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Vit d

SarahFerguson profile image
28 Replies

I've come across at lot of people saying they have vit d def with PA is this common. I've had pa for 4 yrs and never has Gp checked my vit d? Should I be taking supplement. On another note I also have vitiligo.

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SarahFerguson profile image
SarahFerguson
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28 Replies
Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

I wonder if the fatigue caused by B12 deficiency means people are indoors more and get less sunlight?

There is a UK Vitiligo charity.

vitiligosociety.org.uk/

Have you asked GP to check your Vitamin D levels?

Recent BMJ article said children/adults in UK should be taking Vit D supplements in autumn/winter.

bmj.com/content/354/bmj.i4061

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support

Hi SarahFerguson I've had P.A. for 45 years and was only diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency last year.

I think that as Sleepybunny says it's more down to lack of exposure to the sun as it is now not P.C. to sit and get "browned off" without either covering up or plastering oneself with high factor sunscreens.

Another consideration is that as we get older our ability to "manufacture" Vitamin D decreases until as in my case it's virtually zero so I'm on supplements permanently.

Do get yourself checked - along with your Folate level.

fbirder profile image
fbirder

Note that the BMJ article and the recent government advice both state 10 ug (400 IU) a day is the recommended amount for the general population. This isn't easy as most supplements seem to follow the 'if some is good, more must be better' doctrine so popular with Big Vitima and espoused by many online.

Marz profile image
Marz

VitD is a steroidal pro-hormone and there are receptors for D3 on all the cells of the immune system - so one would assume they are there for a reason. It is also anti-inflammatory in its actions. You may wish to view the best of the many research papers from 2015/16 in the link below ...

orthomolecular.org/resource...

grassrootshealth.net/media/...

The above link takes you to a disease prevention chart. If you have your VitD result then divide it by 2.5 to have a comparable result for the chart above from the US.

gov.uk/government/uploads/s...

The above link is a copy of a letter sent out to ALL medical practitioners to increase awareness of those in need of VitD testing.

When taking larger doses of VitD is has been suggested other things should be considered. VitD increases the uptake of calcium from foods - so you do not want this lurking in the arteries - so taking VitK2 MK7 will direct the calcium to bones and teeth. Also Magnesium is a co-factor.

You need to know your level so you can dose accordingly ....

4000/5000 IU's daily is considered a reasonable dose.

SarahFerguson profile image
SarahFerguson in reply to Marz

Thank you, I've got appt with Gp on Tues 14th to discuss - i hope they know their stuff on vits cause B12 info they certainly lack!

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to SarahFerguson

They may well lack knowledge on VitD - from what I have observed over the years on the Thyroid Forum 😊

You can obtain Home Testing kits from City Assays in Birmingam. Website of the same name. Think it is around 28 GBP 's. Self treating is also inexpensive and possibly better as Docs rarely prescribe enough to raise levels.

I believe Vitiligo is auto-immune. Do you also have a thyroid issue ? - just a thought.

Hope you find the above links helpful ....

SarahFerguson profile image
SarahFerguson in reply to Marz

I have had thyroid checked and was told ok. My Dad had Vitiligo and was colourblind red and green - as am I, all autoimmune. I have noticed that a lot of people with PA refer to vit d and other co-factors - so was worried that I could be deficient .

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to SarahFerguson

Do you know what was checked for your thyroid ? You are entitled to copies of all your test results. When docs say you are *fine* - they mean in range. Where you are in the range is key - a bit like B12. They often only test the TSH which tells you VERY little. You also need the FT4 & FT3 tested along with Thyroid anti- bodies to rule out auto-immune Thyroid - Hashimotos.

Maybe worth requesting copies next time you are at the surgery ....

Petaq profile image
Petaq in reply to Marz

My holistic thereapist has given me 10000 iu a day but she hasnt said anything about Vitk2 MK7. How much should I be taking and is there a natural, organic source?

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to Petaq

I take 100mcg. Research for one on an organic site I think would be best 😊

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

"had thyroid checked and was told ok"

My experience is that it's difficult to get any thyroid tests on NHS other than TSH.

Link to Thyroid UK website

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index....

I learnt to get copies of all my blood tests rather than accept being told results were fine/okay as when I got copies I found abnormal results (outside range) or borderline results.

I think it is one of these issues that Public Health England has decided to raise awareness of. I know a lot of people who have been told they are low or deficient in Vit D, none of whom have PA..It may just be coincidental that GPs have started testing it and telling people to take supplements.

SarahFerguson profile image
SarahFerguson in reply to

Interesting. I was seeing a dermatologist a few yrs ago because of my vitiligo, I'm sure he mentioned a blood test for Vit d, I can recall he said he'd write to my GP with instructions, but I didn't hear anything... it would be interesting to ask the question as to whether GP received a letter from dermatolgist !? Ummmm I wonder !?

Petaq profile image
Petaq in reply to SarahFerguson

Vitilligo is caused by a managanesium deficiency natural-health-and-healing-...

My holistic therapist has fixed mine with biotitte mica beads.

Petaq profile image
Petaq in reply to Petaq

Inded, I have been surprised at how many of out problems are due to low managanesium. This thread drcarolyndean.com/magnesium... is a link to a very I trusting page that describes just how bad managanesium deficency can be drcarolyndean.com/magnesium... It seems like many of my symptoms are caused by low mangnesium

Petaq profile image
Petaq in reply to Petaq

Sorry wrong link in first bit healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

SarahFerguson profile image
SarahFerguson in reply to Petaq

What's that?

Petaq profile image
Petaq in reply to SarahFerguson

Magnesium can be absorped thrugh the skin. Biotitte contains managanesium so wearing it next to the skin lets it be absorbed so that it fixes all the things that low mahpgnisium causes

Anxiety and Panic attacks- Magnesium (Mg) normally keeps adrenal stress hormones under control.

Asthma- Both histamine production and bronchial spasms increase with Mg deficiency.

Blood clots- Mg has an important role to play in preventing blood clots and keeping the blood thin-much like aspirin but without the side effects.

Bowel disease- Mg deficiency slows down the bowel causing constipation, which could lead to toxicity and malabsorption of nutrients, as well as colitis.

Cystitis- Bladder spasms are worsened by Mg deficiency.

Depression-Serotonin, which elevates moods, is dependent on Mg. A Mg-deficient brain is also more susceptible to allergens, foreign substances that can cause symptoms similar to mental illness.

Detoxification- Mg is crucial for the removal of toxic substances and heavy metals such as aluminum and lead.

Diabetes- Mg enhances insulin secretion, facilitating sugar metabolism. Without Mg insulin is not able to transfer glucose into cells. Glucose and insulin build up in the blood causing various types of tissue damage.

Fatigue- Mg-deficient patients commonly experience fatigue because dozens of enzyme systems are under-functioning. An early symptom of Mg deficiency is frequently fatigue.

Heart disease- Mg deficiency is common in people with heart disease. Mg is administered in hospitals for acute myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmia. Like any other muscle, the heart muscle requires Mg. Mg is also used to treat angina, or chest pain.

Hypertension- With insufficient Mg, spasm of blood vessels and high cholesterol occur, both of which lead to blood pressure problems.

Hypoglycemia- Mg keeps insulin under control; without Mg episodes of low blood sugar can result.

Insomnia- Sleep-regulating melatonin production is disturbed without sufficient Mg.

Kidney Disease- Mg deficiency contributes to atherosclerotic kidney failure. Mg deficiency creates abnormal lipid levels and worsening blood sugar control in kidney transplant patients.

Liver Disease leading to liver failure- Mg deficiency commonly occurs during liver transplantation.

Migraine- Serotonin balance is Mg-dependent. Deficiency of serotonin can result in migraine headaches and depression.

Musculoskeletal conditions- Fibrositis, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, eye twitches, cramps and chronic neck and back pain may be caused by Mg deficiency and can be relieved with Mg supplements.

Nerve problems- Mg alleviates peripheral nerve disturbances throughout the whole body, such as migraines, muscle contractions, gastrointestinal spasms, and calf, foot and toe cramps. It is also used in treating central nervous symptoms of vertigo and confusion.

Obstetrics and Gynecology- Mg prevents Premenstrual Syndrome; prevents dysmenorrhea (cramping pain during menses); is important in the treatment of infertility; and alleviates premature contractions, preeclampsia, and eclampsia in pregnancy. Intravenous Mg is given in obstetrical wards for pregnancy-induced hypertension and to lessen the risk of cerebral palsy and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Mg should be a required supplement for pregnant mothers.

Osteoporosis- Use of calcium with Vitamin D to enhance calcium absorption without a balancing amount of Mg causes further Mg deficiency, which triggers a cascade of events leading to bone loss.

Raynaud’s Syndrome- Mg helps relax the spastic blood vessels that cause pain and numbness of the fingers.

Tooth decay- Mg deficiency causes an unhealthy balance of phosphorus and calcium in saliva, which damages teeth. Material excerpted from Dean, Carolyn. The Miracle of Magnesium (2003 Ballantine Books: New York, NY), 2003. pp. 5-7.

SarahFerguson profile image
SarahFerguson in reply to Petaq

Wow that's impressive thanks

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to

I have posted the link above about VitD from the Chief Medical Officer ....

SarahFerguson profile image
SarahFerguson

Wow so much to take in my head is spinning! When I was diagnosed with vitiligo no one has ever mentioned Magnesium def! Not even dermatologist!

Steap profile image
Steap

Just had my vit d checked and it came back at 14.5ng/ml and I'd been taking 3000iu daily for a while. Hopefully now my b12 is up and once I get my D sorted things should begin to improve.

I too read a lot of people can get low d if they have low b12. That's why I had it tested.

There seems to be some confusion over what is a deficiency/insufficiency.

I was already on 3000iu daily and the lab Dr suggested 2000iu daily for three month to raise it. Based on that I'd be taking less than I already was so I just added the 2000 and take 5000. I'm also taking the k2 too.

Karenthehair profile image
Karenthehair

Will a full blood count find your vitamin D levels? I'm asking for one at the GP visit next week.

SarahFerguson profile image
SarahFerguson in reply to Karenthehair

I don't think so.

Karenthehair profile image
Karenthehair in reply to SarahFerguson

Really? Seems silly that, I thought a full blood count looked at everything going on in the blood? Will research it before going in, thanks Sarah.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to Karenthehair

It is a test you have to request - just like B12 - Ferritin - Folate. They are not included in the FBC.

Maga1 profile image
Maga1

Hi Sarah,vitamin d is probably caused in my case of lack of sunlight but I beleive with any autoimmune problems wee are less likely to absorb our vitamins as wee should and unfortunately I have thyroid problems and pa but it was after my pa disanoses my vitamin d showed low so yeah id say u could be right its the absorption is the problem

SarahFerguson profile image
SarahFerguson in reply to Maga1

I will be asking for my vit d check on Tuesday next week! I can't deal with anymore, I was a healthy 44 year old 4 yrs ago, now I'm a pill popper and junkie - lol start self injecting my loopy juice b12 today!

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