Vitamin D Deficiency

[shagnut]

I had a call from my Dr and the blood work showed I was very low in Vitamin D. Huh? Never even knew it was a concern. I tried to read up on it and it said the best source of Vit D is sunshine. Well, hello, if you could see me it sure wouldn't be that!! I'm as brown as a berry!! Any clues? shaggy

 

[Rose Pink]

Vitamin D has been in the health news alot for the past couple of years. It seems to be one of the hot research topics. There are different forms of Vitamin D. D3 (cholecalciferol) is the most potent (if I remember correctly) and is the form you want to look for in your supplements. The recommended intake can vary according to research but most have been advocating a higher level than the current US goverment recommended DV. I've heard numbers such as 600 to 800 IU.

Sunshine is a great source if you live in an area where there is enough sun. Basically, the energy in the sun rays converts the cholesterol under you skin into Vitamin D. It is the most natural way of getting the vitamin. Because we tend to cover up so as not to get skin cancer, it has been suggested that is one reason we may have low Vitamin D blood levels. Probably not your cause from what you posted.

I'm surprised you doctor even tested for it, though. It's not something that is usually tested--in fact, in all my years at the hospital I don't recall ever seeing it in lab results. Now that it is more talked about, some may be testing for it--and probably should be. Just curious as to why your doctor decided to order such a test and what his/her recommendations are.

 

[Hawaiibarb]

Treatment for Vitamin D deficiency

I've forgotten the name of the lab test, but it's easily done, and the deficiency is easily treated. Your MD can order mega doses of Vitamin D....comes in kinda a gelatin like pill......I take it once a month, and my Vitamin D levels have doubled. It's important to have an adequate amount of vitamin D levels for good absorption of calcium.....gotta keep those bones strong!

 

[Texasbelle]

Husband has high blood calcium, low vitamin D. He took megadoses of D3 which helped. Now he takes 1000 D3 daily. The high calcium shows the D3 is too low to help calcium be absorbed. There may be a tie-in with his thyroid function. Still trying to find the right dosage of Synthroid after thyroid removal. Hope some D3 helps you.

 

[Jaybee]

Shaggy, a vitamin D deficiency is not a good thing. Do you take calcium supplements? They need to have vitamin D included. Here's a website that might help you. It seems to be getting more attention lately, and I think I read that vit. D has been found to be present in every organ of the body.
Take care of yourself, girl! Jean
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp

 

[Glynda]

D

Shaggy, I'm told that one reason to test Vit D is if your thyroid numbers aren't normal. My Vit D tests low also and I take four capsules daily to keep it, and my thyroid numbers, in the normal range. I have a nodule on my thyroid.

 

[Diane]

Glynda,

My blood tested low for vitamin D while a Mayo Clinic recently, and I had a consultation with different doctors there regarding a large nodule on my left thyroid gland. No one there drew any connection between the two conditions, at least not that was mentioned to me. Can you point me to more information about the connection?

Thanks,

Diane

 

[Emily]

For a closer look at thyroid, calcium, Vit D connection - do a search on calcitonin. It is a hormone that is made in the parathyroid.

Vit D is an essential vitamin - essential meaning; it is required for your body to function but the body doesn't synthesis it on its own.

The skin does make Vit D but to keep up with the needs of the body, this would require sun exposure daily. I seem to remember that some of new sun screens block the rays that the skin would use to produce Vit D which may further cause issues.

When I was first tested, the lab was unable to report back a level, it was in the early summer and I had spent 2 weeks in FL.

The biggest problem with Vit D deficiency according to my dr is broken hips which she attributes more to diminished vit d rather than anything else - especially in women. Men usually don't have these issues because there muscle mass and bones are denser.

Edited to add:

D is a fat soluble vitamin (ADEK) and you can take too much - it is stored in the body rather than excreted in the urine. Vit D is converted from storage by the kidneys to an active form that functions as a hormone and promotes the absorption of of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine.

 

[Glynda]

Sorry

Glynda,

My blood tested low for vitamin D while a Mayo Clinic recently, and I had a consultation with different doctors there regarding a large nodule on my left thyroid gland. No one there drew any connection between the two conditions, at least not that was mentioned to me. Can you point me to more information about the connection?

Thanks,

Diane

Sorry Diane, I can't. My doctor is the one who picked up on the nodule and told me to take the large doses of Vit D to get my thyroid levels and D in balance and it's working. I had a needle biopsy on the nodule, and now have an ultra sound yearly, plus blood work twice a year. And that's all I know about that.

 

[cerralee]

I got my results of a Vit D test done several months ago yesterday. Another doctor who has put me on Bio-identical hormornes had requested a copy of it and in the interim of getting back the test results had put me on over the counter supplements. Now my regular md, after me inquiring that the results of the first test be faxed to Doc. #2 looked at the results, said they are very low and called in to the pharmacy for prescription dosage of Vitamin D.

I'm supposed to have a phone consult with Doc. #2 next week and I'll ask him which would be better for me. Prescription D (insurance covers) or supplements.
I never heard much about it either until this spring now everyone seems to be testing for it and looking at the numbers. I also had a Dexascan which shows osteopedia, which I take is the osteo you get before the osteophorosis.

 

[falmouth3]

I belong to a professional group of Clinical Chemists (Medical Laboratory Biochemistry) and I've been told that Vitamin D testing has exploded within the recent past. There is more and more evidence of the benefits of Vitamin D.

Sue

 

[shagnut]

I go for a bone density test Tues. For some reason I don't feel to good about this one. Vit D Deficinancy seems to be part of bone loss. shaggy

 

[Kay H]

Shaggy,

I get a bone density test yearly (dexascan). 7 yrs ago I was diagnosed with osteoperosis. I've been on Fosamax ever since and I've upgraded to osteopenia. I also take calcium tabs with vit D. The test is painless. Actually I go this Tues for my annual test.

 

[MULTIZ321]

See this link for an excellent review of the Thyroid gland from Wikipedia.

Click on hyperlinks within the review for more info on calcitonin, calcium homeostasis, tumors, toxic thyroid nodule, toxic nodular stuma, and other info.

See this link for a good review of Vitamin D

Vitamin D benefit Illustration

Vitamin D Deficiency Illustration

Vitamin D Source Illustration

Note that Excessive doses of vitamin D can result in increased calcium absorption from the intestinal tract. This may cause increased calcium resorption from the bones, leading to elevated levels of calcium in the blood. Elevated blood calcium may then cause calcium deposition in soft tissues such as the heart and lungs. This can reduce their ability to function.

Kidney stones, vomiting, and muscle weakness may also occur due to the ingestion of too much vitamin D.

Richard

 

[shagnut]

Richard, thanks for the links. This is so crazy. shaggy