Vitamin D deficiency- but taking supplements?

[greenpunk]

I have had some blood tests done by the GP to try and diagnose my chronic pain and other symptoms (bone and joint pain, nausea, stomach pain, weakness, tingling, rashes, chronic migraine, poor circulation, chest pain, fatigue etc.) and all were normal, except for 35ng/ml vit d.

And now I'm just feeling really pathetic, because if it is just a slight vit d deficiency that has left me more or less housebound for 4 months, then I've just been making a fuss about nothing really.

What's concerning me most though is that I am taking supplements with 100% NRV of vit d, surely this should be enough?

[Bevvy]

Any vitamin deficiency can have a HUGE affect on our health. Friends son has had low mood for a number of months leaving my friend extremely concerned. Just discovered he is vitamin deficient and now taking a supplement for what lacking in. She says difference is amazing.So really really don’t feel “pathetic”.

We often are low in vitamin D in uk due to lack of sunlight. It may be worth talking to your chemist about supplements. Often we think taking recommended amount but information on bottles can be misleading…. Especially if taking multi vitamins as opposed to specific individual vitamins.

[kev60]

hi, I had a few tests for cancer(all clear) but they found I had almost no vitamin D was put on 80000 unit per day for 7 days to get my levels up and now take 1000iu per day to keep my levels up, I to suffer from pain abdominal chest and spine no answers as yet but have been diagnosed FND, COPD, GORD and Artheritis . am on paracetamol x8 per day and was on nefopam and morphine these have now been stopped and i am on a pain patch still under investgation for this, i hope you find the help you need

[cyberbarn]

Certainly a low level of vitamin D will make all those things worse, but it doesn't mean to say that low vit D is actually causing them all. So if you feel a bit better, that is great, but don't assume that that was all that was causing your symptoms. Many things don't show up in blood tests, they are just the start. It s like picking the easy fruit first. For instance, blood tests don't show all the different types of arthritis.

And stop feeling pathetic and like there's nothing really wrong. You are not making a fuss about nothing!

If you vit D levels are that low you should be getting vit D prescribed by your GP. So ask for that, and then ask what is the next stage to find out what is going on. For example, what are the rashes like? Psoriasis? That can go with joint pain.

[Bevvy in reply to cyberbarn]

When I have had low vitamin D I’ve been told to purchase it myself and that is no longer available on prescription. Years ago I WAS prescribed it but not these days.I am now taking it every day throughout the year. Used to take it only in winter. But this year due to rubbish summer have decided to keep taking it.

[cyberbarn in reply to Bevvy]

It depends on both what level the vit D is and also the rules for your area which can vary. For instance 35ng/ml is considered insufficient, whereas less than 30 is considered a deficiency. It also depends on what is causing the insufficiency.

So it is worth finding out what happens in the area that people live in as the rules may be slightly different than national rules set by NICE.

[Rupertthebear]

I am not sure but when I stopped taking vitamin D it caused me depression become lethargic .

[bantam12]

You must have calcium and parathyroid tested, low vitd (although yours isn't that low) can be an indication of hyperparathyroidism and despite supplementing your body does it's best to keep it low because calcium is high, hypercalcemia can be dangerous. Your symptoms could be due to hyperparathyroidism so best to have the tests to rule it out but they may need doing several times as levels of calcium naturally fluctuate. If your calcium and parathyroid are high it's likely due to a parathyroid adenoma which would need to be removed.

[Jessen]

Ask your doctor to prescribe Vit D in liquid capsules. I had the same problem with the tablets, they upset my stomach, so my consultant prescribed Vitamin D orange flavoured sachets 50, 000mu per week. I didn't have any problem with them.

[sidsue]

hi I have fibromyalgia, degeneration of the discs in my back and Osteoarthritis..I take vitamin D, C..etc quite a few, for mood, bones and muscles and I find that although they might be helping, I am still in a lot of pain.. I have to buy them also, so take the necessary recommended doses...have a word with your pharmacist.. they will advise you.. Although you might be protecting further bones and muscles degeneration, you might, like me still be in pain. I am also on a lot of medication, for the pain..so the pharmacy will check if there is any cross over.. medication wise, there are some that you shouldnt take if you are on other medication..so it is always best to check..