Could Vitamin D be bad for us?

[Hilariew930]

With all the discussion of Vitamin D, does anyone know if taking extra in vitamin form Is good for us? Or, could it have a negative impact on us with autoimmune diseases? Vitamin D is touted as being great for the immune system, but could it make our autoimmune antibodies stronger also? I have been taking the drop form for a while on and off and someone posed the question to me, so thought I'd see what anyone else knows...

[paddyandlin]

Hi Hilarie,

I found this reaserch which shows taking Vit D helps

Correspondence to

Dr Yehuda Shoenfeld, The Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medicine B, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 52621, Israel; [e-mail]

Accepted 20 August 2010

Published Online First 27 October 2010

Next Section

Abstract

Background and aims Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by thrombosis, obstetric complications and the presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies such as anti-ß2GPI-Abs. These antibodies may set off the coagulation cascade via several mechanisms, including the induction of tissue factor (TF) expression. Vitamin D has recently emerged as an immunomodulator that might exert an anti-thrombotic effect. Therefore, we studied serum vitamin D levels in a cohort of APS patients, as well as the effect of vitamin D in an in vitro model of APS-mediated thrombosis.

Methods Serum vitamin D levels were measured in 179 European APS patients and 141 healthy controls using the LIAISON chemiluminescent immunoassay, and the levels were evaluated in conjunction with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. In an vitro model, anti-ß2GPI antibodies were purified from four patients with APS to evaluate the expression of TF in activated starved human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The effect of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, 10 nm) on anti-ß2GPI-Abs mediated TF expression was analysed by immunoblot.

Results Vitamin D deficiency (serum level =15 ng/ml) was documented in 49.5% of our APS patients versus 30% of controls (p<0.001) and was significantly correlated with thrombosis (58% vs 42%; p<0.05), neurological and ophthalmic manifestations, pulmonary hypertension, livedo reticularis and skin ulcerations. In vitro vitamin D inhibited the expression of TF induced by anti-ß2GPI-antibodies.

Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency is common among APS patients and is associated with clinically defined thrombotic events. Vitamin D inhibits anti-ß2GPI-mediated TF expression in vitro. Thus, vitamin D deficiency might be associated with decreased inhibition of TF expression and increased coagulation in APS. Evaluation of vitamin D status and vitamin D supplementation in APS patients should be considered.

ard.bmj.com/content/early/2...

[nyctapdancer]

i take 5,000 mg a day, plus a host of other supplements for inflamation. as a result, i need less coumadin. yay!

[Elisabeth]

My Vitamin D levels were on the floor, had a lot of pins and needles and pains in my feet and lower legs. Dr Hughes suggested i take very high does Vitamin D to improve my levels quickly and it seems to have taken away a lot of the problem in my feet and lower legs.

[Herb]

Its important for anyone on anticoagulants or steroids because they can lead to bone density loss. I have Calcichew D3 Forte on prescription.