Vitamin D

[buddymac48]

Why are people with liver problems often deficient in vitamin D.

[Bolly]

Most people in the northern hemisphere, with or without liver problems, are deficient in Vitamin D as we get it from the sun and need bare skin to absorb it. With our modern day indoor lives, using sun block so we dont get skin cancer, we just dont get enough! Thats why the food industry is now adding Vitamin D3 to food. Its Vitamin D3 by the way, cholecalciferol, not Vitamin D2 that we are talking about. It seems severe liver damage also leaches calcium from our bodies, and taking calcium is recommended. Vitamin D3 helps absorb calcium so supplements available as tablets like Calcichew have both calcium and Vit D3

[buddymac48 in reply to Bolly]

Thank you for your reply, sorry for my ignorance in this matter but learning more as I go along Iam taking Fultium-D,800 iu colecalciferol x2daily as prescribed have been on these for some months so from your information this is vit 3, what is the difference between vit 3 and vit2,i don't know if it is lack of sun or liver problem that iam having to take this.

[Bolly in reply to buddymac48]

Hi buddy. The Fultium D sound fine for the Vit D3. 1600iu daily is a good dose to take. Did you have your level checked by a doctor before starting these or are you buying them over the counter?

If you get the prescribed Calcichew product, you get the benefit of the calcium as well.

My gastroenterologist told me it was standard to put people with cirrhosis onto calcium supplements (he never mentioned Vit D3, but the Calcichew that my GP prescribes me has both calcium and Vit D3).

[buddymac48]

HI I had my level checked by my doctor, for vit D twice don't know how long you can take these or if my levels can improve again on there own, not sure about calcium if I need to take them or not , thanks Bolly.

[Bolly in reply to buddymac48]

I think you can take the supplement for ever. If you stop the supplement and can't either move to a sunnier climate or spent quite a few hours each day all year round outside in the sun, which is unlikely in the UK, the level will drop again. You would be best asking your specialist about the calcium, have you cirrhosis I can't remember. If yes, you should have a Dexa bone scan and your bone density measured as well as calcium levels.

[buddymac48 in reply to Bolly]

Thanks Bolly I have a fatty liver and Gallstones, hate that name Fatty Liver. Under the G.P.

[Bolly in reply to buddymac48]

You can give it a medical name instead buddy. Either NAFLD or steatosis. :0

[dianekjs]

Hi, in addition to a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in the general population, most autoimmune diseases are associated with marked vitamin D deficiency. D3 is more bio available than D2, but my research, physician recommendations, and personal experience over the years suggests the dosages mentioned here may be too low. Many people will need 5,000 IU/day to raise serum levels to an optimal 40 -70 ng/ml. Some experts contend that those of us with autoimmune challenges may need to aim a little higher still. I reference Mercola only very selectively, but this happens to be a very good discussion of vitamin D: articles.mercola.com/sites/...

And incidentally, good old fashioned sunshine on large areas of bare skin, sans sunscreen, is important - in moderation and not at high noon, of course.

[buddymac48 in reply to dianekjs]

Thank you for your reply everyone is so helpful, I will read the article with interest,thanks