I just got back my blood serum level for Vitamin D. It was: 8 (very low) :eek:

(The test measured Vitamin D3, 25-hydroxy, & Vitamin D2, 25-hydroxy.)

Normal is anywhere between 30 to 80.

The doctor I work for put me on a Rx for Vitamin D, once a week for 2 months.

Does anyone have any experience with this?
From what I understand, this is an extremely low level.

I walk, eat healthy, and I'm not over weight. I sometimes get tired out after mild exercise and my muscles hurt after garden work, but I attributed that to middle age!

Should I see an Endocrinologist or another type of specialist? Should I just take the Rx and forget about pursuing a specialist?

I've Googled this, but I am more confused now. ( I guess more scared)
Any advice/information would be really helpful - Thanks

Do you ever get outside?

Yes. I walk outside for about an hour on Sundays, I also sit outside when it's nice. I don't think it's related to lack of outside exposure. I think, I'm not sure?

About 15 minutes everyday will give you all the D you need for the day, assuming your body has the ability to make it. If you (your body) really have a problem with this, then you will need to supplement.

So, should I take the supplement? (I'm super deficient.) How do I know if my body can manufacture D on my own? Should I try sitting outside for 15 mins a day, for say, 2 weeks straight and then re-test?
Are the supplements dangerous?

All supplements could be dangerous.

Since your vitamin D levels are so low, it might be best to take the supplements as prescribed, and during that time also make sure to get into the habit to spend more time outside to get more sunlight - but more than just 15 minutes.

All supplements could be dangerous.

Since your vitamin D levels are so low, it might be best to take the supplements as prescribed, and during that time also make sure to get into the habit to spend more time outside to get more sunlight - but more than just 15 minutes.

Do you think I should consult a specialist? Considering how low the level is. Do you know if this could mean something else is wrong?

With any type of illness or deficiency, it is hard to predict its exact course and extent for an individual person.

It could be that what your doctor has prescribed you will work just fine, and there is nothing else wrong. It could also be that something else is wrong.

Generally with medical treatments, the course of action is to start with a likely treatment; and then if that one doesn't show successful, start another one.

I would suggest you ask your doctor for more information.

With any type of illness or deficiency, it is hard to predict its exact course and extent for an individual person.

It could be that what your doctor has prescribed you will work just fine, and there is nothing else wrong. It could also be that something else is wrong.

Generally with medical treatments, the course of action is to start with a likely treatment; and then if that one doesn't show successful, start another one.

I would suggest you ask your doctor for more information.

thanks for the input. I'm going to take the Rx.

I was diagnosed the same about three months ago, and the doc put me on a Vitamin D bomb (50,000 IU) once a week for two months and then once a month after. My level was at 7 when I was tested. A lot of people are D deficient, more than people realize because it's not a normal test.

Take the Rx, I have never felt better in my life. No aches and pains like I used to have, I'm not so tired in the evenings, I have an easier time getting up in the morning and generally I feel healthier. I haven't caught the three viruses people have been passing around and I feel like I am thinking more clearly and have more motivation.

It was my endocrinologist that prescribed mine. I would suggest getting tested after those two months and seeing what your levels are then. If it's still way down, you might have bigger issues. I am still on the 50k once a month, but I take 1000 IU in the morning and evening now.

I just wish to re-check something:

I've looked up some resources on the internet, and it seems the only resource of vitamin D in the form of commonly eaten foodstuffs is meat (mostly fish), and mushrooms.

1. In order for the body to produce vitamin D, is it necessary to eat meat (mostly fish)?

2. Is the essential factor in proper vitamin D production exposure to sufficient sunlight (provided the person doesn't have any other diseases that could cause vitamin D deficiency)?

I just wish to re-check something:

I've looked up some resources on the internet, and it seems the only resource of vitamin D in the form of commonly eaten foodstuffs is meat (mostly fish), and mushrooms.

1. In order for the body to produce vitamin D, is it necessary to eat meat (mostly fish)?

2. Is the essential factor in proper vitamin D production exposure to sufficient sunlight (provided the person doesn't have any other diseases that could cause vitamin D deficiency)?

Your skin makes vitamin D under the influence of UV-light. Normally no supplements are needed (and that includes natural sources such as fish).

Is it possible to 'catch up' or 'store' vitamin D?
Say, if you work indoors the whole day and get practically no sunlight during the day - if you go outside on the weekend and spend several hours in the sun - is it possible to catch up that way?

I already know about the 15 mins outside everyday produces vitamin D.

Now I got a couple questions, that might be stupid but.....

What if it is cloudy?

What if you wear sunscreen all over, does that have an affect?

Signal - yup. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, so your body can store it in its own fat tissue.


Yes. I walk outside for about an hour on Sundays, I also sit outside when it's nice. I don't think it's related to lack of outside exposure. I think, I'm not sure?

Still not enough. Also it depends on your latitude. For example in Canada, the winter sun isn't strong enough to give all you need, especially if you're exposing just your head and hands. You could survive on that, but low vitamin D is associated with much higher risk of cancer, diabetes, MS and other diseases.

How old are you? Are you fit? Any liver problems?
If you have a fatty liver, orally taken vitamin D can get trapped in the liver and become toxic. If you're fit, then definitely go on the Rx... otherwise you can get a vitamin D cream that you rub onto the skin which skips the liver.

Shorty
UV rays can still get through on a cloudy day. Sunscreen will stop it though. Oh and BTW.. 15 minutes is *not* enough. Especially in Canada..

Shorty
UV rays can still get through on a cloudy day. Sunscreen will stop it though. Oh and BTW.. 15 minutes is *not* enough. Especially in Canada..

I know they still come through on a cloudy day, but I wondered if you would have to be out a lot longer then the 15 mins. I see that you don't agree that 15 mins is long enough anyway. Does it also matter how much of your skin is exposed? is your hands and face even good enough?

Yeah well here in Canada we had +12 and sunny on Sunday and Monday back to friggen freezing rain, blowing snow and a crazy wind that won't let up. :o

Vitamin D status is affected by many things.

1. You need UV B radiation, which is poor beyond the tropics.

2. You need at least 20 minutes of exposure daily in full sunlight with optimal UVB which produces about 20,000 IU of vitamin D

3. You need to not be wearing any protection on your skin since UVB is blocked by most sunscreens and probably even by clothes. Also by clouds, pollution and anything that blocks UV radiation.

4. We don't know what is the normal (http://esi-topics.com/nhp/2006/march-06-BruceWHollis.html)vitamin D level and we don't have sufficient information to declare what is toxic

5. We don't know if ingestion by the oral route has identical metabolic effects as subdermal production.

Generall speaking below 30 nmol is low and above 80 nmol is good. Which works out to 2000 to 8000 IU per day, depending on season and location. Current recommendations are 400 IU per day.

Isn't there a link between lack of Viatmin D and Multiple Sclerosis?

Could be, but the connection is based on the fact that a majority of people with MS are vitamin D deficient. Of course, the majority of people are vitamin D deficient, so thats not saying much.

http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/abstract/40/6/1158

Just wanted to emphasize this:





Vitamin D is made in huge amounts when we go into intense sun. A fair-skinned individual can produce approximately 20,000 IU in 10 minutes’ time with a total body exposure.

A person with significant pigmentation will require up to 10 times the exposure to make an equivalent amount.

In the winter at the latitude of Chicago, even a fair person cannot photo-produce vitamin D from mid-October through March.

So those 10-15 minutes that tend to be mentioned as the sufficient dosis are actually under the conditions of 1. being in intense sunlight, 2. being fair-skinned, 3. with total body exposure.

Could be, but the connection is based on the fact that a majority of people with MS are vitamin D deficient. Of course, the majority of people are vitamin D deficient, so thats not saying much.

And those who have MS are probably kept indoors a lot.

And those who have MS are probably kept indoors a lot.

Most people with MS are still mobile. That is, getting around by themselves.

Not quite at the "kept" stage. Also, they just tend to absorb D less well than myelin-normal folks like you and me. Kthnxbye.

UV rays can still get through on a cloudy day. .


I know they still come through on a cloudy day

Thats UVA, or the tanning rays [the ones which are also a risk factor for melanoma]. UVB rays are partially obstructed by the ozone layer and partially absorbed by clouds.

Just wanted to emphasize this:

Yeah, but it can't be far off. How else did humanity survive before vitamin supplements ?

It didn't. Why do you think chronic diseases are a problem now?

We're living long enough to get them.

I was diagnosed the same about three months ago, and the doc put me on a Vitamin D bomb (50,000 IU) once a week for two months and then once a month after. My level was at 7 when I was tested. A lot of people are D deficient, more than people realize because it's not a normal test.

Take the Rx, I have never felt better in my life. No aches and pains like I used to have, I'm not so tired in the evenings, I have an easier time getting up in the morning and generally I feel healthier. I haven't caught the three viruses people have been passing around and I feel like I am thinking more clearly and have more motivation.

It was my endocrinologist that prescribed mine. I would suggest getting tested after those two months and seeing what your levels are then. If it's still way down, you might have bigger issues. I am still on the 50k once a month, but I take 1000 IU in the morning and evening now.

This sounds exactly like my situation. I've started the Rx yesterday - Ergocalciferol 50,000 units 1 per week for 2 months.

I am hoping to get the same results you got. Right now I am sore after gardening, but not after walking (why?). I'm easily tired, and some days almost not able to get up for work. I thought I was going crazy!

I have luckily not gotten any viruses, but did have a case of vertigo in Jan. :shrug:

As a side note, I took the test because the MD I work for has been testing some his patients for low levels of vitamin D. He's a cardiologist who specializes in the treatment of elevated cholesterol. He sometimes prescribes statins to his patients. He decided to test his patients that had a history of extreme muscle aches with statin use. He said it has been found that there maybe a correlation between extreme muscle aches, statins use and low Vit D levels.

So, the office staff decided to be tested to. Out of us 3 girls who took the test, 2 were deficient & needed replacement therapy, and one wasn't that low. She decided to take an over the counter maintenance dose.

I also made an appt. with a General MD, just to follow up with everything. I'm really glad I had the lab test.

I know they still come through on a cloudy day, but I wondered if you would have to be out a lot longer then the 15 mins. I see that you don't agree that 15 mins is long enough anyway. Does it also matter how much of your skin is exposed? is your hands and face even good enough?

Yeah well here in Canada we had +12 and sunny on Sunday and Monday back to friggen freezing rain, blowing snow and a crazy wind that won't let up. :o


"The factors that affect UV radiation exposure and research to date on the amount of sun exposure needed to maintain adequate vitamin D levels make it difficult to provide general guidelines. It has been suggested by some vitamin D researchers, for example, that approximately 5-30 minutes of sun exposure between 10 AM and 3 PM at least twice a week to the face, arms, legs, or back without sunscreen usually lead to sufficient vitamin D synthesis and that the moderate use of commercial tanning beds that emit 2-6% UVB radiation is also effective [11,28]. Individuals with limited sun exposure need to include good sources of vitamin D in their diet or take a supplement."
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp

Shorty, Here's something that is really informative. I would take a supplement if I were trying for maintenance vs. sun exposure. (not enough time)
I'm pretty short, and small boned and concerned with osteoporosis, so after I get to optimum levels, I'll add a supplement to my daily routine.;)

there maybe a correlation between extreme muscle aches, statins use and low Vit D levels.

I heard the same thing from a doctor at a poster session. He treated his older patients with vitamin D supplements and found that their episodes of muscle soreness were reduced. Also their sarcopenia [muscle loss].

There is some preliminary work that suggests a role for vitamin D in muscle metabolism. Its still in the early stages.

I heard the same thing from a doctor at a poster session. He treated his older patients with vitamin D supplements and found that their episodes of muscle soreness were reduced. Also their sarcopenia [muscle loss].

There is some preliminary work that suggests a role for vitamin D in muscle metabolism. Its still in the early stages.

I know I had huge leg and arm muscle aches periodically. And the other girl had leg cramps at night.

Remember, vitamin D synthesis is the most likely explanation for why humans lost melanin as they moved to northern latitudes. Since I don't consume as much vitamin D fortified dairy as I used to, I've been buying the D fortified orange juice. But since I've been cycling more (better weather, daylight saving time, longer days), I probably get all I need that way.

Remember, vitamin D synthesis is the most likely explanation for why humans lost melanin as they moved to northern latitudes. Since I don't consume as much vitamin D fortified dairy as I used to, I've been buying the D fortified orange juice. But since I've been cycling more (better weather, daylight saving time, longer days), I probably get all I need that way.

Maybe, but how would you know if you weren't? It's a simple lab test that could be included in a yearly check up. If your getting older, maybe you should get it checked. Vit D def. is linked to a lot of symptoms that affect quality of life. It's just a thought:) Though, it sounds like your fit and healthy.

And those who have MS are probably kept indoors a lot.

wha?? Why? Are they sun sensitive so they can't go outside?

People with MS tend to be temperature sensitive.

cold or heat sensitive?

wha?? Why? Are they sun sensitive so they can't go outside?

Well, their mobility depends on how far the MS has progressed. And if it is advanced enough, then these people depend on others to regularly take them to sunbaths.

Orleander, my ex couldn't really regulate his body temp because of brain/spinal damage, so he was sensitive to both.

Go look at the sun for 3 hours.


open wide.


peace.

I know they still come through on a cloudy day, but I wondered if you would have to be out a lot longer then the 15 mins. I see that you don't agree that 15 mins is long enough anyway. Does it also matter how much of your skin is exposed? is your hands and face even good enough?

Yeah well here in Canada we had +12 and sunny on Sunday and Monday back to friggen freezing rain, blowing snow and a crazy wind that won't let up. :o

Hah I know I'm down in Calgary :cool:
Well they say 15 minutes naked. If that were long enough for the Canadian sun then nobody here would have deficiencies. I mean, who doesn't get at least 15 minutes of sun?

As far as I know, the more skin you have exposed, the more vit D you can make. But then your scalp and eyes have more vitamin D receptors than anywhere else on your body.. so its not all equal.

Look for Vitamin D at this site, a lot of good information.

http://www.mercola.com/

I take 4000 IU oral a day in winter and 2000 IU in summer.

Look for Vitamin D at this site, a lot of good information.

http://www.mercola.com/

I take 4000 IU oral a day in winter and 2000 IU in summer.

I thought 1000 IU was plenty::confused: It's stored in your fat tissue, right?

I thought 1000 IU was plenty::confused: It's stored in your fat tissue, right?

But if you are not getting enough from the sunshine, it is hard to get it. Think about it. When my body was in college, I got 4 hours of sunshine a day. Now, it is just partial when driving to work, that too filtered by the windows. Only weekends I get a little in the back yard.

So, for years I was in a deficit mode. I plan to go see an endocrinologist one of these days to check all my hormone and Vit levels....

Good idea. Did you read the earlier posts? mine was 8. normal is between 30 - 80. i'm on high dose for 2 months. the only thing i felt was muscle aches and tired. but i attributed that to aging..

Six months ago, I had minor cognitive deficiency, - like forgetting things. I attributed that to age. But after I was on Vitamin D, in about two months, I was able to recall data I read on a web page after a few hours while talking about it to friends on the phone. Today, I can say, that my complex systems thinking is sharp and numbers stand out clearly from books or web sites.

I am happy.

Wow.. nice to know. maybe this explains why I've locked my keys in the car 3 times in the last few months!

Look for Vitamin D at this site, a lot of good information.

http://www.mercola.com/

I take 4000 IU oral a day in winter and 2000 IU in summer.

Great site. Dr Mercola was the person who first got me interested in integrative health.

On the downside, he tries to sell you a lot shit and some of his ideas stretch the science a little bit..

Great site. Dr Mercola was the person who first got me interested in integrative health.

On the downside, he tries to sell you a lot shit and some of his ideas stretch the science a little bit..

Like everything else in life, you have to be an intelligent well-informed shopper.....:)