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Diagnosed Vit D Deficient

After over a year of severe pain between my shoulder blades i have been told im Vit D Deficient.

Have had various xrays scans (xray, mri dexa, and isotope) outcome which is softening of the bones in my spine.

My daily symptons are severe joint and muscle pains, feeling totally run down and crap, Tiredness, no sex drive, confusion feeling like im spaced out, depressed, not wanting to do anything, blurred vision.

Lately its been hard wifes birthday christmas, I just didnt give a damn about it i couldnt find the energy/motivation to celebrate any of it i knew in the back of mind i was being a total grump but all i wanted to do was sit there and not speak hardly to anyone and stay in my own little world. Caused a argument or two and even that wasnt much of a argument cause i really didnt have it in me to argue.

Im 39 work as a builder 99% of my work is outdoors so get my daily recommendation of it well as much as we get in the UK.

Struggling at work though im just so tired arms legs my whole body aches and doing small jobs just do me in which in my job most of them are physchically demanding , ive managed not to have to have a day of work allthough i so need it i feel like i need to rest for a good week.

Sleeping isnt to bad although i wake up at various times through out the night and some times have problems going back to sleep them come 5.30 im up for work and the dreaded day starts again.

Really thought i was suffering from deppression felt so down thinking stuff like wouldnt it feel so nice rest to sleep and not wake again thats how tired i felt.

I havent spoke to my Gp yet about the course of action as ive only just found outy via a copy of the letter that my consultant sent to my doctor stating normal dexa scan but Vit D deficient   8 ng/mL      21 nmol and suggesting adcal D3.

Im epileptic and have been taking epilim chrono for many years and this is what the consultant has put down to the vit level does this sound right to you guys

Relly needed to get this of my chest aint one for showing my emotions to my family and friends they think its just back pain i get didnt mention of any of the other symptons feeling deepresed my wife just thinks that im miserable.

Thanks for reading

Marc
5 Responses
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1580703 tn?1651904887
is it helpful to take more than 5000 IU/day?  
Helpful - 0
1580703 tn?1651904887
I read online that the maximum daily dose is 4000IU.  I have been prescribed higher by my doctor for my deficiency but I don't think it was serious.
I've begun to retake it for my asthma hoping it will help.  how can it help asthma?  does it relax the smooth muscles or prevent attacks?
Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
If you go by conventional standards, the normal range is 30.0 to 74.0 ng/mL [74.8 to 184.7 nmol/L].  I personally wouldn't go below 125 nmol/L based on the research.

"Studies indicate that for proper health, serum vitamin D levels should be a minimum of 50 ng/mL (125 nmol/L), with optimal levels falling between 50-80 ng/mL (125-200 nmol/L). These values apply to both children and adults." - Am I vitamin D deficient? - vitamin D council

Wishing you optimal health. :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
you state that  The vitamin D council recommend optimal vitamin D levels at 80ng/mL or 200nmol/L.

My letter from the consultant to the gp says

"vit d deficient with a total vit d of 21 nmol (normal >50)

they recommend 200 should i mention this number to the gp or is there difference levels recommended

Marc
Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
Based on what you have mentioned, your vitamin D deficiency risk factors are your prescription drug, living above the 35° latitude, and low magnesium levels (two studies showed every epileptic had low red blood cell magnesium serum - this is better test to help pick up a magnesium deficiency although no magnesium test is accurate).  The vitamin D council recommend optimal vitamin D levels at 80ng/mL or 200nmol/L.

Causes of vitamin D deficiency include:

* Lack of sunlight

* Living north of 35° latitude (eg: Europe, Canada, two thirds of the US). There are no UVB rays (that create vitamin D) between the months of November through March due to the angle of the sun

* Dark or black skin needs up to 10 times the amount of sun than light skin to absorb vitamin D in their skin

* Wearing sunscreen - prevents absorption of UVB rays

* Lack of vitamin D co-factors - magnesium (most important co factor), zinc, vitamin K2, boron, and a tiny amount of vitamin A

* Magnesium and calcium compete for absorption so excessive consumption of calcium can cause a magnesium deficiency (most important co factor for vitamin D absorption).

* Low cholesterol - cholesterol is the precursor to vitamin D. Vitamin D3 is made in the skin when 7-dehydrocholesterol absorbs UVB ultraviolet light at wavelengths between 270 - 300 nm

* Kidney and liver disease - vitamin D is processed (metabolized) by the liver and kidneys into an active form of vitamin D

* Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - genetic defects in the receptor site for vitamin D.  More vitamin D is needed than the average person  

* Parathyroid conditions (parathyroid - glands in front of the thyroid). PTH (parathyroid hormone) regulates calcium in the blood. As the calcium level increases, the level of vitamin D decreases

* Malabsorption problems like Celiac's disease, Crohn's disease

* Medications including statins (cholesterol lowering drugs), acid lowering medications, anti-inflammatories, laxatives, prednisone, corticosteroids, anti-convulsants

* Very large or obese body, as a larger body requires more vitamin D

* Very low fat diet -  in order to absorb vitamin D the body needs to have fat (vitamin D is fat soluble)

* Conditions that impair fat absorption such as Cystic Fibrosis, IBS, IBD, gall bladder, liver disease

* Older adults - the skin converts less vitamin D from sunlight  

* High cortisol levels (caused by stress, medications like steroids or medical conditions such as Cushing's Disease).  When the body is in an active stress response, most of the cholesterol is used to make cortisol and not enough is left over for vitamin D production  

* Inflammation of any type reduces the utilization of vitamin D

* Lacking vitamin D in the diet or a strict vegetarian diet - natural food sources of vitamin D are animal based

* Hereditary disorders

- Renal 1 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency (also called type I hereditary vitamin D-dependent rickets)

- Type II Hereditary Vitamin D-Dependent Rickets

- Type III hereditary vitamin D-dependent rickets
Helpful - 0
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363281 tn?1643235611
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