The significance of vit D in autoimmune disorders - with a special mention of lupus

[PMRpro]

This link

reconnet.ern-net.eu/event-a...

was posted by someone on the PMRGCAuk forum and I thought you might be interested in seeing it too.

It is quite scientific but the lupus mention is towards the end if you want to skip the complex stuff.

[Lupiknits]

Fascinating! Thank you.

In my very naive early days I couldn’t understand why they even tested my VitD ( which I have now learned is actually a hormone). I googled a bit after Rheumy kept telling my GP to prescribe loading doses, but didn’t connect it to a connective tissue disorder of any kind.

When the scientist explained how the sun could help in, say, psoriasis, my heart sank. No! I can’t take the sun! However, taking it orally seems to be OK.

Just got to remember it 😏

[Telian]

Interesting - it’s also important not to take too much Vit D supplement- hubby was prescribed it as his levels were low and he doesn’t sit in the sun - he’s now been taken

off it as he has enough in his body to last 2 years! according to GP - clearly a lesson learned to ensure it’s only taken for a short time as is getting bloods checked - again something we were naive about. Thanks.

[PMRpro in reply to Telian]

How much was he given and what did it get to?

[Telian in reply to PMRpro]

Am vague about it now with so many other things going on - sure it was 20,000 per day - don’t know the level it reached.

Will ask next time see doctor - what should normal readings be?

[PMRpro in reply to Telian]

Ideal is above 50ng/ml I think, range of 40-80 ng/ml is OK. Below 20 is deficient

[Telian in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks pro

[NeuronerdDoaty]

I’m glad you posted this. When you take the wrong D supplement it changes in your body so that you get very little benefit. It’s not doing what you think it’s doing. I’m glad you posted.

Being very light skinned, unable to go in the sun, and unable to take omegas I found cod liver oil my best bet.

It’s much more complicated than marketers want us to believe, isn’t it?

Thank you again for sharing your knowledge.

Doaty

[AimeeA]

You can also try to get more in your diet. I now make sure to eat oily type fish such as salmon and tuna 2 or 3 times a week. sardines too but I don't care for those myself. Mushrooms are high in D so a half cup sauteed and eaten with steak or in eggs is great too!

[PMRpro in reply to AimeeA]

It is difficult though - only about 10% of the required vit D can be got from diet and some foods high in vit D are also high in vit A and eating large amounts of them may lead to too much vit A in the diet which can be dangerous. And the mushrooms must be UV-irradiated to increase the D3 level.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[AimeeA]

I take vitamin D supplements daily, but it never hurts to try to eat a healthy diet and get your nutrients from food sources. Oily fish also have Omega 3 fats which are very good for you too.

[Hidden]

Interesting. My former island GP refused to test my vitamin D levels even though I had Hashimoto’s and RA diagnosed at the time and was flaring like mad. So I had myself privately tested and result was bottom of insufficient - around 24. This was at the end of a really good summer and despite my very fair skin. I was also pretty low mood at the time - about 2013

I saw GP and he grudgingly agreed that he should have tested me and added that my calcium was at the low end too. So I started AdCal D3 and have been prescribed it ever since. I asked the CTD clinic for my Vit D to be rechecked with B12 in April and it was around 68 I think so okay.

Significantly, since taking the daily AdCalD3 I’ve never again had fully blown RA symptoms nor have I suffered since from depression. Maybe just a coincidence but worthy of note at least.

[PMRpro in reply to Hidden]

I don't think it is coincidence - in many a/i disorders topping up the vit D can help a lot even when it isn't a cure. There has been too much assumption that being in the sun is enough - without taking all the other factors into account.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

I’ve never been good in sun - love the look of it and the warmth as I do. I have always worn sun hats and sun cream and sought the shade - yet still I’ve managed to acquire a sun damage form of pre malignancy on my lips. So I think some very fair people like me are probably prime candidates for D deficiency too despite dark skinned people being the more obvious candidates.

And no I don’t think it’s coincidence either. X