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[collegekidsmom]

Interesting that over the holidays, a family member was diagnosed (from a routine blood test) with a Vitamin D deficiency. When he picked up the prescription and saw the dosage amount -50000 IUs-all of us thought that seemed quite high for a fat soluble vitamin. Apparently this is standard. The doctor had no information as to what the low level might mean, and just said to take the prescription. I did suggest the sunlight. Doctor was annoyed with the questions, and couldn't provide any information about what might cause low Vt.D. The paper that came with the prescription said something about parathyroid insufficiency and phosphorus metabolic disorder, neither of which applies.
Hopefully, it is just an isolated thing.

[luddite]

Hey luddite,

I just had my blood tested again on Tuesday, so I should find out hopefully next week what it is.  I've never had high blood pressure.  Both my parents have low vit D and take higher doses, especially my dad, and I wonder if there's some sort of genetic link(?).  I don't know, maybe some people don't absorb it as well as others.  Guess I'll find out.  I was taking the 50,000 once a week, and that got me up to normal, so I'm only taking it once a month now.  If it has gone back down, he will probably switch me to taking it every other week. 

Hope yours helps the blood pressure too.

Thanks, take heart.  I won't be getting more blood work for another 7 or 8 weeks, but I'm hopeful that by then my results will be within (or at least close to) normal range. 

Good luck on your next round of blood tests!

[ecoprofnh]

I was diagnosed with very low D also: 4 ng/L (normal = at least 40 ng/L). . . now I take 2,000 I.U. D per day in winter and 1,000 I.U. in summer. Once I got my D levels back up, I was less depressed and got sick less frequently. A spate of studies in past months have concluded that anyone who lives in northern latitudes (New England, northern plains, etc.) should take D supplements by default from October through March.

I recently read a study about the effects on nursing infants of D insufficiency in breastfeeding mothers; the mother's D insufficiency manifests as increased long-term health risks and potential developmental problems in the infants/children.

Also, recently the lab Quest discovered several mis-reads on vitamin D tests and sent letters to thousands of doctors all over the country who had used Quest for their patients' blood samples. Most mis-reads were high (i.e., told patients their D was fine when it wasn't); however, some mis-reads were low, resulting in Vitamin D toxicity in these patients who were subsequently prescribed high doses of D to correct.

[take_heart]

My blood test results showed I was low again, though not as low as last time.  So I'm back on the 50,000 units once every two weeks.  Otherwise I take 1,400 each day between a multi-vitamin and supplement. 

Econprof, I'll have to see if I see any link myself between my vitamin D and getting sick less or depression.  I generally get a touch of "winter blues," but doesn't everyone?   No sickness yet though (keeps fingers crossed)...

[dsmegnky]

Hi,
  I just found out today that I am Vitamin D deficient. My Dr. put me on 50,000 iu 2 x's a week for 3 months. Did any of you see a noticeable difference in not being as tired? I am hoping it will help me not be as tired and give me more energy.
At first I thought it was no big deal until I started to read more about it on the internet. My mom has osteoporosis and I read it can lead to that. I also read where you should ask the Dr. for a bone density test. What does that show and how can it be corrected?  I also read about a greater chance in breast cancer and colon cancer.
My father just passed away 3 weeks ago (Dec 28, 2008) from colon cancer and my grandmother passed away at the age of 40 from breast cancer. I want to make sure that I have everything checked so I don't end up getting cancer.
What other things should I ask the Dr. to check?  I know that she checked my thyroid levels (I am already on thyroid meds), my kidneys and my liver and I think that is it. I am on meds for depression and also on meds to help me sleep.
If you have any ideas or suggestions for me please let me know. It has been many years of feeling bad and I am so ready to feel better again, not only for me, but for my family. Please Help Me!!

[ideagirl]

At first I thought it was no big deal until I started to read more about it on the internet. My mom has osteoporosis and I read it can lead to that. I also read where you should ask the Dr. for a bone density test. What does that show and how can it be corrected?

It shows where your bone density is relative to the average, and tells you whether you have low, average or high risk of developing osteoporosis (assuming you continue living as you've been living). To correct it? What I've heard of is: calcium, vitamin D, and exercise, especially weight lifting. Stressing the muscles via weightlifting makes the bones they're attached to grow stronger--they ramp up whatever it is that bones normally do, making themselves denser/stronger.

Exercise has also been shown to help a whole lot of things, including depression. So if you're not already doing some kind of exercise program, and there's no good reason not to (e.g. no heart problems), get going...

[dsmegnky]

Thanks so much. I wiil ask my dr. about getting me a bone scan. I am hoping that once I get my Vitamin d back up to speed, I will start to feel better.  I have only taken 2 pills at 50,000 iu's so far.

Thanks again....