Vit D question

[debbymcc60]

Along the terrible route that led to me being told I had Somatic Symptom Disorder, I saw a neurologist because of reported Cerebellar Ectopia, they found me to be Vit D deficient. They wrote to GP saying I should be prescribed Vit D and then have a repeat test after approx 6 weeks to exclude parathyroid problems (can't remember exact time frame) so I took it and went back for repeat test. I heard nothing about results so made an appointment to ask GP . It turned out it hadn't been tested. He said it wasn't necessary, and was expensive. He said just keep taking tablets. I tried to say that I'd only had it done because Neurologist recommended it. Anyway that was before I knew that my thyroid antibodies were high and the previous Graves acknowledged by ENT. What is the connection between Vit D and Thyroid disease? I'm very confused. I have the recommended Endo list from Louise, but have no faith in myself or any doctors. Seriously feel on the brink of a massive meltdown and even trying to talk to anyone seems impossible

[bluebug]

Vitamin D testing is not expensive especially if it's done with other vitamin and mineral tests.

The reason your GP refuses to do the test at is that:

1. Vitamin D levels rise really slowly. So in a 6 week period if you are lucky your level would have risen by about 5 points from the supplements unless you have been outside in the sun everyday for a few hours without sunscreen as well.

2. You are not in one of the groups who the Chief Medical Officer of England states it should be done for as a priority.

3. Loads of people in the UK are vitamin D deficient or insufficient unless they are taking supplements.

I know from my friends and family who specialise in treating children, that children are tested every 3 months. However due to the cost adults are screen every 6 months even if they fall into the severely deficient category. The best practice after that is if you were found to be severely deficient you should be screen every year. This doesn't happen as the NHS cannot afford it.

[debbymcc60 in reply to bluebug]

Thanyou that's helpful, so is there no connection to longstanding Thyroid disease?

[Clutter in reply to debbymcc60]

Debbymcc60, vitD deficiency doesn't cause thyroid disease if that's what you are asking. Good levels of vitD can aid conversion of T4 to T3 which is one reason members are advised to check vitD levels. The other is that thyroid patients often have low ferritin, vitD, B12 and folate. Correcting low/deficient levels aids absorption of thyroid medication and improves well being.

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[bluebug in reply to debbymcc60]

There is a link between autoimmune diseases e.g. Hashimoto's, type 1 diabetes, MS and vitamin D deficiency, however the link is not clear. Generally those with an autoimmune disease are found to be vitamin D deficient.

[debbymcc60]

Thanks so much Bluebug and Clutter. Iv continued to take it as advised. As I have Graves mainly my symptoms have been hyper, more recently subclinical hypo, but feeling overactive intermittently. I know the parathyroids are nothing to do with thyroxine but wondered why the neurologist asked for a repeat test.

[humanbean in reply to debbymcc60]

Taking vitamin D supplements has the side effect of raising calcium levels. Calcium levels are controlled by the parathyroid glands in some way that I've never investigated. So, (I'm guessing) if your parathyroid glands aren't working well you might end up with too much calcium in your body. And perhaps (I really am guessing!) if you take too much vitamin D your calcium might increase to unhealthy levels,

If or when your calcium levels go up you want any extra calcium to deposit itself in your bones and teeth, and not in your arteries or heart or brain. The way to help that process along is to take vitamin K2 supplements (it's important that it is K2 and not K1) along with the vitamin D.

It would be helpful for us to know what your vitamin D level was, and what dosage of supplement you are taking or was prescribed.

[Rebec]

I asked one of the GPs about testing my Vit D (as I had it checked before) and he dismissed this as a modern craze. He told me that some time ago, people were worried about magnezium! And with that I left the surgery!

Proper levels of vit D protects us from many diseases, MS among them.

Not everyone's skin can produce this vitamin, following sessions in the sun, and unfortunately, I'm one of them. In my case, it's connected with thr parathyroid glands.

[debbymcc60]

Well yea it's certainly odd , my adult daughter, my sister and myself were all told last year we were deficient, all separate tests at separate locations for separate reasons. So the craze must be amongst drs because none of us asked specifically for it

[humanbean in reply to debbymcc60]

I suspect you were tested because of this government advice (assuming you are from the UK).

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