Just received vit d results - 78.8 Nmol/l. This is reported as adequate. Still have very sore and stiff joints should I increase vit d

[lila2]

[PinkNinja]

I would be very careful about increasing vitamin D. If you are going to continue to supplement, don't go for high doses.

Have you looked at other possibilities? Making sure you have good levels or iron, ferritin, folate and B12 is also important. If you are taking anything containing t4, it is also a good idea to make sure you are getting enough selenium (but not too much).

In my case some of the joint pain was a vitamin D deficiency; particularly my feet and ribs. Part of it was also the fact that I was very hypo on levothyroxine and also the build up of the t4 because I don't seem to use it.

Sorry I couldn't be much help

Carolyn x

[Denne in reply to PinkNinja]

Sorry to but in but how do u know that u have a build up of t4, am convinced I do not convert to t3 myself,trying to explain to gp to test all 3 levels, there's no need TSH is within guid lines he repeats red faced ,I know there's a gene test for hereditary which I'm sure that's where mine comes from back tracking history,tried to get an appointment with a endo today privately couldn't even get that they say I need a gp referral ,am at a loss.

[PinkNinja in reply to Denne]

For me it was trial and error. Every time I increased my thyroxine I felt worse and every time I reduced it I felt more hypo but my joints were better. I used to be prescribe T3 years ago as my GP at the time thought it would be better for me than levo (don't know why - rather unusual for a doctor to do this) and I felt very well. As soon as the senior partners decided I had to have levo I went down hill. Joint pain was really bad.

I was better on NDT than levo but couldn't get to a high enough dose without getting the joint pain and other stuff. Now on T3 only and it's gone.

[Denne in reply to PinkNinja]

Did u ask gp to change your meds

[PinkNinja in reply to Denne]

Yes. He agreed but was told he couldn't prescribe it. I am having to fund it myself

[Denne in reply to PinkNinja]

Wish I could find. A decent doc....

[Hidden in reply to Denne]

Hi Denne, if your budget will run to it why don't you have a private blood test for TF4 and FT3 to see where your levels are at. If your hunch is right and not much of the T4 is converting to T3, surely your doctor will have to take notice and might even agree to giving you a referral letter to your endo of choice.

[molliemdz in reply to PinkNinja]

Actually 15 min in the sun gives you about 50,000 IU of Vit D. I'm not a doctor, so I can't tell you what is safe for you, but I can tell u that my dad's gastroenterologist told him that he takes 15,000 IU of Vit D a day, in perfect health, so if you up your dose a bit, you're probably fine. My own doc recently put me on 20,000 IU/day, short term, to help me get over a virus (but I take 5000-7000 IU a day normally, and my blood tests in the 'normal' range, versus 70-90% of the UK population who test as Vit D deficient, depending on the time of year tested).

More importantly, I would also check if you're getting enough calcium & magnesium -- AND consider eliminating nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines, and all forms of peppers, including cayenne, paprika, & any seasoning mixes containing any kind of pepper, except black/white pepper which are ok) from your diet for 2-4 weeks, and see if your joints feel any better. A lot of people experience inflammation and/or joint pain due to eating nightshades. There is a link between autoimmune illnesses and sensitivity to nightshades (& other foods; common ones are gluten, dairy, eggs... but it is very individual which foods affect you. To really understand it, you would need to do a complete elimination diet, preferably with medical guidance). So many thyroid sufferers have autoimmune conditions at the root of their thyroid issues that I thought it worth mentioning. Do you also have any digestive issues -- frequent bowel motions, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, cramping? You don't have to have all of them, but any of them can be symptoms of irritable gut, which is linked to leaky gut, which is linked to autoimmune illnesses and all kinds of inflammatory issues, including arthritis and joint pain.

Maybe give it some thought. Try googling 'Autoimmune Protocol' and/or 'Autoimmune-Paleo', do some reading, and see what you think. Best of luck!

[PinkNinja in reply to molliemdz]

Getting your vitamin D through sunshine is the best way because, once your body has enough, it switches off production so there is no chance of overdose. Of course, in the UK that isn't always possible! I guess we all need to go somewhere sunny

There have been studies that suggest that, although high dose vitamin D helps relief symptoms of autoimmune disease and the accompanying inflammation, it can cause the disease to progress more quickly. This is why it is important not to take high doses unless prescribed and not long term. Your doctor sounds very sensible though, prescribing your high dose short term

In the UK, 4-6 minutes in the summer sun gives you around 1000 iu, so 3,000iu for 15 minutes. I wouldn't be surprised if it was much more than this in nicer climates though Some Norwegian scientists have created this online calculator which is quite interesting.

nadir.nilu.no/~olaeng/fastr...

I heard that about nightshades too. I have a friend who found that they made her joints so much worse. It doesn't cause that with me but she noticed it very much!

I know your recommendations are for the original poster but I think I will read them too. Sounds interesting. Thanks

Carolyn x

[lila2]

Thankyou all for your replies, my b12 is 800 folate iron etc is good, I suppliment with selenium and vit k along with the vit d. Gp tested t3 which was at upper level tsh 0.9. I am feeling well in general but joint pain and stiffness getting worse .

[molliemdz in reply to lila2]

Yes, please see mine, too, just above at the moment.

[Jackie]

Hi You might like to read my answer On D further up this page, today`s forum.

Jackie