A vit D quandry..

[sandi]

In October I had a vit D result in the low 40s and my GP initially said to supplement myself otc at 1000iu a day. I thought about it, posted on here getting really useful replies (as always ) and when I saw her a week or so later I raised the fact that even gpnotebook, her favourite site, suggests this only as a maintenance dose and really I wanted to get it up to nearer 75 which it suggests is optimum.

She agreed and even prescribed a high dose for me of 20000iu a week.

This was for twelve weeks and herein lies the quandary. I have now finished the course but cannot have a repeat blood test until six months is up (stupid NHS rules!!) so do I:

a. reduce to the maintenance dose for the next three months until I get it tested again?

or

b. buy high dose Vit D otc and continue at same level until blood test?

or

c. not take anything until I've been retested?

I don't want to overdose but equally I have felt a little better especially emotionally and have actually been virus free for over ten weeks - yippee! (the latter is probably why I have felt better!)

Any thoughts v welcome!

[Fruitandnutcase]

I've just done a blood spot Vit D test - the information was on the TUK site. vitamindtest.org.uk/

It cost £25, I rang up and ordered it, it arrived next day, I did the test and posted it back and results came a day later.

You get a complete kit with something to draw blood - basically instructions telling you exactly what to do, a couple of little punch things that held the needle you use to pierce the side of your finger, I can't believe how hard it was to get four drops of blood out, a little card that you put four drops of blood on, a little antiseptic wipe and a return envelope

I had been supplementing since July when I was refused an NHS test. I started on a 1000 spray and when that was done I bought a 3000 spray. I got a huge amount of sun in the summer especially when we went abroad in September and I tend not to wear sunscreen, but I do wear a hat and don't ever get burnt, anyway I wasn't sure whether to stop supplementing before being tested or not but the person I spoke to said to do the test and see what the results were then I could decide from there.

When my results came back my VitD was high but nowhere near the danger level so I suspect I must have been pretty low in the first place.

Can definitely recommend them.

[Hidden in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Agree - get tested then you know where you are and can supplement accordingly. Do you feel better?

It is very hard and uncommon to overdose (and it's usually due to low magnesium & K2 - Dr Myhill site has good info for one) but best test just to make sure J

[sandi]

Thanks for that info. It seems very reasonable at £25 if a little painful!. Do you know if GPs will accept the results from it as obviously I would like to be able to use the results in the future with my GP as well as knowing my level now for my own purposes?

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to sandi]

I don't know, it looks very reputable though. You get a print out with your results - have a look on their site - the report you see is similar to what I got back. I'm not sure I will bother telling my doctor.

Must go look up Dr Myhill's site now

[helvella in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Most certainly is reputable - it is, after all, an NHS lab!

I did tell my doctor,who had just had a short course on vitamin D, and agreed with exactly what I had done!

Rod

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to helvella]

Believe me I was really impressed with their service. Unbelievably straightforward and I though it was a good price. I just couldn't be bothered begging any longer and took matters into my own hands.

[Hidden in reply to sandi]

Yes mine did take notice of my NHS lab printout, couldn't argue really "I suppose we'll see more of this" (but I'm not worth spending on - 'just go to boots')

The test gets easier for me as the blood flows better now! lol!

If you have any problems just quote the Chief medical officer of England/Wales/Scotlands' letter to all GPs about risks of low Vitamin D - has he/she read it? (link on my profile I think) J

[Fruitandnutcase]

SO much better - but I also supplemented my B12 at the same time - I was 'within range' 327 (211 - 911) but as my mother had injections for pernicious anaemia I decided to supplement anyway, I used Jarrow's sublingual Methyl B12, six months later when I was tested again my B12 was up in the seven hundreds so I was pleased.

I am just constantly astounded that doctors can settle for 'within the range' when you look at how huge those ranges are and you might have just scraped in.

I would rather they just said 'Sorry, the NHS can't / won't afford to fund you but it might be an idea to supplement yourself' than just say you are within range and send you away.

[Hidden in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Glad you're feeling better (me too!) who'd have thought Sunshine would have such a significant effect?

Gotta watch that B12 - I've been reading that up to half of us are probably deficient (esp with family links) - I was low range too (although I was already supplementing so annoyed at myself for not knowing how low before - but 3 GPs refused tests... - until I did the Active one & put a printout on the desk!)

have a look on my profile for the 1930's B12 video - very interesting - btw injections are only 68p and they are still unwilling to give them (despite B12 being water soluble and excreted) grr! J

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Hidden]

No wonder we all feel better when the sun shines.

[lucylocks]

Hi

Myrios.co.uk are doing a finger prick postal Vit. D test for £19 at the moment.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to lucylocks]

That's a great price too.

[Clutter]

I was under the impression that testing was 3 months after initiating supplementation. My GP has requested another repeat blood test for supplementation commenced in November. I had a repeat test 31 Dec but results have never been forthcoming. I wonder whether lab refused testing?

Why not request a repeat prescription and if refused take a maintenance dose of 2,000iu daily until the next test.

[sandi in reply to Clutter]

I think it should be according every three months BUT these NHS labs seem to make up their own rules locally that GPs can't get past!

It was a one off prescription I was glad to get. The GP isn't allowed to prescribe if level inadequate only if deficient - under 25. She sort of bent the practice rules when I stood my ground, her argument being I am ill anyway. I think quoting her fave GP website also was persuasive! But she made it clear it was only one twelve week course.

I just felt it would be best to have some measure of what the high dose course had achieved. This pinprick test sounds good - if can get the blood out!

Have you felt benefit of supplementation?

[Clutter]

Its hard to tell for sure because I made a number of other changes around the same time. I'm inclined to think yes, along with the other changes.