Vitamin D deficiency.

Teliooo

I thought I would share my time with major vitamin D deficiencey, in the hope that it will help some of you out there.

I had my child back in May 2009 and about a year after I stated getting some quite extreme symptoms. I was tired ALL of the time, depressed, had 0 energy. I was puffy and basically extremely unfit. I put this down to being too overweight, My bones were hurting and my ankles and wrists were swelling, I was so irritable and unhappy. I decided that I was probably deficient in iron and just overweight. So earlier this year I decided to get fit, started going on my wii fit and walking and cycling to work but this did not help any of my symptoms, in fact it aggrivated my pain a lot. In the past I had lost over 100 pounds and at my heaviest I never experience pain like that.

So I went to the doctors and she took some blood from me. In the past she has mentioned taking Vitamin D to me, mainly because people with darker skin do not absorb Vitamin D as well as lighter skin, but I ignored her. So when I went for my results, I was very suprised. I wasa little low on my iron stores but my actual iron level was fine. But the shocking result was my vitamin D level, mine was so low, that I was at the point that my bones may have been changing shape, hence the severed pain in my bones and joints.

I was very shocked, especially as you barely ever here anything about vitamin D or its importance. I was immediately put on super strength Vitamin D tablets for 12 weeks. After a week all of my pain completely went away along with my irritability. I felt like a new person. The change in me has been amazing. I have lost weight and I just am so much happier.

I would urge everyone to look into Vitamin D and its essential need in the body, not just for your physical body but your mind too. Google gives you some great resources.

This is a good starting topic, posted by a MFP member:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/369258-vitamin-d-weightloss-in-women?hl=vitamin+d#posts-5021965


I must note that when my kid was small, he had really bendy legs. I told the doctor this and she reccomended completely stripping my child to just his nappy and to let him run around in the sun. I was reluctant at this but I did anyway and after a few months his legs completely straightened out. I just wish I had listened to her almost nagging about making sure I was getting vitamin D before i got to the low point.. 50% of people in the UK are vitamin D deficient,


http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Vitamin-D-Deficiency.htm

fitplease

I have low d levels, too. My doc and I have been working to bring them up for months now. My goal for this winter is to do outdoorsy stuff, so I can get some sunlight to help my d levels.

The symptoms that stood out the most for me were that my mood was a bit off and I was very tired.

rubyosburn

For me, it was the exhaustion. I have been taking vitamin D 1000 mg for almost 2 years now. I work in a Casino in Las Vegas and don't get enough outdoor time. Now that our temps are finally cooling down, I am making an effort to get outside more often

HeatherShrinking

I'm very Vitamin D deficient. According to my doc most Minnesotans (like me) are because it is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer to be outside for long enough. He put me on 50,000 units (yep, not a typo) once a week. I have been really impressed how much it helps my mood too.

chedges9090

I also had low vitamin D. Was put on 50,000 mg per week, for.. oh, I think 6 weeks.. and then every other week for a month. I go to get re-checked in a few months. My body was also not absorbing B12.. so, I get injections right now. Will retest for them both
Makes a huge difference in my energy level. Not sure if it is one or the other.. or a combination of being low in both.

Great post!

NA_Willie

Here's my opinion: I think there is some serious kickbacks going on from the vitamin D drug companies to the doctors and insurance companies. Every person I know seems to have a "Vitamin D defecency" including myself.

I eat TONS of dairy, but I was still prescribed some crazy vitamin D suppliment. I took it because I trust my doctor, but I definitely think it is a fad.

ETA: I was prescribed the same 50,000 IU that everyone else was. Green pill.

Teliooo

For me, it was the exhaustion. I have been taking vitamin D 1000 mg for almost 2 years now. I work in a Casino in Las Vegas and don't get enough outdoor time. Now that our temps are finally cooling down, I am making an effort to get outside more often

It is amazing how one vitamin can do so much for you. I forgot about the blurred vision too. My mood swings were unbearable.

hermione_ar

My vitamin D levels were really low too - despite being very pale skinned - so I was put on supplements permanently (history of melanoma in my family and very fair skin means no spending time in the sun). I had severe pain in the joints in my spine, which has improved a lot after taking the supplements for a few months. My mood is also a lot more stable and I am starting to get normal energy levels back again. Seriously people look into it!

HeidiMightyRawr

Thanks for putting this up Many people don't realise the importance of it - I certainly didn't hear much about it until I looked into it.

I don't have low levels as far as I know (I've never have symptoms) but I did used to take a supplement for Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D at one point, mainly because I do alot of strength training and it'd be useful for that. Thinking of taking it again, especially since it's coming into the winter now and there's not much sun about.

mandasimba

Very good post. More people should know about vit D and its importance. Last time I was at the gyno they took blood for lots of different tests because I'm getting old and that is what they do Came back low on vit D. It made sense, I never leave the house without at least 50spf.

The nurse told me the importance of it and also mentioned that many people unknowingly have low Vit D, even those who claim to spend a lot of time in the sun can still suffer from deficiency.

Never hurts to keep updated on all your bloodwork! And get your children checked too, with their increasingly inside activities, children are suffering from deficiency as well.

Teliooo

Here's my opinion: I think there is some serious kickbacks going on from the vitamin D drug companies to the doctors and insurance companies. Every person I know seems to have a "Vitamin D defecency" including myself.

I eat TONS of dairy, but I was still prescribed some crazy vitamin D suppliment. I took it because I trust my doctor, but I definitely think it is a fad.

Tons of dairy is not going to help you when 90% of it is absorbed from the skin, not food. I had never even heard of vitamin D before my doc mentioned it so the drug companies can't be doing that well. My doc said it is rather the opposite. The government here make not money from it so there is not interest. You only have to do some research to realise the important role it has in your body. I have experienced what happens when you are lacking it so I can't really agree with you.

Did you know that when mining was big (here in the UK), there was a big campaign aimed at women to make sure that their husbands and family were getting enough vitamin D. Sun lamps were put in mines to keep the levels up. As soon as mining disappeared, so did the interest in vitamin D as the government no longer had any interest in keeping anyone healthy as major money is not longer made from mining.

ant_man

well not only do u need to look at vitamin d but calcium levels are important for the structure and bones of your body..

auctoritas

Here's my opinion: I think there is some serious kickbacks going on from the vitamin D drug companies to the doctors and insurance companies. Every person I know seems to have a "Vitamin D defecency" including myself.

I eat TONS of dairy, but I was still prescribed some crazy vitamin D suppliment. I took it because I trust my doctor, but I definitely think it is a fad.

ETA: I was prescribed the same 50,000 IU that everyone else was. Green pill.

If you think vitamin D deficiency is a fad, go look up pictures of rickets.

questionablemethods

I just started supplementing with a cod liver oil/butter oil blend (vitamins A, D, K2--the three are supposed to work together--plus moderate amounts of omega-3s). I also have been making it a point to go for walks without sunscreen in the sun (I'm lucky in that I work at home and can take long lunches).

Teliooo

well not only do u need to look at vitamin d but calcium levels are important for the structure and bones of your body..

True, that is something I have been working on a lot recently. I am lactose intolerant so I have really skimped on major sources (dairy ones) of it over the years.

questionablemethods

If you think vitamin D deficiency is a fad, go look up pictures of rickets.

Yeah, and I have heard that the RDA recommended allowance for vitamin D is the amount needed to prevent rickets (actually, more, "just in case") but that researchers are starting to think that, while we no longer have problems with rickets, that level is not nearly high enough for optimal health.

buzzcogs

Thanks for the information. My doctor put me on Vitamin D as well. I am very light-skinned and had spent the good part of my time for the last 2 years mostly outside but I still tested deficient. I was experiencing swelling of my hands and ankles and extreme fatigue. After about a year of taking Vitamin D I now longer have the swelling or the same kind of extreme fatigue.

My husband goes to the same practice and they put him on Vitamin D as well.

It's great to get healthy isn't it? God Bless!

Starlage

well not only do u need to look at vitamin d but calcium levels are important for the structure and bones of your body..

Yeah definitely- Last I heard too much vitamin D alone can actually take away from your bones over time causing osteoporosis (heard this at a nursing educational conference) Of course this is OVER TIME. So I'd make sure you're taking calcium too because it helps the vit D absorb. Just my opinion! Of course these recommendations change every year.... but that's what one doctor told me!

questionablemethods

Just to add to the discussion, I think this article on the relationship between cholesterol and vitamin D is really interesting: http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Vitamin-D.html

mandasimba

I also don't agree with Vit D being a drug company kickback thing. Sure, I was put on the prescription, but it was just a random generic for dirt cheap. Nobody is making big bucks off a common vitamin. Because I am quite anti-sun, I was told I should continue take a otc supplement, but there are tons of brands to choose from, there was no pushing towards one or another, or one could choose a sunlamp, or going outside... it is just a vitamin.

My turtle needs a sunlamp for vitamin D in order to help absorb calcium and keep healthy... it isn't a reptile supply company conspiracy, it is his health.

Teliooo

Just to add to the discussion, I think this article on the relationship between cholesterol and vitamin D is really interesting: http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Vitamin-D.html

great, thanks!

eddyca

I suspected low Vitamin D levels a couple years ago and started supplementing with 2,000 IU a day and stopped wearing sun block and would hang out in the sun at high noon. BAD IDEA! After about a year, I realized the sun was beginning to dry and damage skin so I began supplementing with 5,000 IU a day and going back to sunblock and avoiding the sun.
The last time I was tested in Feb. 2011 I was at 54 ng/mL which is in the "healthy" range. I hardly ever get sick now and my mood is great!

If you don't have insurance or don't want to pester your doctor for blood work you can purchase a discounted kit here:
http://www.zrtlab.com/vitamindcouncil/

questionablemethods

Just to add to the discussion, I think this article on the relationship between cholesterol and vitamin D is really interesting: http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Vitamin-D.html

great, thanks!

You're welcome. There's another one, "From Seafood to Sunshine," that Masterjohn links to in the first article but the link is broken. Here's another link where that second article is available (it's a big one, with 114 references!): www.painreliefhealthandwellness.com/articles/vitamind.pdf

HeatherShrinking

Here's my opinion: I think there is some serious kickbacks going on from the vitamin D drug companies to the doctors and insurance companies. Every person I know seems to have a "Vitamin D defecency" including myself.

:noway: I'd like to say (as respectfully as possible) that I think you are completely wrong.

My vitamin D prescription is just a basic nameless vitamin D that costs me less than $0.14 a pill (or more precisely $7.15 per year). If vitamin D companies were getting kick backs, they'd give vitamin D a designer name, be represented by a leading pharmaceutical company, advertise and raise the price.

I just don't see the possibility of a doctor/insurance conspiracy when you can look at your own blood results and compare it to a healthy vitamin D range.

ElizabethRoad

I had a deficiency as well. I know a lot of people have deficiencies, but I don't think there's anything suspicious about that. We spend quite a lot of time indoors compared to previous generations. I can vouch for the HUGE difference it made in how I felt, so I really don't think there's any scam going on here. And like others have said, it's not expensive, so the "kickbacks" would not even be worth it.

Did any of you who had deficiencies find yourself craving seafood? I never even liked seafood before, but I wanted it for every meal.

questionablemethods

Did any of you who had deficiencies find yourself craving seafood? I never even liked seafood before, but I wanted it for every meal.

Sounds like you've got a smart body, considering how rich in Vitamin D seafood tends to be. :happy: I think I could eat sushi for every meal of every day. I haven't had my vitamin D levels checked, though.

anastasiawildflower

I'm very Vitamin D deficient. According to my doc most Minnesotans (like me) are because it is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer to be outside for long enough. He put me on 50,000 units (yep, not a typo) once a week. I have been really impressed how much it helps my mood too.

I'm in Minnesota too and I can totally vouch for that! I only get outside because the puppies need a walk but this summer we barely made it around the block before running back inside. It definitely isn't easy.

ennaejay

good post!! dr mercola has some pretty good articles about the need for this vitamin -- and how most of us are getting sick because our immune systems need more than we're getting!

ElizabethRoad

Did any of you who had deficiencies find yourself craving seafood? I never even liked seafood before, but I wanted it for every meal.

Sounds like you've got a smart body, considering how rich in Vitamin D seafood tends to be. :happy: I think I could eat sushi for every meal of every day. I haven't had my vitamin D levels checked, though.

It's funny, I did develop quite a taste for seafood, which I still have even though the deficiency is gone.