Vitamin D deficiency?
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I have noticed joint pain and exhaustion over the last few months, but I have also had very terrible insomnia that certainly contributes to the exhaustion. I've been very depressed/anxious as well so I'm hoping the supplement will help with that
Hm...interesting! I definitely have joint pain and do deal with exhaustion.. guess I blamed it on all my working out. I'm sure some of it is working out hard but sure glad you shared the above as well as seeing this in others posts as well. It helps to be able to perhaps put a reason on exhaustion and extra joint pain!
Really appreciate everyone's input, it's really got me thinking... hmm
EDIT: I too deal with Depression and Anxiety but am on meds for that also had a rough time getting any sleep in until I began 3mg of Sundown brand Melatonin before bed time. It's helped me get that winding down feeling and then I'm able to end my day ready to crash. Highly recommend it if you're having sleep issues that aren't getting resolved. It's over the counter no prescription needed.0 -
I have had vitamin D issues for years. The only thing that finally worked for me was a tanning bed (I know crazy, but it worked). I suffer from seasonal depression because my body can't absorb vit. D. I was living in MN at the time and it is difficult to get enough sun exposure on a large enough patch of skin without getting frost bite in the dead of winter. Now I am not saying you should go tanning every day for 30 minutes or anything along those lines nor am I implying that tanning beds are or aren't safe. I am just saying that it was an option that worked for me (BTW I used the tanning bed for 2 minutes every other day for about a week and a half for each episode).
Since moving to Arizona I have only once had seasonal depression issue and it was shortly after my son was born (he was a cranky, non-sleeper who had issues eating and required being fed every hour-hour and a half). I think for about 3 months there I was house bound taking care of the little guy. When I realized I was headed down that slope I started feeding him outside in the sunshine a couple of times a day.0 -
EDIT: I too deal with Depression and Anxiety but am on meds for that also had a rough time getting any sleep in until I began 3mg of Sundown brand Melatonin before bed time. It's helped me get that winding down feeling and then I'm able to end my day ready to crash. Highly recommend it if you're having sleep issues that aren't getting resolved. It's over the counter no prescription needed.
Thanks for the tip! I've tried melatonin the last 2 nights and it didn't work I haven't tried that brand though - do you think that specific brand will help more or are all melatonins the same? 0 -
First off, I'm shocked there are so many people with this issue, I could have used this thread a few years ago!! I take 2000-5000 a day and also take Magnesium. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia years ago and refused to believe that I just had some random disease that my Dr. told me "we just call it Fibro b/c we don't know what it is". I noticed that it was much worse in the winter for me, and I LOVE the sun, actually crave it, so I did some research and decided to take Vitamin D. It took about 3-4 weeks of 5000 a day and then the pain was GONE. This was in the dead of winter. I know it's the Vitamin D b/c I don't have to take it AT ALL in the summer b/c of the amount of sun I get. A tanning bed helps, but I also don't want to overdo it, so in the winter I just up my D.
I thought after losing some weight and feeling so good this summer, I would be good, but in September my arms started hurting again. Started taking my D and a few weeks later I'm better. So, it's just something I will do my whole life, but SO much better than being in pain and chronically exhausted! Give it some time to let the D get in your system! Hang in there, it will get better!0 -
Takes time. I was deficient too, and it took about a month. I was really shocked that I was deficient since I CRAVE sunshine for my mood and spend as much time as possible in the sun and use full spectrum lights in the house.
Me too! I wonder if it's b/c our body is trying to tell us we need the D. People have always teased me about being part plant and a sun-worshiper. When spring/summer arrives and I can lay in the sun, I actually feel like I'm refueling or something, I will lay in the sun and just breath a sigh of relief. My husband says my mood is immediately happier and more vibrant as well. We talked about moving South because of it, but honestly I'm worried about my skin if I am exposed all year round to the amount of sunshine I feel I need. So...in the fall and winter, I'll religiously take my Vitamin D and wait for the sun to come back!
Oh and I don't think it's the same D (I believe Vitamin D isn't actually a VITAMIN, right?) that you get from food or lamps. I can tell the difference when I'm in actual sunlight. Our body cannot be tricked so easily, I don't think!0 -
Great topic! A couple of years ago out of the blue I developed eczema. Went to multiple dermatologist visits, got rid of all my scented detegents/fabric softeners/lotions/etc, used a myriad of creams including steroid ones and was still miserable. I had scabs all over my body from itching so much.
Did some research and found some articles about Vitamin D deficiency and eczema. Started taking D3 5000 IU's daily and within a month or so the eczema is GONE!!!!!! I can't believe I suffered so long with it. Wish I had done my reasearch sooner.0 -
Yes, the dreaded and scary vitamin d deficiency. 1 1/2 years ago I started having fast heart rate, spikes in heart rate for no reason (up to 120bpm sitting), high blood pressure, dizziness, faintness, headaches, severe muscle weakness (where I couldn't lift or hold onto anything), bone pain, numbness, allergies, skin problems, woman problems, very hungry all the time and weight gain.
They thought:
Heart attack - no
Stroke - no
Multiple Sclerosis - negative
Diabetes - possibly because my blood sugar was too high once on an empty stomach
Cancer - nada
After a few ER trips, and 3 months of EKGs, holter monitors, an echo, several blood tests, a brain MRI, abdominal ultrasounds and a uterine biopsy, $5000 in out of pocket expenses, several cardiac, and hormone and anxiety meds, and 5 specialists, I then started to notice my nail beds were receding. So the doctor decided to check vitamins - a simple $100 blood test! Vit D was at 15, everything else was fine. So they treated me with 50,000 for 8 weeks, and my level went up to a 38 and all symptoms disappeared gradually over the course of treatment including the high blood sugar.
This past Feb, the symptoms started coming back. So I went to have vit d checked again and it was a 9. took 18 weeks on 50,000 to get me up to a 27. Doctor said that was fine, and started me on 2000 D3 per day to maintain. I'm still taking the calcium channel blocker they gave me due to raynaud's disease, but I feel better than I have in a LONG time - probably ever.
Needless to say, they regularly monitor my vitamin d levels now.
Much research is still needing to be done, but Vitamin D is responsible for so many functions in the body, including the heart, digestion, hormone regulation, and hunger satiation, kidneys, brain function, muscles and bones. So it's important that everyone get checked, even if you live in a sunny place, and even if you feel fine - especially in the winter months.
For me, I'm really fair skinned so I naturally stayed out of the sun on purpose. On top of that, I live where it rains as much as Seattle! Now I don't avoid the sun (when we get some), and I do not wear any lotions with SPF anymore. I'll take the wrinkles later in life over feeling like again that any day.0 -
It never worked for me either, but try valerian root. Be forewarned that it smells like evil incarnate, but has definitely helped put me to sleep when melatonin never has.Thanks for the tip! I've tried melatonin the last 2 nights and it didn't work I haven't tried that brand though - do you think that specific brand will help more or are all melatonins the same?0 -
From all the research it seems this is pretty common and can cause a lot of health problems!!! I just wonder why my body does not absorb vitamin D since I am always in the sun and get a lot of it through my food and vitamins. Hopefully the problem will be fixed very soon!!0
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Getting it from actual food is going to be much more helpful than supplements will be!0
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I have never known any to get headaches from Vitamin D. But, I do know alot of people who got headaches from iron supplements. If it were me I would talk to my doctor about cutting back the iron. Hope this helps.0
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I'm trying to increase the foods I eat that have vitamin D. I have been drinking 2-3 cups of milk a day along with the supplements. I have yet to start the iron supplements as I couldn't find them at my grocery store but plan to get some tomorrow. I think the combination of low iron and vitamin D may be why I am so exhausted.0
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I also take 50,000 rx once a week... My problem is after I start taking the maintenance dosage I don't maintain it.. I feel exhausted and my legs ache so bad I cry at night!!! Good luck I hope it kicks in soon!0
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Wow I had no idea this was so common! All the research out their is so outdated. I kept reading that this happens to people in northern climates or who have darker pigmant in their skin. I'm a stay at home mom who is outside all the time - walk the dog, play with the kids, etc and I live in NC where it is beautiful weather much of the year!
While I can't say I noticed any specific symptoms I will say my energy has gone up since starting the Vit D. I take 5000 IU every day. I was first diagnosed at the start of the summer and I just decided I would try to self treat with more sun and diet but I went back for my follow up blood test and no change. The Dr. said this sort of deficiency needs supplements to catch up. So now it has been supplements for 6 weeks and I just had my blood test today. Fingers crossed that we got it up!
Good luck finding the balance that works for you!0 -
I also take 50,000 rx once a week... My problem is after I start taking the maintenance dosage I don't maintain it.. I feel exhausted and my legs ache so bad I cry at night!!! Good luck I hope it kicks in soon!
Just to clarify, when you say 'maintenance dosage' are you referring to the lower dosages you take the rest of the week?
The reason I ask is I too have leg pain that badly at night, also making me close to tears. I'm on higher doses now and haven't noticed the pain though it's only been a short time on the double dosage. Maybe the higher dose will help me with this issue, really glad you brought it up! I'd been trying to figure out what the heck was causing the pain for awhile now, all I could come up with was I must not be stretching out good after strength training. lol But since I cover that pretty well... this is making more sense.0 -
Find out what your Vit D level actually is. If it is VERY low, you need a prescription for Vit D for a few weeks, which amounts to taking 50,000 units a week. That amount needs to be monitored by a physician and your level needs to be rechecked. Then your maintenance amount needs to be calculated. My level was only 6 (dangerously low). After the prescription was completed I am now on a maintenance dose of 4,000 units a day and my level is still only in the 30's. I take 2,000 units twice daily with a calcium supplement (I am 55). The other thing to check is your B12 level. If you no longer eat alot of red meat, if you are a bit older, or if you are taking proton pump inhibitors like prevacid (or actually most of the antacids) your Vit B12 level may be low which could also explain your symptoms. If you need to take B12 supplements and your physician does not think B12 injections are necessary, purchase the sublingual B12 supplements as they are better absorbed by your body (under the tongue to dissolve). Low levels of either vitamin is nothing to mess around with, and are associated with many ailments. Best of luck to you!
This^^Wow. I am an RD and couldn't have said it better myself.0 -
I also take 50,000 rx once a week... My problem is after I start taking the maintenance dosage I don't maintain it.. I feel exhausted and my legs ache so bad I cry at night!!! Good luck I hope it kicks in soon!
You should also be taking calcium 500mg twice daily and add chelated magnesium 500mg at night. Vit D deficiency has a strong relation to calcium and magnesium (in a nutshell).0 -
For those that get lots of sun and are still low,
A.)Are you wearing sunscreen? That will shield you from making vitamin D.
B.) Are you showering right after sun exposure. Give it a few hours. The oils on your skin are what have the vitamin D, and if you shower right away using lots of soap or bodywash, you are washing the Vitamin D down the drain before it can be absorbed.0 -
Just to co-sign what so many have said, you need to stick with it for a while longer. You will feel better. I had a level of 12 earlier this year and was on 50,000 IU for several weeks. I'm now on a 4,000 IU maintenance dose. I'm much less fatigued and I sleep better. It's common to be deficient, feeling bad and not knowing why. Also for people of color It's harder to absorb Vitamin D from the sun.0
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I was diagnosed with a Vitamin D deficiency and low Iron last year. I ended up with a supplement for both, for starters within a week I was thinking clearly again, and wasn't so tired all the time. Once my levels were good I was on a hunt for a milder supplement, I found a Post-Natal supplement at Costco that is giving me what I need (keeping me regular too). I am almost 50 but this sure gives me what I need and my blood work according to my Doctor is great.
Good luck!0 -
From all the research it seems this is pretty common and can cause a lot of health problems!!! I just wonder why my body does not absorb vitamin D since I am always in the sun and get a lot of it through my food and vitamins. Hopefully the problem will be fixed very soon!!
Vit D deficiency is quite common. You are not getting as much as you think through the sun, multivit and food. Some people just don't produce it on the surface of the skin very efficiently. It is not found in large amounts in any food and most multivits only provide about 400IU which is an outdated RDI. If your current level is at 33, you could easily supplement about 5,000IU daily for the next 3-6 mths safely and then have it rechecked. You want it to be up around 50-70. It is likely that you would need to stay on a maintenance dose even after you get your blood level back up.0 -
my level was the same as yours and i was told to take 4000 IU a day after a few megadoses of 50,000 IU once a week for 12 weeks. now i take about 2000 IU a day and it's in the 50s. i'd take more than 1000, personally. i feel like if you have a deficiency, 1000 is just not enough.0
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Mine was 25 at my last test and I take 4000iu per day, plus a multivitamin. I do have headaches, fatigue, and some body aches and pains. I am hypothyroid and being treated for that. Dr. is checking for celiacs because he thinks it isn't getting absorbed. We will see!0
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My doc put me on Vit D about a year ago. 50,000 IU dose once a week for 12 weeks and then 50,000 once a month with a 5,000 IU dose daily. He said that if you take a 5,000 IU dose you're not actually getting that much because of the way that the body breaks down the pill?
For the 50,000 dose there is a supplement called Replesta that is a chewable wafer. You can get it over the counter (no prescription) but because it is a medical grade food supplement it's not on the shelves. You have to ask at the counter. You can also buy it online. It was much easier on my stomach than taking dozens of little pills :-)0 -
For those that get lots of sun and are still low,
A.)Are you wearing sunscreen? That will shield you from making vitamin D.
B.) Are you showering right after sun exposure. Give it a few hours. The oils on your skin are what have the vitamin D, and if you shower right away using lots of soap or bodywash, you are washing the Vitamin D down the drain before it can be absorbed.
Well yes, but there is more involved I believe. Skin color changes in response to the exposure and thae trigger is the pituitary gland. As soon as you've see that sun your pituitary produces the hormones needed to up your melanocytes and produce melatonin. The pituitary gets the trigger from the the optic nerve....so take off the sunglasses. 0 -
I used to take 3000mg of Vitamin D a day cause I was extremely deficient, it definitely took awhile to feel better. I am also anemic so I know that affected me as well.
I tried to get more time outdoors, eat more iron rich foods and drink Milk with vitamin D and that helped pick me up faster.0 -
I have a Vitamin D deficiency. When I was diagnosed, it was so low that I was at risk for osteomalacia, which is when your bones start breaking. It is important, because it helps your bones absorb the calcium you take in and keeps them strong. I started off taking 10,000 IU daily for 2 weeks, then 20,000 IU every Sunday. Now I take 10,000 IU every week. sources of vitamin D are fortified cereals, milk, fatty fish, and beef liver, and 15 minutes a day of direct sunlight. I really think that if you take the multivitamins and the vitamin D supplements you'd feel much better.0
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I take 2000 IU per day. Its safe and its the upper limit. If you want to recover faster I would do that. Its really hard to OD on vit D. You would have to take a lot of it for a really long time.
This amount is safe but I wouldn't say it's right that it's the upper limit. I have MS - linked to low vitamin d - but that's a different kettle of fish. I take 7,000 IU a day and recently had my blood test and it was at 161 nmol/L which is normal - high for someone with this condition. The amount that studies have shown symptoms of toxicity is 40,000 IU a day. So I'd say you coud take more than 1,000 a day. Disclaimer - ask your doc first I'm not a medic! Recommended intake is 200IU a day but many experts believe this figure is seriously too low. There's little vitamin d in foods. Sunlight and supplements are best.0 -
I kept reading that this happens to people in northern climates or who have darker pigmant in their skin.
Blood work showed I was deficient, so my doc advised a daily supplement.
He said he read a study that showed residents of the northern tier of states actually had higher levels of vit D than residents of the southern tier.
The reasoning was that when southerners go outdoors, we tend to cover up, wear sunscreen, wear a wide brimmed hat, etc. When northerners go outdoors, they enjoy the infrequent exposure of the sun on their skin.
Surprising, but somewhat logical.0 -
I kept reading that this happens to people in northern climates or who have darker pigmant in their skin.
Blood work showed I was deficient, so my doc advised a daily supplement.
He said he read a study that showed residents of the northern tier of states actually had higher levels of vit D than residents of the southern tier.
The reasoning was that when southerners go outdoors, we tend to cover up, wear sunscreen, wear a wide brimmed hat, etc. When northerners go outdoors, they enjoy the infrequent exposure of the sun on their skin.
Surprising, but somewhat logical.
1st quoted -exactly, a darker pigment to the skin might have developed to protect stores of folate and a genetic trigger evolved for increased cholesterol to maximize the production of D. So...darker skin adaptations and you move up north, there might not be enough sunlight to penetrate that dark skin to convert the extra cholesterol to D.0
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