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 ?.

[Joni686]

Good luck.  It's only a high potency vit B and folic acid from what I've been told.  If I miss it one day I feel a difference.

[gadgetsmidnight]

I have not heard of Metanx.  I will ask my PCP.  I think he will probably have me wait and talk to the Endocrinologist before he makes anymore changes to my medications, but it can't hurt to ask.

[Joni686]

Gadget...  I meant to mention to you.  Ask your doctor about Metanx since you are low on B vitamins.  It is a prescription of folic acid and B vits and I couldn't get out of bed without it.  It is really awesome!

[Joni686]

minmtn, I have one of the best cardiologists right here in Houston.  He has had many reports written on him.  He is the one that took care of me when I had vasculitis around my heart and fluid around my heart, it was due to the lupus being very active not WPW but thanks for the suggestion.
I have also studied quite a bit on Vit D and I have been on 50,000.iu a week and now my levels are doing better by taking 4-6,000. daily.
I'm glad you have found someone you believe in and can follow his lead.  I personally have learned that my vit. D levels are much better if I am in the sun a few minutes whenever possible and also taken once a day.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Good luck...

[gadgetsmidnight]

I just started the 50,000IU weekly of Vitamin D, I have 12 weeks worth.  Boy did it make me nauseated.  I did find out that my level was 11.  They haven't done any other testing, but I might see if my PCP will do an Ionized calcium level.  I have an appointment with an endocrinologist in March. (I was diagnosed with Diabetes 3 or 4 years ago and now with the vitamin deficiencies the PCP wants to pass me off.)  I have been reading through the Vitamin D council's website.  I am still overwhelmed and hopefully if I keep reading, things will begin to make sense.  Thanks for commenting.

[minmtn]

To learn a lot about Vit D deficiency symptoms from one of the world's top Vit D scientists, go to www.vitamindhealth.org.  Under External Links, click on the ECTS link -- a video presentation (very entertaining, by the way).  Also at the same site, click on Original Journal Articles for the New England Journal of Medicine articles.  The old bottom number was 30 -- the current scientists use 50, therefore, a level of 11 is quite low and with Vit D not working, one's calcium would also be off.  If 50,000 iu remains a problem after trying it the 2nd week -- you're only taking it once a week, right?  -- then try getting over the counter 2,000iu and taking about 6,000 iu each day (after discussing with your doc.)  Also, lots of info at www.vitamindcouncil.com.  Both sites have info about diabetes and Vit D deficiency.  Good luck!  minmtn