Vitamin D level

[Physalis]

As it's quiet I would just like to slide my vit d level in. It's 152 nmol/L so that's an improvement on last year.

[Pita]

My Vit D was only 8nmol/L and very low Iron levels in June this year, had a blood test a couple of weeks ago Vit D is still low at 29nmol/L and Iron levels are still low, so a second course of Iron tablets and another 6 weeks course of Vit D at 50,000 strength.

[Physalis in reply to Pita]

Why are your levels so low? Are you anaemic? I presume that, like me, you don't go outdoors much. Is that 50,000 iu weekly?

[Pita in reply to Physalis]

Yes, I am Iron Deficiency anemic, have been on and off for years, had all tests and procedures done over the years to check. I can't sit out in the sun as I blister up, so can only do short bursts out in the garden. As for Vit D deficiency this year has been the worst, yes it is 5O,000 iu weekly, I will speak to my doctor once I have finished the course and see what he recommends for Vit D going through the winter months.

[CDreamer]

Are you taking a supplement? My last level was 94 but I’d like another test as I have been supplementing. I am wondering what to do about supplementing for osteoporosis as just been diagnosed and obviously Vit D is consideration.

[Physalis in reply to CDreamer]

When this all came up last year I had been taking Tesco's 12 Mcg or 500 iu tablets for years and thought I would be fine. A test showed I wasn't. On my current blood test results the levels are shown as>75 - 200 nmol/L optimal

50 - 75 nmol/L adequate for most people

25 - 50 nmol/L insufficient

> 25 nmol/L severely deficient may be associated with rickets/osteomalacia

I was in the insufficient group so in September 2020 I bought some of Amazon's vit D 1000 iu drops which are a steal at £11.99 for over a year's worth. I was taking 4000 iu a day but have recently cut it down to 3000 and maybe I will go down to 2000 iu . Now I notice that Tesco, and probably the other supermarkets too, are selling 1000 iu tablets at £5 for 96 tablets. Still good value at 5p a tablet.

[Auriculaire in reply to Physalis]

These are UK ranges and very low . 50 - 75 nmol/l is considered insufficient here in France and most of the rest of Europe. Your current level of 152 nmol /l is a very good level . If I were you I would not cut your dose lower than 3000iu. Especially in winter. The higher your level the better your protection against viruses .

[wilsond]

How do you get tested please ? Xx

[doodle68 in reply to wilsond]

Hi Wilson 🙂 I went here for a test to a reputable NHS certified laboratory.

monitormyhealth.org.uk/#

It cost about £30 which seems standard. I think for tests like this you need somewhere reliable.

[Physalis in reply to doodle68]

What was your level?

[doodle68 in reply to Physalis]

Hi Physalis 😀 it was 71 nmol/L last time I had a test and that was at the end of the winter . It has been down below 20 .

In the winter I take 4000iu of Vit D3 daily .

I became a vegetarian when diagnosed with P-AF which I think may have contributed to my deficiency.

[wilsond in reply to doodle68]

Thank you xxx

[Physalis]

You can get a test kit from Amazon or online. Otherwise you could ask for your vit d levels when you next have a blood test. Mine was because I was going to be given calcium supplements with vit d for osteopaenia.

[doodle68]

Although I have been shown to have an abnormally low vitamin D level in the past which affected my mobility and take VD3 on prescription (800iu) , my GP said it was not necessary to have regular blood tests for VD3 .

Neither did GP did approve of my taking a loaded dose of VD3 which I do every winter so I now get my own blood test if I think I need one . I last had one in the spring .

[Physalis in reply to doodle68]

What was your level last spring?

[doodle68]

Hi Physalis I don't know if you have seen this recent paper discussing Vitamin D3 levels , it is very interesting . mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/35... if you click on Download PDF it makes easier reading.

I am also including a link to a video discussing the paper.

youtu.be/V5g9AVqRsjo(Not working as expected?)

This is interesting

Traditionally living populations in East Africa have a mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of 115 nmol/l

cambridge.org/core/journa...