Vitamin D

[Anneeileen1]

Hello just had my usual blood test and they have shown up a very low vitamin D I've been put on supplement .could this be due to PBC as never had before all my joints have been really painfull and had a job to walk some days .

[Hidden]

Hello Anneeileen1.

Yes we can have certain vitamin deficiencies due to PBC as certain ones that are fat soluble in particular (like D is) can be more problematic to absorb.

If you are in the UK it is said that even perfectly healthy folks without any health issues can have lower Vitamin D due to our lack of sunshine here. I was found to have a lower Vitamin D just after diagnosis and the consultant mentioned in his letter to me but said he wasn't at the time recommending any supplements. I wasn't sure what his 'bit low' meant so rang his secretary to ask if she had a reading in numbers. She sent me the print out of the bloods and I saw the Vitamin D reading that was on the normal line.

I did before diagnosis in Dec 2010 work in a job where I went in early morning before sun up for the day and then was coming home at sundown, had done for many years. I was never a sunlover but after being informed Vitamin D was 'a bit low' I decided to sit in the sun for lunch, etc whenever I could and at a recheck 2011 I was found to have perfectly normal levels. I do this now each year.

I don't take any vitamins nor minerals and been diagnosed with PBC for over 5yrs. I did have a slightly lower iron (ferritin) reading a few years ago but had a short course of iron tablets and been fine ever since (I had a recheck last yr).

Vitamin D is to do with bones and that is more than likely why we can have achy bones or more prone to apparently develop osteoporosis with PBC. But saying that I think if you are female and gone through the menopause (I am fingers crossed I have completed mine, started 3 years ago - fortunately been with lack of symptons really) then we are more at risk as woman are at risk even if healthy. My dentist asked me to now go in for check-ups at 6 monthly intervals as opposed to the annuals ones I started having pre-PBC (I started itching early 2010, that is how I was diagnosed with PBC). He did say last year that with having PBC (he did take time to read up about it) and my age (I am almost 52) and female I have what he said, 'probably a double whammy' (more prone to teeth and bone problems now).

[Anneeileen1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for reply peridot my vitamin D level is very low so hopping tabs will work x

[Hidden]

VitaminD defeciency does seem to be common with pbc, I had very low levels and was put on 20,000iu 3 times a week for 3 months and it made a big difference to the bone pain I was getting. I continue now with 1000iu daily prescribed by the GP and have this checked 6 monthly.

[butterflyEi]

I had my vitamin D level checked. It came back adequate after a 4 week sunshine holiday just before winter so I have continued to take a vitamin D in spray form. This was self diagnosed so I will take a break from the vitamin D during the summer months.

Also after a chance remark to the GP she had Vit B level checked and it was very low so have just finished a course of 6 injections from the GP and will now have one every three months for life.

best wishes

[hello808]

Interesting you all have the same deficient as me (I haven't been provided with a positive diagnosis yet). I have noticed my joints have been hurting in the elbow area on both arms, particularly with the right one. I haven't injured it in anyway, just hurts to use and lift things for last few weeks now.

[Anneeileen1]

Thanks for your replies I've just started my supplements so hope my legs and hips improve soon x

[Hidden]

pbc? Not sure what that stands for?