Vitamin D: I just had a vitamin D test that... - Thyroid UK

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Vitamin D

rigge profile image
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I just had a vitamin D test that showed Insufficiency at 27 ng/ML

Anyone else have this ?

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rigge
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97 Replies

A few weeks ago I was diagnosed by my endo as being Vitamin D deficient with 30 nmol/L (which apparently converts to 12 ng/ml). I've been put on 1000 units of colecalciferol per day. My GP will follow up in 90 days to retest. He said thyroid problems and Vitamin D deficiency are linked.

Have you also been put on vitamin D pills?

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to

Did you mean 1000 or 10,000 ?  I do not think 1000 will raise your levels very much.  VitD is fat soluble so take with your main meal or with good fats .....  Are you taking VitK2 too ?

in reply toMarz

Only 1000. I thought it was a very low replacement dose.... I do take it with my main meal as that's advised on the bottle, but thanks for checking that.

No, I'm not taking Vit K2. Should I be for D deficiency?

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to

Yes it is important to take K2 as taking VitD can improve the uptake of Calcium from foods.  This will remain circulating in the blood stream without good levels of K2 - which will direct the calcium to the bones.  Calcium in the arteries ? - not a good idea .... !

grassrootshealth.net

You can see from the above chart the suggested dose of D3.  Also a good website with a Newsletter that can keep you updated on VitD and the research.....  On the same website is a chart indicating the levels required to prevent so many serious conditions ....

catalonia13 profile image
catalonia13 in reply toMarz

I asked my GP about K2, she knew nothing about it! glad I've seen your comment as it's reminded me to look it up again 

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tocatalonia13

Maybe because Docs do not have the time to keep up to speed !  I take 200mcg of K2 by Now .... I buy it on-line.  Some D3 sprays also contain K2.

catalonia13 profile image
catalonia13 in reply toMarz

thanks Mark, I'll get some, it could be that she is  not up to speed but I'm losing faith in my GP completely, she didn't even bother to tell me when the hospital wrote to her to tell her I was Coeliac! :(

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tocatalonia13

I think most of us that have found wellness have been very much on our own.  Am afraid its all about reading as much as possible and taking control.  Hope you are keeping well ....

catalonia13 profile image
catalonia13 in reply toMarz

I agree Marz, thank god for the internet and groups like this! I'd like to say I'm well but annoyingly, since going gluten free for past month my tiredness/lack of energy/sleeping to much has increased! :(

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tocatalonia13

How are your levels catalonia - both thyroid and Vits and minerals ??

catalonia13 profile image
catalonia13 in reply toMarz

I only know of the Vit D being low Marz, (and I am IgA deficient) thyroid was ok last time it was checked (about 6 months ago) they haven't checked anything else as far as I know

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tocatalonia13

Hi catalonia -  are those levels OK by your GP - or by you ?

lambrusco21 profile image
lambrusco21 in reply tocatalonia13

Hi there. This sounds very much like gluten withdrawal. Gluten contains wheat which contains opiates, so withdrawing from gluten as in going gluten free is the same as withdrawing from opiates. I am unsurprised at your signs and symptoms. It is a horrible experience.

lambrusco21 profile image
lambrusco21 in reply tocatalonia13

Thi is unacceptable to say the last. What kind of a world are we living in now?

sidneymark70 profile image
sidneymark70 in reply toMarz

Please can you tell me what online website you use to buy your vitamins online Marz

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tosidneymark70

Amazon is usually good and competitive on pricing.  Good supps are worth paying for as they do not have nasty cheap fillers in them.  Also look out for any sensitivity causing ingredients - like soya - wheat - lactose and so on .... it can be a minefield.

sidneymark70 profile image
sidneymark70 in reply toMarz

Thanks Marz, the whole business of having an underactive thyroid is a minefield isnt it? Just dont understand why the medical profession dont make it a priority for our sakes aswells as theirs, as I believe they'd save lots of money. So many other illnesses like depression (in lots of cases) are down to the thyroid.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tosidneymark70

...because the current medical model is not about the wellness of the patients - but about making money.  Am sure there are excellent Docs out there who are totally unaware the system is running them - rather than the other way around.  I do not blame them for being unhappy in their work when their hands are tied with so many regulations and Guidelines.  Sadly they seem to be interpreted as RULES - that keep people poorly ....

lambrusco21 profile image
lambrusco21 in reply toMarz

I am taking warfarin so Vit K2 would not be good for me. What can I do as I am prescribed adcal D3 1 x twice a day. I also take Natures OWN vIT d  supplement 5,000 i.u every two days.  

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tolambrusco21

...maybe do some research on K1 and K2.  I think it is only K1 that is involved in the blood clotting mechanism.  Topping up your Adcal is good as there is not enough D3 in them.  I think that Adcal also contains calcium which I have read is not such a good thing to have floating around in the arteries.  Taking VitD improves the uptake of calcium from foods and K2 directs the calcium to the bones.

Joannab17 profile image
Joannab17 in reply toMarz

I've not been told to take k2 ? What is it ? X 

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toJoannab17

healthunlocked.com/search/v...

The above link will take you to earlier posts on K2 which you may have missed ....

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker in reply to

Go to this link vitamindcouncil.com  for safe up to date doses, (old vitamin doses were apparently set back in the 1930's.)

Roadrunnergreg profile image
Roadrunnergreg in reply to

When mine was that low, I was put on 20,000iu a day for 2 months, to get it to near where it should be about 90 hope that helps as a guideline. Should be able to get them from your doctor on prescription I do, especially if you have thyroid problems too with exemption certificate UK 

carer999 profile image
carer999 in reply toMarz

My prescription is only for 800 units. What dosage of vitamin k should be taken? Also does the amount of vitamin k vary according to the vitamin d dosage you take

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tocarer999

You need more than that for the maintenance dose - around 2500IU's at least.  Try to read the website I posted above for required doses according to results.  K2 by Now comes in 100mcg capsules and I take one a day. 

catalonia13 profile image
catalonia13 in reply to

my GP said "the lab wont' retest for another year"  the specialist who picked up the Vid D being low advised my GP to prescribe 20,000 a week for 8 weeks then to go on some thing else  but my GP has just given me  another 8 weeks of the 20,000 ?!

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tocatalonia13

You must have been very low indeed .....  don't forget to take the D3 with fatty foods or the main meal containing good fats.  Coconut Oil maybe ?

Starfish123 profile image
Starfish123 in reply tocatalonia13

Hi,

Mine came back at 12 so I was given 800x4 a day for 3 months.  During this time I was tested every 4 weeks, no problem with the lab but it did not go to the normal lab.  I was living in Cambridgeshire at the time and it was sent to Norwich, not the 2 hospital labs close by.

I took k2 and a probiotic and managed to get to 58.  I now take when I feel the deficiency, foot pain and general bone pain.  It definitely helps the pain but I wish it would improve the fatigue.....

Auntyp62 profile image
Auntyp62 in reply toStarfish123

Like you mine was low, l blamed symptoms especially fatigue on my hypo. My GP gave me 800 x4 a day for 3 months and retested and it was 50, he then put me on maintenance dose of 800 a day........I read up and changes to 5000 a day with k2 to raise it further as my research informed me it was better to get closer to 100 and low and behold the fatigue is improved

catalonia13 profile image
catalonia13 in reply toStarfish123

I am in Norwich Starfish!, I'd assume my tests go there but GP said the lab won't re-test Vit D for a year, I sometimes think she makes it up as she goes along, it doens't make sense, why wouldn't they re-test to confirm levels ok, or not?

Starfish123 profile image
Starfish123 in reply tocatalonia13

Wow, the labs on the doorstep for you yet it out of reach also, that's just not fair.  My testing was in 2013 and I had 4 tests 1 before treatment and then 4 weekly for 12 weeks.  Either see another doctor or have you thought about ringing the lab and asking their policy on vit d testing?  At least then you will have a second opinion or heard from the horses mouth.  I hope you get some results.  My doctor at time of testing had not had to treat anyone for vit d3 deficiency so was looking up the guidelines at that time, maybe your doctor hasn't either?

whispers profile image
whispers in reply to

Is it vit D2 or vit d3 that you have been given?

in reply towhispers

My prescription is for D3.

sidneymark70 profile image
sidneymark70 in reply to

My GP told me just to take an ordinary Vitamin D (25 u? g - well thats what it has on the packet dont understand that) per day because of my Vit D deficiency. So what is colecaleciferol please? Is this different? He didnt tell me about Vit K2 - should I just take that anyway. Oh dear this is a minefield. My GP is really nice and helpful up to a point but, as has been said many times, GPs do not have much training in Thyroid problems.  Any advice would be very gratefully received.  

rigge profile image
rigge in reply to

I have been put on a daily vitamin supplement and am to be retested in   6 months

rigge profile image
rigge in reply to

I live in central New York in the snowiest city in the United States. My test was taken in January.  Do you think that has anything to do with it ?

Granny56 profile image
Granny56 in reply torigge

Yes, we need the sun to convert vit D into a useable form. Once diagnosed with a deficiency, most of us will need to supplement vit D in winter months.

rsridhar220962 profile image
rsridhar220962

Vit D is a derivative of cholesterol. When our body deprived in Cholesterol, how can we expect Vit D to be normal?

Our doctors tell us not to consume saturated  fats, still they insist us to undergo Vit D test.

It is totally conflicting in concepts.  

Pastille profile image
Pastille in reply torsridhar220962

Sorry to jump in on this but just interested in what rsridhar220962  has said. Are my high cholesterol levels a sign that my vitamin D levels 'should' be okay. I will still get tested of course but just curious about this??

rsridhar220962 profile image
rsridhar220962 in reply toPastille

One of the benefits of cholesterol, is conversion of cholesterol to Vit D using sunlight. So for VIt D to be produced there are 2 raw materials needed. 1) Cholesterol and 2) Sunlight. If any one is missing we won't be producing Vit D. If cholesterol is less and exposed to sun, our skin gets TANNED. So tanning of skin also indicates presence of less cholesterol. Vit D is called Calciferol, Chemical structures of Vit D and Cholesterol are almost same.

Secondly, Vit D3 Produced by our body is having S (Sulfur) Bonding, which is missing while taking Vit D3 as supplement.

Pastille profile image
Pastille in reply torsridhar220962

 Thankyou for your reply :) 

SusansT profile image
SusansT

Yes. Doctor will rescribe a boost dose for a while on prescription then you have to do a maintenance dose for ever, unless you change your lifestyle and spend much more time outdoors. I've been on it for about 3 years. It makes a difference as vit d deficiency has similar symptoms to hypothyroid - tiredness especially.

Granny56 profile image
Granny56 in reply toSusansT

I spent much of my time outdoors and in sunny climates ( work related), nevertheless my Vit D level was only 9 ng/ml. I was treated with 20,000 per week until my level reached 47 (lower end of normal) then discontinued as my C peptide level increased and endo said this was conflicting.

My symptoms improved greatly by the third week on vit D, especially the pains in the soles of my feet which I thought were due to arthritis. My mother-in-law, a sun worshipper, had similar complaints and could hardly walk without a rollater. When checked her vit D was very low and she too commenced on 20,000 per week. A few weeks later she was running around like a two year old before she fell and fractured her neck of femur.

Yes we need sun to convert vit D but I think in cases like mine where hypothyroidism is an issue or osteoporosis in the case of my mother-in-law, we need help to convert and/or we need regular suppliments of vit d also in summer months.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toGranny56

Hubby and I also tested LOW after living in Greece for over 4 years.  We both still supplement 12 years on !

I believe it is midday sun we need when the rays are more direct and with at least 40% of our bodies showing.  I can do that living in an olive grove but would not want to frighten folk if I was working in a city !!

in reply toMarz

Great one Marz......I'm just picturing the scene .....and to think I wanted to come and paint the olives !! xx

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to

You would be most welcome to come and paint the olives - they appear glossy and black in the winter time when they are harvested.  our olives here on Crete are quite small as they are for oil.  The Kalamata olives are the big ones - good for painting ......

in reply toMarz

Thanks Marz........sounds wonderful .......but unfortunately I haven't painted for some considerable time,not being able to get motivated,as too many other matters continually demand my time and attention........Hopefully one day !

Granny56 profile image
Granny56 in reply toMarz

Yes, I think you are correct. I remember reading somewhere that between 10:00 and midday is the best time with face, neck and shoulders exposed for at least 15-20 minutes without the use of sunscreen. Obviously, people need to be very careful when doing this so as not to be damaged by the sun.

What I don't fully understand is why I have a deficiency having lived in very hot countries with sunshine all year round.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toGranny56

.....I believe there is an issue in some people with their VDR's - vitamin D receptors.  Helvella posted about it a couple of years ago as the research was being done here in Crete.  Do you have Hashimotos ? - as I believe that was the link ....

Granny56 profile image
Granny56 in reply toMarz

Thanks for the link.

 I believe vit D is much more important to the maintainence of good health than the scientific community think.

I have primary hypothyroidism but recent bloods demonstrate increased TPO, correlating with latest thyroid ultrasound showing signs of autoimmune attack.this raises further questions for another thread.

lambrusco21 profile image
lambrusco21 in reply toGranny56

Mind my asking what your antibody levels were . 

Can low vit d cause peripheral neuropathy> Can a high vit D or calcium cause PN?Thanks.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tolambrusco21

More likely to be B12 - do you know your level ?  PN very common with B12 deficiencies - it is after all a neurological condition and not just a vitamin deficiency.  Check my posts !

Granny56 profile image
Granny56 in reply tolambrusco21

I have been searching for my results but think I gave the original to the cardiologist without making a copy (brain fog). I remember my March 2016 TPO -AK was 75 IU/ml ref range 0-34 a significant increase from January 2016 when it was 9 IU/ml.

I have PN in both feet but this could be attributed to B12 or diabetes.                 

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toGranny56

Check out the Replies and Posts of Epictetus on this forum.  He raises interesting but complicated  points about VitD testing and treatment.  It is to do with TH1 and TH2 dominance in the body.  We can be one or the other - I think I am both !!

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toGranny56

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/245...

This could be the one !

Granny56 profile image
Granny56 in reply toMarz

Very interesting! I have other autoimmune diseases plus renal disease, all of which according to this article can interfere with vit D conversion.

 I wonder if Rigge the originator of the thread has any illnesses which might have prevented the absorbtion, conversion and utilisation of vit D, leading to a deficiency?

lambrusco21 profile image
lambrusco21 in reply toGranny56

Ihave got low vit D plus renal disease but good kidney function. My vit d was 9 now 68.

catalonia13 profile image
catalonia13

I do! been on Pro D 20,000 for 3 months now, biopsies from  a recent gastroscopy showed Stage 1 Coelaic disease, which might explain the vit D deficiency

wenwake profile image
wenwake

In the UK highest dose I've seen is 3200 I was on that for 3 months then 800 for a further 3! Both are prescription dose and the 3200 is reletively new - my GP had to get it on special order following endo prescription! 

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply towenwake

20,000 IU vitamin D3 is listed here:

medicines.org.uk/emc/medici...

medicines.org.uk/emc/medici...

I wonder if the doctor was looking at a list that was sorted alphabetically? That way, 3200 could be closer to the end of the list than 20000. If you see what I mean.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply towenwake

Wenwake,

I was prescribed 2 x 20,000iu daily x 2 weeks and then 2,000iu daily x 8 weeks which raised vitD from <10 to 107.

wenwake profile image
wenwake in reply toClutter

Gosh Clutter that is a huge dose! My endo said 3200 per day was high my levels went from 17 to 38 only perhaps I needed more?? Back on 800 a day following a drop in levels again! Someone also told me that you had to have a break when taking VitD or else it can be dangerous - it's hard to know what to believe. I do know that the Fultium liquid gel capsules suit me better that any other! Sorry this is a bit garbled but am keen to know more!

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply towenwake

Wenwake,

If your vitD level only increased to 38nmol/L you need to take a higher dose, perhaps 2 x 3,200iu until level is around 100, and then reduce to 1 x 3,200iu maintenance dose.

tangolil profile image
tangolil

Yes.  Mine was 25, my daughter's 20.  Immediate and large doses of Vit.D restored our levels to the norm.  We both felt better after the first weekend of taking the supplement (prescribed).

Im currently on 20,000  u 3 times a week.not the first time iv had it.my first reading was 7.which is pretty low.1,000 does seem a small dose .my last reading was about 20 .i was also given 5mg folic tablets as well 

LuciaAsturias profile image
LuciaAsturias

Instead of stuffing me with cocodamol and amytriptiline for the first month end September to October last year,  after a sudden onset of generalised pain and arthritis like symptoms, the GPs should have checked my bloods. When they did, my vit D leves were on 27.  I was given 20,000 IU D3 daily for 2 weeks, then monthly.  No K2. The pain dropped from 10 to 6 immediately. Then diminished to 4-3. 

I started to use cannabis too.  Smoke 2 drags before going to sleep.  I believe it helped me to reduce the generalised inflammation I had.  

It took me another 5 months to get a private referral to an endocrinologist and obtain my hypothyroidism /autoimmune thyroiditis diagnosis. 

Persevere xx 

Where do I get K2 on prescription?  Cheers! 

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toLuciaAsturias

It is not expensive to buy on-line ....

ITYFIALMCTT profile image
ITYFIALMCTT

Recent blood work shows my vitamin D level at 20 mmol/L (50-150) and according to the converter at vitamindservice this is equivalent to 8 ng/ml.

I'll put up a separate post around my result rather than thread jack but it's uncertain what I should do as it's possible that I have a family genetic variation that influences vitamin D processing (which is why I requested the test and the GP agreed).

Valmac profile image
Valmac

Hi, I was also diagnosed with Vit D Deficiency ( as symptoms resemble hypo symptoms I was blaming that ) my doc put me on 800IUs a day, which was not going to raise my levels, not in my life time, so I joined and now follow the Vit D councils protocol, I take 10,000 IUs a day of D3 with magnesium, I was told the Vit D would absorb my magnesium, and I take K2 MK7, was told if I got palpitations from the K2 MK7 to change it to K2 MK4, already my numbers have doubled to 78nmol/L,  also the magnesium relieves you of the many bone pains & aches that D3 can bring,  the following is taken from the VitD councils site- 

Take Magnesium and Vitamin D

Together to Avoid Side Effects

I'll bet that no one has told you that Magnesium and Vitamin D should be taken together in order to avoid vitamin D side effects and to maximize absorption of both nutrients. Nutrients don't work alone, and when it comes to taking vitamin D, it's important that you take magnesium and vitamin D together and not JUST vitamin d alone in large doses as this can lead to what people BELIEVE are vitamin d side effects, but are really just magnesium deficiency symptoms that have been induced because of how vitamin D 'uses up' magnesium in its conversion to its 'active form' in the bloodstream from supplements and sunlight.

carer999 profile image
carer999 in reply toValmac

How much magnesium do you take?

Valmac profile image
Valmac in reply tocarer999

Hi I started out by taking 200mg of magnesium divided into 4 but have myself added another  100mg to rid myself off the so many aches and pains I had in my shins, knees, ankles, hands & back, which I can now say is all but a small amount of back pain gone, 😊

lambrusco21 profile image
lambrusco21 in reply toValmac

I did not know that D3 can cause pains in the bones and muscles. I need advice urgently from you guys. Please help me. I am taking 800 of adcal D3 x 2 dailyI have been on this for years. Can this be the cause of my neuropathy I wonder?

.

Valmac profile image
Valmac in reply tolambrusco21

I wouldn't know if it was responsible for your neuropathy, but are you taking a magnesium with your D3 and K2 ? X 

Valmac profile image
Valmac in reply toValmac

This is taken from the Vit D councils site, 

Take Magnesium and Vitamin D

Together to Avoid Side Effects

I'll bet that no one has told you that Magnesium and Vitamin D should be taken together in order to avoid vitamin D side effects and to maximize absorption of both nutrients. Nutrients don't work alone, and when it comes to taking vitamin D, it's important that you take magnesium and vitamin D together and not JUST vitamin d alone in large doses as this can lead to what people BELIEVE are vitamin d side effects, but are really just magnesium deficiency symptoms that have been induced because of how vitamin D 'uses up' magnesium in its conversion to its 'active form' in the bloodstream from supplements and sunlight.

Sid_Arthur profile image
Sid_Arthur

Hi Rigge,

Your result of 27ng/ml is equivalent to 67.5nmol/L ( - a good level for this time of year, assuming you live in the Northern hemisphere and are now into late spring ? ? ?).

You may also like to see a very alternative viewpoint on this issue to which I was recently pointed: drmcdougall.com/2015/03/31/...  - wherein one relevant portion states:

"The authors, after thoroughly examining the results of nearly a quarter-million people from 46 major randomized trials, conclude:

“Our findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium does not reduce skeletal or non-skeletal outcomes in unselected community-dwelling individuals by more than 15%. Future trials with similar designs are unlikely to alter these conclusions.” "

I believe increasingly other clinicians are also reconsidering their views, and voicing clear preferences towards the above; links to those may be on other similar threads ?

Hope that's of use to you . . . . . and helps to address your specific question !

Sid A.

Joannab17 profile image
Joannab17

Hi I've also have vitamin d deficiency , started on 600 iu a day and now on 1600iu a day .. I have daily aches and pains along with my underactive thyroid and blood tests showed low vit d. 

Valmac profile image
Valmac in reply toJoannab17

Hi Joanna, I'm not at all medically trained, I'm following the VitD council protocol, I too have an under active thyroid ( how much fun is that ?! ) but I was advised to take magnesium with my D3 as the D3 can absorb your own magnesium, and then to take a Vit K2 8-12 hours after I have taken my vitD3, the reason being that they are both fat soluble vitamins ( the D & K ) and compete if taken together and the Vit D will win every time, the magnesium helps with all the aches and pains which seems to come once taking the Vit D ( shin, back, ankles, knees & hands ) is where I got a lot of pains shortly after starting the protocol, I added in the mag and am pleased to say that all bar a few aches most have now gone, hope that helps some 😊

Joannab17 profile image
Joannab17 in reply toValmac

Hi valmac, thanks for that , i take 125 levothyroxine 1600 vit d and 4 iron tablets a day for very low iron , felt so poorly past month but seem to be picking up now , had all the above meds increased but couldn't say which one is making feel better !! Can I ask you what strength magnesium you take is it from the doctor or do you just but it from a supplement shop for example Holland and barratts ? The same with the vit k2 ? 

Jo x

Valmac profile image
Valmac in reply toJoannab17

Hi Jo, I take 200mg of magnesium but I source mine from Amazon ( was given a link of what to get via the Vit D council ) they are called 'Doctors best' there quiet pure and not full of rubbish and fillers, will pop back and add the link ~Jill~ X 

Well how strange it won't let me add a link ? I can see people have added links, maybe not allowed Amazon ones, but if you type into Amazon 'doctors best, magnesium cheleted' it will come up, I find them a real good aid to pain,  I'm on Tyhroid-S, Jo, for my uat, used to take levo thyroxine for many many years, but never got well, and started NDT just over 2 years ago, would never go back to levo I have to say,  in as far as the Vit D3 I take, I was diagnosed as Vit D deficient and I'm following a protocol, oops think I'm repeating myself ( brain fog ) 😊 X 

Ps nearly forgot, the K2 MK7 I take, again is from Amazon the brand is 'jarrows' so if you type in Jarrows K2 MK7 it should come up, again it wouldn't let me add the link, I take 90mcg a day, I was told though that if the MK7 was to cause me palpitations to switch to the 'Jarrows K2 MK4

But I haven't found a problem with the MK7 

Hope this helps you, Jill X 

Eddie83 profile image
Eddie83

Anyone else have it?   It's a worldwide epidemic!

Sid_Arthur profile image
Sid_Arthur in reply toEddie83

. . . . . . a worldwide "epidemic" . . . . . OR certain parties are particularly keen to give that impression, where ACTUALLY sources of suspicious, incredible information "have turned hundreds of millions of people into patients with worse, not better, health" perhaps ? ? ?

Source: drmcdougall.com/misc/2015nl...

Any thoughts ?

Sid A.

linlow profile image
linlow

My blood tests identified me as VitD deficient last year so I started taking 10000IU D3/K2.  It totally knocked me out!  At first I didn't mind since I was, at that time, averaging short of 4 hours a night.  But the longer I went on the more I found it interfered with my day so I stopped.

I had a friend who was really struggling to sleep so I advised him to take the same.  Didn't make a hap'orths worth of difference to him.  So the old saying 'different strokes for different folks' still rings true.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to try again.  Same result, sleeping all hours and waking up groggy.  Needless to say I have given up on them.

Sid_Arthur profile image
Sid_Arthur in reply tolinlow

Interesting feedback, Linlow - you may like to read the link in my above reply to Eddie83's post !

Sid A.

linlow profile image
linlow in reply toSid_Arthur

Interesting report, thank you. 

What a pity it doesn't go as far as to touch upon SPF (sun protection factor) creams.  I am sure that these are, in part, responsible for the epidemic of vitamin D deficiencies, since they block the very rays we require to make it.

Oh well, I shall just have to try to eat more eggs 😉

Sid_Arthur profile image
Sid_Arthur in reply tolinlow

In think the real prohormone "vitamin D" story, as is available now from the known science is more complex than the sunscreens issues alone. 

In a portion of the population, affected by inflammation-causing illnesses, the underlying pathology itself is said to be the cause of the lower levels measured in the blood test. 

Then, in such cases increasing these levels (by supplementation OR sun-exposure) is said to exacerbate an already poor situation - a verifiable viewpoint that remains unrecognised by much of our medical profession, it would seem. 

Sid A.

linlow profile image
linlow in reply toSid_Arthur

Oh undoubtedly, that is why I qualified it with 'in part'.  I think it is also exacerbated by the fact that we have forgotten, in our stress laden lives, how to be healthy AND inhabit an extremely toxic environment.  Unfortunately there aren't many of us can go live on top of a mountain or buy an uninhabited island 😉

As to our medical profession, their path was set a long time ago when it was decided to demonised rather than embrace alternative practitioners.  Admittedly there were a few snake oil proponents that got the remainder a bad reputation but generations of knowledge and specialised skills were lost as a result.  The stigma prevails today - though the pendulum is swinging in the right direction.

ITYFIALMCTT profile image
ITYFIALMCTT in reply toSid_Arthur

Is there a clear clinical/biochemical test to establish that such inflammation exists in such cases? My recent vitamin D level is deficient (20mmol/L, 8ng/mL) which didn't surprise me as first degree relatives have been told they have a processing defect (probably VDR-related).

I've read a fair amount since to aid in my decision whether I should take vitamin D in supplemental form and I keep reading about the notion that low levels might be a consequence of inflammation-causing illnesses (and I am currently being assessed for inflammatory arthritis) but the only biochemical marker for inflammation that was measured was ESR and the result is well within bounds.

It would be helpful if Dr McDougall and other commenters would give examples of the sort of inflammation they expect to be associated with vitamin D levels and how they're measured.

Sid_Arthur profile image
Sid_Arthur in reply toITYFIALMCTT

The simple honest answer to your first question is that no, there is no ONE clear clinical or biochemical test to establish such inflammation - our biology seems to be too complex for such a test, given our present level of medical knowledge.

However, in many cases a clear indication can be arrived at by:

a) good clinical examination (of signs & symptoms), and

b) a selection of tests which are regarded as markers ( - tho' not always definitively) of inflammation, including ESR, CPR, white cell count & ferritin.  As said, none are definitive (in my understanding) in ALL cases . . . . and results returning as normal OR marginally elevated do not exclude the presence of inflammation altogether.

I hope you'll find the F. Parent article, which describes the known "vit D/VDR dysfunction" a good starting point - I have no reason to believe Dr McDougal is aware of this knowledge, . . . . but appears to have come to his own conclusions on the issues of vit. D supplementation from his own experience and observations.

;~)

jesutofunmi profile image
jesutofunmi

 6months ago, told told me to do blood test cos of sign of high blood pressure 155/100 ( i had burst vein n my eyes) result came back i had Vit D deficencty  and Dr gave me 20000IU for 8weeks and 1tablet every two weeks.He also put me on 10mg Almodipne and Ramipril.  Before then i had pain in my feet and i was told is Plantar fasciitis ( not sure if vit D might be the cause). 2weeks ago i stopped taking Ramipril cos on constant pin and needle in fingers and toes, stiff foot or muscle pain and stomach pain.

last week,  I went to Dr for alternative to Rampril and was told my BP was quite low 105/77. am only taken Almodipine now. she's requested for another blood test for Vit D

I started having pin and needle again and stiff ankle on right foot - not sure why.  my Vit D result not out yet but thanks to everybody for sharing your experience. i now know K2 should be taken along with Vit D

dee_13 profile image
dee_13

I take Solray-D spray as I have emphysema and osteoporosis of the lower spine. This is combined vitamins D3 and K, and I feel like a new woman.  Not cheap as I purchase this privately from Agora Health, but it's well worth the cost to me as I feel so well on it.  My breathing is much better and I have so much more life now.  I've even started walking my dogs again.

kags45 profile image
kags45

I was put on vitamin d capsules  after my thyroid levels dropped to 2 mml x

rick45 profile image
rick45

Everybody that is not getting enough sun will be suffering from VIT d deficiency,

Well known fact.

Sid_Arthur profile image
Sid_Arthur in reply torick45

Is it a "Well known fact" ? 

Or is it in fact, ( - for, at least, a portion of the population) simply a (glaring !) misconception ? ? ?  Views along this line via links in earlier responses to in this thread . . . . . hope you've have time to consider them !

Cheers,

;- )

adin profile image
adin

I developed tinnitus from d3 vit. then i stop take it

1Harley profile image
1Harley

I have had the same and felt terrible for a long time.  I did some research and tried taking 1000iu daily as I thought I had this but it did not help.  Through nagging my GP and finaly getting an appointment with at endocoligist at the hosital a blood test which only they can do  finaly showed the deficiency and after taking 6000iu dialy for a month and then reducing to  1000iu  I feel a lot better. It has made a huge difference to my hair, nails, digestion, and well being.

HASHISmom34 profile image
HASHISmom34

Mine was in the 20s almost 2 yrs ago as well and i spend a lot of time outside. Auto immune people are known for low Vit D. You need to supplement till your levels reach 60-80.

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