Vitamin D

[Gilly100]

The asthma nurse at Asthma UK suggested I have my Vitamin D levels checked as low levels can make your asthma worse. I have looked on the internet and there are various studies that state this. I take colecalciferol for my bone problems which has 10mg Vitamin D but there are articles saying that you may need more. Has anyone found taking vitamin D has improved their breathing problems and if so, what dosage do you take? I will see if I can have a Vitamin D test.

[Js706]

It’s definitely worth getting them checked!

Vitamin D levels are split into various groups, with the top two basically being “definitely ok” and “ok for most people”. They like people with lung diseases to be firmly in the “definitely ok” category!

I was borderline when I was last checked so was told to take 2000 units daily (not sure what that is equivalent to in mg) which I buy over the counter. But previously I had nearly undetectable levels and had to take 40,000 units a week for a couple of months to top it up.

The best thing is probably to get it checked and then ask your GP for advice on how much you need to take, if any. As if it’s too low they’ll want to prescribe higher doses than you can buy yourself

[PMRPete]

We both take "1000IU Vitamin D Supplement " each day which seems to have worked OK

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01...

[Wheezycat]

I was told the same, and when I had them checked I was definitely deficient ( not just low). I was prescribed some extra strong stuff which I took for three months, and then continued through the winter with over the counter ones, recommended by my pharmacist. About a year after it started my levels were fine, but I continue to take them as our sun isn’t strong enough for us to get vit D from it from about October to April. I can't say I noticed if it made a difference, but who knows, last year might have been harder if I hadn’t. The ache I used to get in my thighs when walking disappeared.