Vitamin D and Low Iron

roachtg
roachtg Posts: 56 Member
edited December 21 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there. I have been on MFP since March and have been working my butt off and eating right and not really seeing the pounds or inches come off. As many of you know this makes a person really want to give up and throw in the towel, but I can't do that, done it too many times already and I am really tired of hiding from the mirror and the cameras! So I went to the Dr. to have some blood work done to check a few things. I really thought it would be a thyroid issue but that was fine. I was told I was Vitamin D deficient and my Iron was very low. I am now taking Vitamin D vitamins and Iron as directed by my doctor. I have been trying to read up on these issues and what affect they have on weight loss and some have said that being low can keep you from losing weight. Has anyone had any experience with this?

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I too have an "insufficiency" of Vitamin D and am taking 4000 iu per day to increase it. I believe vitamin D and calcium are involved in some part of the mechanics of fat loss see for example http://www.ajcn.org/content/79/5/907S.full

    http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/03/21/if-your-vitamin-d-levels-are-low-whats-a-useful-starting-dose/
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Imbalances can do that. D is necessary for Calcium absorbtion, and Calcium is crucial to weight loss. I've never been low on Iron, but I'm sure it doesn't help. Being low on either of those could make you depressed, lethargic, fatigued. Must make your daily routine difficult.

    I'm sure you will start feeling better soon. Vitamin D supplements are one of the best things I've ever done. I live in a cool, rainy area and was deficient too. You'll notice a huge difference.
  • chelsie_1984
    chelsie_1984 Posts: 46 Member
    So glad I stumbled upon this. I am going to watch this to see all the responses. I am on a weight program from my doctor but my Vitamin D came back as being low. I was prescribed some vitamin D pills that I need to take for 12 weeks (1 pill a week). I need to go get them but I was hesitating because I didn't think it would really make a difference. Like you, my iron is low too. The Dr. didn't bring it up but everytime I go to donate blood I get turned away because my iron is too low. Good luck, hope you get some answers :-)
  • Jonalee1977
    Jonalee1977 Posts: 415 Member
    I also have a been dealing wih a Vitamin D deficiency for a year-and-a-half. When I first found out, I was at a level 13. The last time I had it checked, I was up in the 20s. I take 5,000 IUs daily. Not sure if the deficiency was to blame for my weight gain or if it was because I quit smoking, but I sure hope I can get the weight off.
  • roachtg
    roachtg Posts: 56 Member
    Thanks for all the posts. I am hoping that this will help get my system back on track. I am starting to feel a little better or at least not as exhausted as I had been.
    Good luck to everyone on your journey. Friend me if you like. The more support the better.
  • mturgeon05
    mturgeon05 Posts: 204
    2 weeks ago I was diagnosed with deficiencies in Vitamin D, Iron, and Zinc and also with Fibromyalgia. I have since been taking a 50,000 IU Vitamin D pill once a week and B12, Iron, and Zinc daily. I am truly hopeful that this will help with the depression, fatigue, low moods, and pain I have been dealing with for 13 years.

    There is no doubt in my mind that vitamin deficiencies can derail weight loss attempts.

    Good luck!
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