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Treating Vitamin D Deficiency

quincy

By quincy
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

quincy Contributor
quincy
Posted

Has anyone had success with Vitamin D therapy through a prescription dose of it? I went to a doctor who said that my numbers won't come up with 2200 IU's of D3 daily, that I need to do a therapy of 50,000 IU's a week for several weeks and then see how the numbers move. Several people I know have taken the prescription dose and have had success

I think this is the key to my healing as I have muscle aches, dizziness, and anxiety which are all signs of low D. I have been gluten free for about 4 weeks despite an accidental glutening which set me back a week.

any feedback would be great.

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mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

Has anyone had success with Vitamin D therapy through a prescription dose of it? I went to a doctor who said that my numbers won't come up with 2200 IU's of D3 daily, that I need to do a therapy of 50,000 IU's a week for several weeks and then see how the numbers move. Several people I know have taken the prescription dose and have had success

I think this is the key to my healing as I have muscle aches, dizziness, and anxiety which are all signs of low D. I have been gluten free for about 4 weeks despite an accidental glutening which set me back a week.

any feedback would be great.

That's what I did, then I switched to once a month, with tablet D every day. Levels are good now.

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

I've been taking Rx vitamin D (50,000 iu) weekly for over a year. My numbers went from 17 over a year ago to above 60 last month. I'm still taking it at the recommendation of my endocrinologist and gyn.

Looking for answers Contributor
Looking for answers
Posted

Do you live in an area with sunshine? If so, the best way is to get it naturally from the sun, because you can't overdose on it (of course, you don't want to let yourself get sunburned). I'm very fair skinned so I lay out on my deck for 7-8 minutes each side between the hours of 11-1 when the sun is at it's best (I've gotten all my information from Dr. Mercola). Because I can't always get it the sun, I also supplement with 4,000 IUs each day. The last time I check, my levels were perfect. I'm going next week to check them again. If you take supplements, you'll want to check them frequently because it can build up in your fat and become toxic.

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

do some research, the Rx Vitamin D is D2, the preferred (active form) is D3...and i have also read that oily is better (gel caps)....1000 IU per 25# of wt. daily.

quincy Contributor
quincy
Posted
  • Author

Do you live in an area with sunshine? If so, the best way is to get it naturally from the sun, because you can't overdose on it (of course, you don't want to let yourself get sunburned). I'm very fair skinned so I lay out on my deck for 7-8 minutes each side between the hours of 11-1 when the sun is at it's best (I've gotten all my information from Dr. Mercola). Because I can't always get it the sun, I also supplement with 4,000 IUs each day. The last time I check, my levels were perfect. I'm going next week to check them again. If you take supplements, you'll want to check them frequently because it can build up in your fat and become toxic.

I live in the Northeast and I crave the sun. Summer is when I fill up on D but it goes right back down during the winter. This winter has been especially tough since developing the celiac reactions that I am now seeing.

I knew I was very low on D before they ran the test. The depression and anxiety have been horrible.

thanks for the feedback. I realize that it is D2 rather than D3. I will try it for a few weeks and see if I feel better. I don't think there is a prescription grade D3 to my knowledge.

I use LabCorp and their reference range is 32 to 90 I believe. I came in at 16.4.

My concern is that D is fat soluble, and I am having a hard time digesting anything fatty, even omega 3 fish oil. It gives me extra trips to the restroom.... any thoughts on that would be interesting as well.

John

Lgood22573 Rookie
Lgood22573
Posted

I've been dealing with that for two years. Every time I go, I end up with another Rx for 50,000 IUs a week. Usually for 3 months then a recheck. A doctor told me to just start taking 4,000 IUs daily. I do, and haven't had a problem since.

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quincy Contributor
quincy
Posted
  • Author

I've been dealing with that for two years. Every time I go, I end up with another Rx for 50,000 IUs a week. Usually for 3 months then a recheck. A doctor told me to just start taking 4,000 IUs daily. I do, and haven't had a problem since.

thank you for that bit of info as this will be my strategy if the 50,000 Rx is not effectual. most of my GI discomfort comes from the duodenum area. did anyone's GI discomfort subside more readily once the Vitamin D levels came up? I imagine once the inflammation goes down and the villi extend it should subside also..

thanks.

gary'sgirl Explorer
gary'sgirl
Posted

I live in the Northeast and I crave the sun. Summer is when I fill up on D but it goes right back down during the winter. This winter has been especially tough since developing the celiac reactions that I am now seeing.

I knew I was very low on D before they ran the test. The depression and anxiety have been horrible.

thanks for the feedback. I realize that it is D2 rather than D3. I will try it for a few weeks and see if I feel better. I don't think there is a prescription grade D3 to my knowledge.

I use LabCorp and their reference range is 32 to 90 I believe. I came in at 16.4.

My concern is that D is fat soluble, and I am having a hard time digesting anything fatty, even omega 3 fish oil. It gives me extra trips to the restroom.... any thoughts on that would be interesting as well.

John

Just thought I would address the problem with digesting fats. It could help you to take a digestive enzyme every time you eat. I would look for one that tells you how many grams of carb, fat, and protein that it will breakdown.

Your doc likely won't know too much about it, but you could ask. It's really common to have problems with your pancreas - which is the organ that helps to produce enzymes to break down food - with celiac diseas/gluten intolerance.

Personally, I was having trouble no matter what I ate and it really helped me to take a digestive enzyme.

I have been having trouble with Vit D too, so I'm going to keep an eye on this thread and see what info people come up with.

Hope you feel better soon!

kayo Explorer
kayo
Posted

My vit D level was a 17 (if I remember correctly). I just finished my 6 weeks of 50,000 IU weekly and now I take 1000 per day. I'll be going next week for blood work to see if the numbers have come up. Mt b12 was fine but in the past that was low requiring b12 shots. My bone density test showed signs of osteopenia so I really need the calcium and vit D to come up. Is there a way to test calcium levels?

sb2178 Enthusiast
sb2178
Posted

kayo,

what i remember from research was that we depended on 24 hour urine collections to see how your body was doing with calcium absorption/release. Go off the supplement for one week, then collect for a full day, and if it's over a certain amount you're either not absorbing or have some hormonal imbalance that causes you to release... PTH and serum calcium can also be checked, I think.

somewhat vague memories.

good luck

Korwyn Explorer
Korwyn
Posted

Has anyone had success with Vitamin D therapy through a prescription dose of it? I went to a doctor who said that my numbers won't come up with 2200 IU's of D3 daily, that I need to do a therapy of 50,000 IU's a week for several weeks and then see how the numbers move. Several people I know have taken the prescription dose and have had success

I think this is the key to my healing as I have muscle aches, dizziness, and anxiety which are all signs of low D. I have been gluten free for about 4 weeks despite an accidental glutening which set me back a week.

any feedback would be great.

I get my blood work done every three months. My D was one of the really severe imbalances. After 6 months of 6,000 IU of D3 a day my Dr. upped me to 8,000 as my D level were still below normal, though improving. At 2,000 IU a day my level was at 18. At 6,000 it was 28. 30 is the low end of 'normal'. This has really helped my fatigue.

I'll be getting rechecked in July so it'll be interesting to see where it is then.

quincy Contributor
quincy
Posted
  • Author

I get my blood work done every three months. My D was one of the really severe imbalances. After 6 months of 6,000 IU of D3 a day my Dr. upped me to 8,000 as my D level were still below normal, though improving. At 2,000 IU a day my level was at 18. At 6,000 it was 28. 30 is the low end of 'normal'. This has really helped my fatigue.

I'll be getting rechecked in July so it'll be interesting to see where it is then.

very interesting. so at my current 2200 IU's a day I might only maintain my low number of 16. thanks for that. It seems like we need more to get to normal then. Thanks!

quincy Contributor
quincy
Posted
  • Author

Just thought I would address the problem with digesting fats. It could help you to take a digestive enzyme every time you eat. I would look for one that tells you how many grams of carb, fat, and protein that it will breakdown.

Your doc likely won't know too much about it, but you could ask. It's really common to have problems with your pancreas - which is the organ that helps to produce enzymes to break down food - with celiac diseas/gluten intolerance.

Personally, I was having trouble no matter what I ate and it really helped me to take a digestive enzyme.

I have been having trouble with Vit D too, so I'm going to keep an eye on this thread and see what info people come up with.

Hope you feel better soon!

thank you. I appreciate it. I bought some Enzymes from Lame Advertisement.com a few months ago when I didn't know I had celiacs. I purchased the NOW brand of enzymes. I read somewhere that the Betain can be a little harsh on your stomach. My Endoscopy showed inflammation in the stomach and lower part fo esophagus, so if you have any further input on a particular brand of enzymes I will look into this further. I really need the omega fats because my HDL/LDL ratio is inverted to the bad side....

TrillumHunter Enthusiast
TrillumHunter
Posted

I just had mine checked, and it was 15.7 (32-100). The dr ordered 50,000 IU three times a week for the next six months. That seems like a lot in comparison to some of you.

newgfcali Rookie
newgfcali
Posted

I just had mine checked, and it was 15.7 (32-100). The dr ordered 50,000 IU three times a week for the next six months. That seems like a lot in comparison to some of you.

Trillum - I had mine checked and it was 18. My doc put me on 50,000 IU once a week for 8 weeks, then 2000 iu/day for a few months, which is what I'm doing right now. Haven't rechecked levels yet.

50,000 three times a week sounds extraordinarily high... :blink:

vbecton Explorer
vbecton
Posted

I've done the D3 50,000 IU weekly treatments and they weren't as helpful as the 5,000 IU daily treatments. We didn't know I was Celiac until 5 weeks ago (although it was suspected), so now that I'm gluten free, hopefully my numbers will increase.

In case anyone needs this info: You don't need an RX for 50,000 IU D3. You can order directly from BioTech at 800-345-1199.

Korwyn Explorer
Korwyn
Posted

I just had mine checked, and it was 15.7 (32-100). The dr ordered 50,000 IU three times a week for the next six months. That seems like a lot in comparison to some of you.

Wow. It is, but perhaps he is concerned about osteo issues since low D not only inhibits calcium uptake but actually can accelerate bone mass loss.

TrillumHunter Enthusiast
TrillumHunter
Posted

I just mailed the script off this am. I think I'll double check with her before I start it.

It's funny. I've been asking for a bone scan since I was diagnosed, but they keep refusing because they say insurance won't pay.

And to think they told me "just don't eat gluten and everything will be fine." :rolleyes:

thleensd Enthusiast
thleensd
Posted

And to think they told me "just don't eat gluten and everything will be fine." :rolleyes:

HAHA! <_< *sigh* Yeah..... totally understand. Good luck... Let us know how it goes. I recently finished up 6 weeks of 50,000 once per week. Brought my levels up from 18 to 59. Just trying to figure out my maintenance dose now. Going to try 2500/day and get retested soon. Now I'm thinking I want to be closer to 80. Still have struggles with fatigue...

Make sure they test your calcium too.

quincy Contributor
quincy
Posted
  • Author

HAHA! <_< *sigh* Yeah..... totally understand. Good luck... Let us know how it goes. I recently finished up 6 weeks of 50,000 once per week. Brought my levels up from 18 to 59. Just trying to figure out my maintenance dose now. Going to try 2500/day and get retested soon. Now I'm thinking I want to be closer to 80. Still have struggles with fatigue...

Make sure they test your calcium too.

may I ask which RX of D you were taking? this one doctor prescribed the D2 but I understand the D3 is the better one to take...

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

may I ask which RX of D you were taking? this one doctor prescribed the D2 but I understand the D3 is the better one to take...

Good question. We have had a couple of discussions on this. See, for example:

The cholecalciferol seems to be the preferred choice.

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      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

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