Vitamin D Question

[mouse]

The new Reumotolgist that I went to a couple of weeks ago, ran some blood tests on me. They called last week and said that my vitamin D was low and they phoned in an RX for it. I took one last Wednesday, then Saturday and I have to wait for tomorrow to take another. I noticed a little more energy the first time I took it and then on Saturday I had more energy then the first time. It only lasted one day and today I am utterly whipped and am getting ABSOLUTELY nothing done. I can't wait until I take the next one tomorrow as I am hoping the energy lasts a little longer. Maybe enough to play catch up. I am taking 50,000 units each time. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES BEFORE IT STAYS in me. I am to take these twice a week for 6 weeks and then another blood test. I have to have some energy tomorrow to get dressed and go in for the Osteoporsis test.

[Ursa Major]

I was tested to have low vitamin D a couple of months ago as well. I don't know why you have to take those specific pills. I bought Carlson's cod liver oil (apparently the best on the market) which doesn't taste bad (they put lemon in it) and take two tablespoonfuls a day (twice the recommended normal dose). That gives me essential fatty acids as well as lots of vitamin D and vitamin A. Personally, I think this is better than vitamin D pills, and is probably absorbed easier, too.

I wonder if you could take that as well?

[mouse]

I see the same doctor next week and will ask him about the Cod Liver Oil. My Mom used to give it to me daily as a child. I was a sickly little bugger - now we know why. I thought it tasted Yucky, but will do whatever it takes to give me more energy. I like this new doctor as he and his PA know something about Celiac and even test often for it. They don't know everything, but seem to be willing to learn. Between the two of them I spent over two hours with them and they never once glanced at their watches . To bad they are a drive and a half away from me. If I could only bring my GP up to their level of knowledge on this disease.

Thank you Ursula for posting.

[jerseyangel]

Armetta--Just want to tell you that if you go with the Carlson's Cod Liver Oil, the taste is really not bad at all. If you took it plain (unflavored) as a child, this is nothing like that--just kind of a light lemon flavor--not fishy at all.

Ursula--I always look forward to reading your posts--you're so well informed!

[mamaw]

Am I the only one with to much vit D? The doc told me not to take extra vit D or go out to much. I told him I only get my Vit d in my multi vit & min. He didn't make a big deal or ? but I still to this day wonder how come I have to much Vit D. I wish doctors would learn to put info pieces together instead of just fluffing bits off here and there.

Of course that would mean the docs would have to put forth some effort. I'm beginning to believe that there are only a handful of caring doctors in the U.S. My luck I haven't found one in my neck of the woods...

mamaw

[GlutenFreeAl]

That's funny because I have the opposite problem - I'm vitamin D deficient and my doctor didn't tell me what to do about it.

This is how our conversation went:

Dr: "Your vitamin D levels are very low. Take a calcium supplement with Vitamin D."

Me: "I do. every day."

Dr: "Oh. Well in your case I would not recommend sun exposure because you're too fair."

THANKS FOR THE HELP, DOC!!!

Does anyone have a gluten free D supplement (or Calcium and D) that they would recommend??

[prinsessa]

There are Cod Liver oil pills you can take if you don't like the taste. I buy them for the kids because they love them (they like to chew them). You could also try to get a little more sun which is the way your body makes Vit D. I don't know if you have dark skin or not, but I have heard that peole with dark skin have more problems with Vit D deficiency especially if they live somewhere that there isn't a lot of sun.

[Carriefaith]

Salmon is an excellent source of vitamin D. This site says that a 4 oz seving of salmon will give you more than 100% of your daily value of vitamin D:

Open Original Shared Link

Here is a link to foods that are high in vitamin D:

Open Original Shared Link

[Ursa Major]

Am I the only one with to much vit D? The doc told me not to take extra vit D or go out to much. I told him I only get my Vit d in my multi vit & min. He didn't make a big deal or ? but I still to this day wonder how come I have to much Vit D. I wish doctors would learn to put info pieces together instead of just fluffing bits off here and there.

Of course that would mean the docs would have to put forth some effort. I'm beginning to believe that there are only a handful of caring doctors in the U.S. My luck I haven't found one in my neck of the woods...

mamaw

Mamaw, it is almost impossible to have too much vitamin D, especially if you don't take mega doses of it. Your doctor is ill informed. If he really believes that the 'daily recommended dosages' the government tells you are necessary for good health are all you need, than he ought to be shot (just kidding). The recommended dose for vitamin C is so low, that it barely keeps you alive, never mind actually being well.

It is healthy (and actually even necessary for health) even for fair skinned people to get at least ten minutes a day of sunshine on unprotected skin. That should give you just enough vitamin D in the summer, but in the winter (unless you live in a warm, sunny climate all year round), you really need to supplement. The vitamin D you get in your calcium supplement is not enough.

Your body can't make too much vitamin D just by being outside. And actually, an upper, toxic level has never been established. With some vitamins you can definitely get too much, like vitamin A. With others, you just excrete any excess, without doing any harm.

Here is a link, and this is an excerpt from this page: Open Original Shared Link

* Vitamin D (ie, cholecalciferol) is present in most dairy products, egg yolks, liver, and fish.

o RDA is 400 IU for persons older than 1 year.

o Supplements usually are 400 IU per tablet.

o Acute toxic dose is not established, and chronic toxic dose is more than 50,000 IU/d in adults. In children, 400 IU/d is potentially toxic. A wide variance in potential toxicity exists.

o Vitamin D increases serum calcium levels by facilitating calcium absorption and mobilizing calcium from bone.

Now, to actually get 50,000 IU a day, you'd have to take megadoses of vitamins (you wouldn't be ABLE to get enough sunshine and take enough supplements for that, I don't think).

Here is another excellent link, with a great quiz:Open Original Shared Link

[mamaw]

Hi Ursula

Yes the doc flat out told me I have way high levels of vit D in my system. I challenged him to figure out why and how I got this way. I'm fair skinned and in my younger years redheaded with freckles. I don't spend a great deal of time in the hot weather between noon and three so I again challenged him to find out how this could be. I always thought I didn't get enough sun because it doesn't go well with me. I turn red in two seconds and even with transition lenses (get darker in sunlight) and a pair of sunglasses My eyes just go crazy. I have never heard of to much D either.I have rosacea of my face and neck area so that's another reason I stay out of the sun so I'm really baffled by having to much D.

I now days do not put much stock into what doctors say because I don't think they care about people , theyjust want to make a living and if they can keep you coming back they are getting rich .They mask the problem by giving drugs to cover -up the real issue instead of repairing the issue.

I was dx'd about 3 1/2 years ago with Lou Gerhig's disease. At that time I said I don't have that and the doc patted me on the back and said reality will set in and I have it. It's a terrible disease with a life expectancy of 3-5 years and most don't get to that point . MOst are with feeding tubes and in wheelchairs by before 5 years. I'm still walking, talking, and eating just fine. I still say I don't have this . I'm 85% better since going gluten-free and when I tell the specialist this he laughs at me and shakes his head in disbelief..

Oh well so much for my faith in the medical community....

mamaw