Can anyone advise. There has been mention in the news re Covid that vulnerable people should be taking vitamin D. Is it okay to take this vitamin as I know we have to be careful what we take with a diagnosis of CKD and also should it be D3 we take.
CKD and vitamin D : Can anyone advise. There... - Kidney Disease
CKD and vitamin D
You need to consult your Dr, you can't eat enough vitamin D to make a difference. Also be careful of taking supplements as too much vitamin D can be as bad or worse then too little, it needs to be measured.
As people in good health still contract Covid 19 there would be little point trying to boost your vitamin D levels to increase your immunity.
Simple rule of thumb is to be careful and take all possible precautions, always.
Jules, firstly we can only advise you from our experience but we can’t recommend what you should do personally as we are not doctors and our bodies all respond differently to our health conditions and to their treatments.
In my case, with a sole kidney, CKD3b, eGFR varying between around 37 to 42 at last few recordings, my nephrologist recommends 1,000iu Vit D3 daily BUT for 3 months of the winter only. His reasoning is that when we take a Vit D3 supplement, it allows more calcium from our dietary intake to be absorbed into our bodies. If that calcium builds up it can lead to hypercalcemia resulting in the formation of calcium crystals/grit or kidney stones.
My very first Vit D blood test some years ago showed a deficiency at a level of 39. The winter supplement increased it to the 80’s and then I was advised to get out in the sun in the summer months to maintain that level.
Perhaps, in your case, you could ask your GP or nephrologist for a blood test to check your levels initially and then go from there.
I would like to see everyone taking a Vit D supplement having their calcium levels checked periodically, but that’s in a perfect world!
It would be interesting to hear how you get on, and lots of good luck wishes to you meanwhile.
I think that the solution to this is to take Vitamin D3 with Vitamin K to prevent calcification, and you can indeed buy this. It's a government recommendation that people supplement with Vitamin D in winter. I also note that in the daily mail the Government is now going to provide vitamin D to care homes to reduce covid severity. It's no coincidence to me that the virus died down in the northern hemisphere over summer and has now come roaring back in winter, now everyone is back indoors at work or school.
Everyone should just be aware that even Vit K, or any other over-the-counter meds, should first be checked out for any interaction with existing meds being taken - for instance, Vit K should not be taken by those on blood thinners.
Thanks for all your advice guys. Lots to consider. Sadly here in the UK it is not that easy to get in touch with my nethrologist, I have to wait for my 6 monthly phone appointments
Is that because the UK has socialized medicine? I am just curious. Thanks.
I'm not sure what you mean by socialist medicine bridge. Do you mean medication is free on prescription from the NHS. If so it is free for over 60's which I am but they mostly tell us to buy over counter if it's not prescription only
I was wondering why it takes 6 months to see your doctor, so I thought maybe UK has socialized medicine meaning paid for and run by the government. In the US, you can have a visit with your doctor sometimes the next day, same day if symptoms are bad. Specialists is a different story. I am afraid we might be headed that way (socialized medicine) in the US.
I have 6 monthly appointments booked with my specialist (which is NHS National Health Service), which is government run. I can book an appointment with my GP (general practitioner) on same day or week, which is also NHS. Although they obviously do not necessarily know too much about CKD. Unless you can afford private health care the majority of people here in the UK use NHS, which all working people pay into.
Everyone’s body is different, get a blood test done and check your vitamin D levels, you may need more Vitamin D, your numbers may be stable or you may already have too much Vitamin D, discuss your blood test results with your doctor and decide if a supplement is good for your body.
Agree with other posts that is important to check with your Doctor before you take supplements. I am at CKD 3b. Based on blood work results vitamin D3 2000 IU is prescribed.. Plus age might be a factor.
Thanks everyone. I will make sure I discuss with my nethrologist at my next phone app next year
Hi there, as others have said and I'm sure you know already; a chat with the doctor is always best before taking tablets.
Although sheilding at present, I aim to get outside each day, when it's quiet as I hear, sunlight is a good source of vitamin D. Yes even our winter sunshine. Many foods are also good sources. Liver, oily fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna) egg yolks, mushrooms etc... The nhs have a page that gives more info.... nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-...
Little and often is my motto.....
Hope you find some useful info....
Best wishes, Mgt
Thanks for advice Mgt I will check out website. I am getting a 20 walk in on weekdays picking up my grandson from school so maybe a little sunshine on the way
Yes sunlight and some foods are great sources of vit D. With CKD the kidneys do not convert into usable portions which is why we often are lacking. Those on dialysis should have levels above 40. Mine often drop below 10 yet my calcium levels are always low to low normal. This shows how very individual we are. Dont run to take supplements without first getting blood work and consulting your own physician.
Blessings
Personally I'm not sure doctors will know too much, particularly as there's plenty studies for and against vitamin D re kidney stones. I think they'll therefore hedge bets by saying avoid or minimise. But the risk of covid is higher for people with D levels below 75 nmol/l according to recent studies.
My mum (1 kidney) supplements at ~3000iu/Dy with K and achieves around the 75 mark with testing. We realise the risk of stones so plan to get oxalate levels checked as that is a factor along with susceptibility.
Thanks for reply userotc. I agree doctors never like to commit themselves do they.
I take D, E, and a baby aspirin per day on advice of my doctor. I have stage 3 CKD and have scarred lungs from a case of double pneumonia that put me in ICU. BUT, you should ask for the advice of your personal physician.