consequence of the illness?".
One thing that everyone agrees with is that vitamin D isn't a true vitamin. It is a seco steriod hormone.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11179722
Hmmm like you Catie, am confused----very difficult to know correct approach. Suppose time in the sun and vit d enriched foods safest, but it would be interesting to see more research. Some people are going for 50,000 px dosages which seems very high and yet they report feeling better. I am using low dosage at the moment, assuming that it can't hurt but the ScienceDaily report is worth considering next time its pill time. Don't know about you guys but the bottle load of my supplements bowl is getting ridiculous---expensive wee is me! Sunshine is free so maybe I force more of that--credit crunch dictate! : )
PlateletGal, thanks for the links. After reading them I am more confused as to whether supplements of D are good or not. Especially since I have Hashi's which I feel was a result of having mono when I was 17.
This forum is awesome and a wealth of information.
This forum is awesome and a wealth of information.
Some more information and theories as to what causes vitamin D deficiency. Some of this information is controversial, but I do tend to agree with Trevor Marshall, Ph.D. that vitamin D dyresgulation occurs in chronically ill patients due to intracellular bacteria infections.
Best,
~ PlateletGal
Q: My chronic fatigue illness started with infectious mono. After about a year, a very low vitamin D level was discovered. My doc thinks that this played a role in my immune system failing to contain EBV. Are there any references on this?
Dr. Klimas: Low vitamin D is a frequent finding even in my sunshine state – Florida - and vitamin D is important to immune health. But I don't now if it was there to begin with or is a consequence of the illness.
link:
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm?id=8646&T=CFIDS_FM&B1=EM013008C
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
"Vitamin D Deficiency May Be Symptom Of Disease: Supplements May Make It Worse"
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080125223302.htm
____________________________________________________________________________________________
http://www.marshallprotocol.com/forum39/11053.html
Best,
~ PlateletGal
Q: My chronic fatigue illness started with infectious mono. After about a year, a very low vitamin D level was discovered. My doc thinks that this played a role in my immune system failing to contain EBV. Are there any references on this?
Dr. Klimas: Low vitamin D is a frequent finding even in my sunshine state – Florida - and vitamin D is important to immune health. But I don't now if it was there to begin with or is a consequence of the illness.
link:
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm?id=8646&T=CFIDS_FM&B1=EM013008C
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
"Vitamin D Deficiency May Be Symptom Of Disease: Supplements May Make It Worse"
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080125223302.htm
____________________________________________________________________________________________
http://www.marshallprotocol.com/forum39/11053.html
Welcome!! So glad you came over; am new too but from day1 ---I knew I was home!!
LIke you, new to the issue too-----have a look at
http://goodhormonehealth.com/symptoms/VitaminD3.pdf ---- Dr, Friedman talks about diff between D2 and D3------the jist seems to be that D3 hangs around longer so better form of supplementation.
Be careful with buying D3; I just took back my supplement (Solgar) bought yesterday because I noticed it had VitA added; they do a straigt 600 and 1000. : )
LIke you, new to the issue too-----have a look at
http://goodhormonehealth.com/symptoms/VitaminD3.pdf ---- Dr, Friedman talks about diff between D2 and D3------the jist seems to be that D3 hangs around longer so better form of supplementation.
Be careful with buying D3; I just took back my supplement (Solgar) bought yesterday because I noticed it had VitA added; they do a straigt 600 and 1000. : )
Whew - am I glad I posted on here. What the heck is D3. I checked my multi-vitamin label and it only says "Vitamin D 500 IU. I checked my calcium label and it says "Vitamin D 400 IU". I don't see anything saying D3 and I never heard of it. Gosh I am so uneducated on this subject. So what brands do I look for?
laura1967, I was so surprised when my doctor said those things to me. I have been going to her for 25 years and never had an encounter like this. I even asked her to check my parathyroids and she said there was no need. We are also having trouble regulating my thyroid numbers. My TSH is 1.11 which is good. But my FT4 is high and my Total T3 is low. And I've yet to convince my doctor to check my FT3. So that's another hurdle I need to get over.
Well at least I feel better starting supplements after reading these posts.
laura1967, I was so surprised when my doctor said those things to me. I have been going to her for 25 years and never had an encounter like this. I even asked her to check my parathyroids and she said there was no need. We are also having trouble regulating my thyroid numbers. My TSH is 1.11 which is good. But my FT4 is high and my Total T3 is low. And I've yet to convince my doctor to check my FT3. So that's another hurdle I need to get over.
Well at least I feel better starting supplements after reading these posts.
Hi there and welcome! I wouldn't worry about getting too much Vit D at this point. Normal range is 32-100 according to Quest. So it would take you alot and more to get up to the 100 range. If you look at the Vit D deficiency health pages at the top rt, you will see that a lot of drs like to see your level at 50 or 60. Mine came in at 47 and I am going to start supplementing. Just make sure it is D3. Your doctor sounds mean and I cannot believe she said those things and ignored you level of 28....she must not be well educated on Vit D deficiency...all though it is talked about everywhere!
Maybe you should begin your search for a doctor that wants to listen to you and not treat you like that. If only some of these drs could experience Hashimotos, Graves and the hell we go through trying to get better....and have someone belittle them when they feel bad. Right? Right! LOL I get very impatient with drs like this....can you tell? LOL
Maybe you should begin your search for a doctor that wants to listen to you and not treat you like that. If only some of these drs could experience Hashimotos, Graves and the hell we go through trying to get better....and have someone belittle them when they feel bad. Right? Right! LOL I get very impatient with drs like this....can you tell? LOL
Hi everyone. I'm new here. I usually post on the thyroid forum and 4helen told me about the Vitamin D posts on this forum.
First let me say I'm HypoT and have Hashimoto's. I had a partial thyroidectomy in March 08. Thank goodness the nodule was benign.
My doctor has been trying to regulate my thyroid numbers and as of today has not yet been successful. But what concerned me was yesterday when I got my recent blood tests my vitamin D was low at 28.6. My doctor was not concerned. She told me it was just a little low and she won't put me on supplements right now because I'm taking 2 tabs of calcium with D and also a multi-vitamin.
I asked my doctor if the low D was a thyroid issue and she said "NO" - you blame everything on your thyroid". Than I asked her if my leg pain was because of the low D and she said "NO".
I'm thinking about taking a supplement on my own but I scared to do this. I don't want too much D, that's not good either.
First let me say I'm HypoT and have Hashimoto's. I had a partial thyroidectomy in March 08. Thank goodness the nodule was benign.
My doctor has been trying to regulate my thyroid numbers and as of today has not yet been successful. But what concerned me was yesterday when I got my recent blood tests my vitamin D was low at 28.6. My doctor was not concerned. She told me it was just a little low and she won't put me on supplements right now because I'm taking 2 tabs of calcium with D and also a multi-vitamin.
I asked my doctor if the low D was a thyroid issue and she said "NO" - you blame everything on your thyroid". Than I asked her if my leg pain was because of the low D and she said "NO".
I'm thinking about taking a supplement on my own but I scared to do this. I don't want too much D, that's not good either.
Here's the thing....I don't wear sunscreen...lol...don't want to put chemicals into my skin. The natural sunscreen is just too expensive to I don't wear any. That number of 47 was taken at a time that I was always out in the sun and in the pool. I can only imaging how low it is now. Maybe it is time to supplement.
Plateletgal- I have photophobia bad as well....must be from EBV, CFS.....but I have learned to wear my sunglasses. I still love to be out in the sun though...lol
Plateletgal- I have photophobia bad as well....must be from EBV, CFS.....but I have learned to wear my sunglasses. I still love to be out in the sun though...lol
Hi Laura ! I also live in the sun and I was vitamin D deficient... shortly after my illness took a turn for the worse and I relapsed. You know what really is wild ? The laboratories keep raising the normal limits for vitamin D... why is this ? What is also wild is when I relapsed and my CFS symptoms were at their worst... I had photophobia and couldn't tolerate the sunlight. I tend to trust my body and therefore, I have to agree with some of Dr. Marshall's research on vitamin D dysregulation in chronically ill patients.
As am a bit hypothyroidic, I asked for a vit d deficiency test ironically today from gp ----he refused, saying "no link with thyroid problems....yes,maybe parathyroid". I nearly hit him! This was after 10 minutes begging for autoimmune testing, so was little low on energy at that moment. lol Anyrate - you probably know this link----I quickly forwarded to him of course!
http://goodhormonehealth.com/symptoms/VitaminD3.pdf
Living in England is like living in greyTupperware----the lid doesn't get burped very often!!
http://goodhormonehealth.com/symptoms/VitaminD3.pdf
Living in England is like living in greyTupperware----the lid doesn't get burped very often!!
Hello Laura, your level is only a 47 If you wear sun screen that's a problem!
you need about 40% of your body exposed to the sun 10-15 min. three times a week.
try that and then recheck After the 10-15 min then put sun screen on.
you need about 40% of your body exposed to the sun 10-15 min. three times a week.
try that and then recheck After the 10-15 min then put sun screen on.
Heh Plateletgal! Nice to see you....I live in florida and my level was only a 47 and I am always in the sun! You know my lovely history with Lymes, EBV and now Hashi's, so it does make sense that illnesses can affect....i think mostly through malabsorption and our cells forget how to utilize these things properly because our bodies are so stressed with illness. Does that make sense? lol
Read what I have put in the health pages so far for vit d deficiency....the high range of normal for vit d is a 100....I am not even at the mid normal range and I live in the sun! :)
Read what I have put in the health pages so far for vit d deficiency....the high range of normal for vit d is a 100....I am not even at the mid normal range and I live in the sun! :)
I think that a low vitamin D level is often (not always) the consequence of an illness. There are some physicians who are also starting to believe this. (Dr. Trevor Marshall's research on vitamin D dysregulation). I once remember a MedHelp member who said she lived in Florida. She had EBV and despite having a suntan and being outdoors, she had a very low vitamin D level. Months later, she posted and told me that she was feeling better and her vitamin D level was slowly rising.
What were the normal ranges given by Quest?
LabCorps normal ranges are (32-100)
I recently tested at a 47.3 and I live in florida! To me that is low normal range and I need to supplement, even though my dr didn't give it a second look because it is in the "normal range".
Please post your info above in the health pages under Vitamin D deficiency with the lab ranges including Quest and Labcorp.....very important for people to be aware. Even when they live in sunny climates!
Thanks!! :)
LabCorps normal ranges are (32-100)
I recently tested at a 47.3 and I live in florida! To me that is low normal range and I need to supplement, even though my dr didn't give it a second look because it is in the "normal range".
Please post your info above in the health pages under Vitamin D deficiency with the lab ranges including Quest and Labcorp.....very important for people to be aware. Even when they live in sunny climates!
Thanks!! :)
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