Vitamin D
RLFlores92
Posts: 32 Member
I'm 5'2" and 171lbs currently. I've been logging for 172 days now and haven't really lost any weight. I don't eat horribly, about 1300-1400 calories per day, portion sizes are normal and I splurge on a meal or two per week. I exercise 3 to 4 days a week with cardio and strength training. When I exercise if I'm running my heart rate peaks at 192 but is generally at 165 for most of the run. I wear a heart rate monitor when I exercise to get accurate calories burned. Today I got a call back from my doctor about some blood work and was told I had a vitamin D deficiency. My levels are at 13 when at the lowest they should be at 30! They are giving me a prescription for the supplement. Now I had this problem when I was 16 and was put on a prescription for a while. I lost A LOT of weight back then. I also worked at Domino's Pizza and ate there twice a day and still weighed 120lbs. I started gaining weight about a year and a half after I stopped taking the Vitamin D supplement. I also had issues with my thyroid for a while. I know this may be far fetched but could my severe deficiency be why I can't lose any weight?
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Replies
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Do you weigh and measure your food? I *used* to think I was eating 1400 calories. Then I bought a food scale and turns out I was eating about double that. Which is why I was not losing.0
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I do. I also read all my food labels and watch my fats, carbs and proteins.0
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Did they test your thyroid this time also? There is a strong link with thyroid and vitamin D deficiencies.0
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I have also suffered from this last winter when I was struggling to lose weight and looked into the evidence around it. There was a study that showed vitamin D supplementation could help obese and overweight people lose (statistically) significantly more weight than people who were not supplementing. I think the difference over the course of a year was about 8 pounds. I did lose a bit after a got my blood levels into an optimal range but whether or not that was due to the vitamin D or because I simple ate less is hard to say as I was not very diligent about tracking my intake. I did have virtually no vitamin d in my blood and was struggling to stay awake for any length of time. I felt more energetic and was able to move more once I was optimal which no doubt helped. Vitamin d deficiency is very common in people with other disorders such as hypothyroidism (which I have), celiacs, etc., so you might want to get to the bottom of why this is a recurring problem for you.0
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A lot of people are vitamin d deficient and don't know it. I started taking a vitamin D every day and not only do I have more energy but I've noticed I lose weight faster when I take it... Not sure why either, but I'll take it!0
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There appears to be a correlation with vitamin D and weight gain in elderly women but further studies are needed.
Don't change anything else and let us know in a month or two if your weight loss speed up.0 -
RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »Did they test your thyroid this time also? There is a strong link with thyroid and vitamin D deficiencies.
No they didn't test for that at all. Around 17 i was diagnosed with hypothyroid but when I went back a year later for a check up they said that the problem fixed itself?0 -
Yes! Well at least the vitamin D part, I'm in the northeast and pretty much everyone is vitamin D deficient, and I've read it can slow your weight loss down.. Not that it would make you stop losing weight, but it can slow your metabolism a tad if you're deficient in D or other B vitamins... Make sure you take a food based vitamin, I've been learning a lot and just because vitamins have a certain amount, doesn't mean your body absorbs it all! Food based ones get absorbed more! As far as your other concerns I'm not sure on, but yes vitamin D deficiency can play a (small) role in weight loss0
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You know, I think many deficiencies and vitamins can hurt and help our efforts. The choir will sing about CICO until they're hoarse but I keep experiencing things that make me question it.
Like how I finally stopped actually counting calories, stopped taking a medication that I am so absolutely sure lead to my weight gain, and am now supplementing with vitamin D (I believe I experience more depressive symptoms in winter so I have decided it's going to be a regular supplement), and instead of my anti depressant I'm trying a more natural herbal that has shown benefits to depressed patients.
It's only been a few weeks but I have lost 2lbs without counting anything, and I really hope I'm on to something for myself. We are not simple "in vs out" machines, there is so much happening on a biological level that we cannot rely on such a simple concept being the only solution. So basically I do believe that having vitamin deficiency can slow down or stop weight loss- if your body is worried about the lack of a nutrient, it's not going to help you empty out stores of fat because it's too concerned about what it's lacking. Give it all it needs first then you can focus on losing fat.
All just my opinion, but based on personal experiences as of late.0 -
You know, I think many deficiencies and vitamins can hurt and help our efforts. The choir will sing about CICO until they're hoarse but I keep experiencing things that make me question it.
Like how I finally stopped actually counting calories, stopped taking a medication that I am so absolutely sure lead to my weight gain, and am now supplementing with vitamin D (I believe I experience more depressive symptoms in winter so I have decided it's going to be a regular supplement), and instead of my anti depressant I'm trying a more natural herbal that has shown benefits to depressed patients.
It's only been a few weeks but I have lost 2lbs without counting anything, and I really hope I'm on to something for myself. We are not simple "in vs out" machines, there is so much happening on a biological level that we cannot rely on such a simple concept being the only solution. So basically I do believe that having vitamin deficiency can slow down or stop weight loss- if your body is worried about the lack of a nutrient, it's not going to help you empty out stores of fat because it's too concerned about what it's lacking. Give it all it needs first then you can focus on losing fat.
All just my opinion, but based on personal experiences as of late.
But CICO isn't the description of a "method", it's the description of a "process." CI>CO = weight gain; CI<CO = weight loss; CI=CO = maintenance.
This doesn't change, regardless of what medication you may be on or what medical things you're going through. This doesn't change if you're a starving child or a fat aristocrat.
The variance comes in the things that affect our individual "CO" portions of the equation. A heavier person is going to have a higher "CO" than a lighter person. A person with PCOS may have a much lower "CO" than someone who doesn't have it.
Regardless of whatever diet one chooses to go on, the weight loss will always come from CI<CO. It's just a preference on how one would like to achieve said deficit.0 -
Well, that's not completely true. We know that differing gut microbiota extract calories (especially from carbs) at different rates. So the same "calories in the mouth" will not be the same "calories absorbed" for every person. Sadly, many of the things people do to lose weight result in a over growth of gut bacteria that extract calories at a higher rate. Especially artificial sweeteners. Here's a link if anyone is interested. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4494042/0
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I think the vast majority of Americans are vitamin D deficient.
My endocrinologist is really interested in the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune diseases (especially type 1 diabetes). I ended up being severely deficient (I think my total D serum was 7 whenever I was tested 2-3 months after my T1DM diagnosis), but I'm not 100% sure if it's the T1DM that brought on the vitamin D deficiency or the vitamin D deficiency that brought on the T1DM (or if there's any connection at all).
Anyways, I've been religiously taking 2000IU D3 a day for the past year, and it has done nothing other than bring my D3 levels back into normal ranges.0 -
I was vitamin d deficient and started a supplement a year ago. I gained ten pounds over that year. I don't think it had anything to do with it personally. When you were 16 you might have been able to eat dominos like that; I could. But not anymore.0
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Would you ever consider taking a multivitamin? It will have iodine in it which can help regulate thyroid. A multi will also contain a bit of calcium, along with vit D. Take care of your bones.0
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I found out I had a vitamin D deficiency too. I take 2000 units of D3 every day since July and its perfect now. I also have hypothyroidism and take things for that too. I'm surprised they didn't check that for you but like the others said I would ask to have it checked. Between the two things being corrected it's helped me lose a bit more easily.0
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Please speak to your doctor about an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto's syndrome. It attacks the thyroid over time, sometimes causing levels to fluctuate between low and normal and even high. Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and can be tested even if your thyroid levels are within normal range because of the antibodies it produces.
Hashimoto's can also affect the parathyroid gland, which controls Vitamin D / calcium balance.
(And, no, Vitamin D isn't a magic weight loss pill. But it's more like a hormone (not a vitamin) and influences many biological processes, like immune response and bone health.)0 -
hi I am Bea from Texas, recently diagnosed with diabetes and found to have a vitamin D deficiency. Mine is 15 and dr. recommended 2000IU of D3. I have also added milk back to my general eating (and eggs yuck-yolks contain D) and I have started going for short walks with no sunscreen to soak up some natural D. I hope I am doing this right!0
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As someone with both a thyroid problem and a deficiency in the following:
iron
vitamin d
b complex
folic acid
and magnesium
As well as another autoimmune disorder.....
No. I call BS. It sounds like a convenient excuse to blame either of those things for your lack of weight loss for the past 6 months. I think it's pretty obvious that what it really boils down to is that you are a.) eating more than you think you are, b.) less active than you think you are, or c.) lack consistency in calorie counting/exercising.
I encourage you to log more strictly for 2 weeks, lower the calories to 1,200 if you must, and perform light cardiovascular exercise. Re-visit your weight and i can almost assure you that you will have lost.
It wasn't until i took a long hard look and was very honest with myself that i lost weight with the health problems that i have. I was convinced everything was stacked against me. The truth is that i overate on the weekends, ate too many "cheat meals" (even one of these can undo a few weeks worth of work), didn't exercise as frequently as i thought, and overate of things like nut butters/snacking/tasting. Once i cut this out, accepted it, and truly changed, i lost all of the weight i needed to lose over a 8-12 week period.0 -
Strength training is shown to increase absorption of Vitamin D. I would take a real hard look at your logging and the size of your portions and be really honest with yourself about your food.0
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You eat just more than you think
Open your diary and let people help you.
Your logging is maybe far off.
There are lots of people ( here) that have a thyroid problem or a vitamin D deficiency and lose weight just fine.
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Some Vitamin D tablets have soy in them, so be careful. I take 2000iu daily, mine was extremely low and I only found out through blood work. I take vitafusion, pop two in my mouth, chew them up and I am done. Once I start taking Vitamin D, it was like night and day, the fog was removed from my brain and my depressive thoughts disappeared. I also take synthroid daily.0
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You know, I think many deficiencies and vitamins can hurt and help our efforts. The choir will sing about CICO until they're hoarse but I keep experiencing things that make me question it.
Like how I finally stopped actually counting calories, stopped taking a medication that I am so absolutely sure lead to my weight gain, and am now supplementing with vitamin D (I believe I experience more depressive symptoms in winter so I have decided it's going to be a regular supplement), and instead of my anti depressant I'm trying a more natural herbal that has shown benefits to depressed patients.
It's only been a few weeks but I have lost 2lbs without counting anything, and I really hope I'm on to something for myself. We are not simple "in vs out" machines, there is so much happening on a biological level that we cannot rely on such a simple concept being the only solution. So basically I do believe that having vitamin deficiency can slow down or stop weight loss- if your body is worried about the lack of a nutrient, it's not going to help you empty out stores of fat because it's too concerned about what it's lacking. Give it all it needs first then you can focus on losing fat.
All just my opinion, but based on personal experiences as of late.
I get where you're coming from, but calories in/calories out is a predictable way to lose weight, ***unless you have underlying health conditions***, which will skew the numbers. It's still the same concept, it just may need a little tweaking.0 -
Google Dr Rhonda Patrick for some of the intelligent insight into vitamin d.0
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Personal, anecdotal evidence. I was Vitamin D deficient even while taking a calcium supplement containing Vitamin D. I added a dose of Vitamin D to my daily routine. I really think it helps with my ongoing efforts to lose weight.0
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I started trying to lose weight again, about the same time that I found out I was vitamin D deficient. I started taking a supplement, and worked to lose weight. And, it fell off. I told myself it was water weight. But, I'm thinking most people don't have 20 pounds of water weight.
I kept at it. I got frustrated with swallowing pills in the morning. I kept taking my MS meds, but stopped taking the Vit. D. And, I didn't stop losing, but, it definitely slowed. And, it seemed I had more variation in the scale, day to day. I weigh daily. So, I started the supplement back up, and the scale started moving faster, and more consistently downward.
I understand weight loss =CICO, but I think there is a lot of variables in how many calories go out for each person. I don't think a vitamin d supplement is a magic pill. But, if your body has the nutrients it needs, it makes sense that things would work better. My weight loss has been "easier" with the right amount of vitamin D. My mood has improved, and I have SO much more energy. Maybe that's all it is, more energy=moving more=number on the scale moving down. But the point is, that's kinda my goal for being here.0 -
kportwood85 wrote: »I understand weight loss =CICO, but I think there is a lot of variables in how many calories go out for each person.
Boom, right there. This is why I always cringe at all the CICO arguments. "Weight loss is simple - just eat less calories than you're burning!" CI is much easier to measure. CO is vastly different for EVERYONE! A vitamin D deficiency very well might be slowing your weight loss down. It may not be slowing down someone else.
Good luck!0 -
I take Synthroid and have for about a dozen years, since I turned 40. I'm taking Vit D about as long.
An overactive thyroid can fix itself, but not an underactive one. Do you know what your levels are?0 -
I have been taking a Vitamin D supplement for years - its the "Sunshine" supplement, and I live in Canada, and winters are cold and dark. And long. And miserable (though this year, not so bad)
Throughout all this time, I have been both over weight and proper weight. My experience is that it matters not a whit with this particular supplement.0 -
Hi there. I had very similar height, weight, calorie intake, and vitamin D stats.
I have been on supplements for 5 months. I notice less fatigue during the day, less interrupted sleep at night, better muscle coordination during exercise and better recovery. Edited to add that menstrual cycle became more regular as well.
I didn't however notice any increase in weight loss as a result of supplementing. I was logging both before and after supplementing.
The free meals might be causing the maintaining vs losing. What do you think?
Also a heart rate monitor like you use set up with proper height, weight, age etc. can be pretty accurate determining calorie burn, but even with using one, I try to only eat back 1/2 or less of my exercise calories and set my activity level to sedentary to account for any food measuring/logging errors I might have made. Do you eat back all those calories?
Any potential food allergies/ sensitivity that could be causing bloat/inflammation? That might be a bit of a reach but if nothing else pans out it might be worth looking into.
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I lost my most weight in the beginning of my weight loss journey...with having a ( unknown) Vitamin D deficiency.
I lost about 70 pounds in about 3 to 4 months
After the first months discovered the deficiency and had to start the Vitamine D and lost the rest of my weight.
No difference at all.....what so ever.
But i just kept my deficit over time and worked out.
And yes it is all about CICO always!...but circumstances can slow you down. Like Tyroid issues, lack of sleep etc. But the outcome still is the same
When you want to lose a pound you need to eat 3500 on average less.
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