As some of you may know, I've been on this board for years and often post studies etc regarding the benefits of Vitamin D on modulating your immune system. I even noticed supplementing with higher doses of Vitamin D really seemed to help my pain when nothing else would...
Well, this spring/summer, I would intermittently take oral Vitamin D but didn't take that much as I've been in the sun alot without sunscreen...
Well, I went to the doctor the other day because I'm concerned I may be having some thyroid/Hashi's issues (fatigue, carpal-tunnel like feeling in wrists, wooziness, depressed, outbreak of acne, irregular period)...I had a Vitamin D test thinking I must be at least in the mid to upper range. To my great surprise, I was at the very low end of the normal range!!! Only at 32 (30-100). I couldn't believe it. I just wonder if this latest bout of feeling bad has anything to do with my levels being at the lower end...
So, please don't do like I did and think you're getting sufficent "D" from the sun..you may not be..just something to keep in mind if you feel better with your levels at the higher end....
Posted by t9im (Member # 25489) on :
Hi Bugg:
Once we reach 40 our bodies do not convert the suns rays to D-3 like they did when we were younger.
Then of course this disease has its own impact.
You need to bring the level to between 60 and 100.
Under 30 is deficient.
D is known to help with MS, some cancers, bone development, fatigue and I'm sure others.
Posted by baileypup (Member # 22824) on :
I love Vitamin D!!! If ever I am feeling lethargic, need energy or not my self.....Vitamin D is the magic bullet.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
You are exactly right Bugg! I just had my bloodwork done too, was sure with all the sun I was making my self get my numbers would be good...
24
back on the D drops...
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Bugg, Is there a specific lab test for Vitamin D that is recommended? If I ask my family doc to check, I don't know what test he'll order.
I am aware that you need to stop taking the D3 supplement for several days before the test, so that it's accurate...I read five days.
Carol
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Your doctor should know this as the subject of low vitamin D levels have been in awareness for a good while now, even with ordinary mainstream doctors. There is a plethora of research on the health benefits of vitamin D. Most Americans are very deficient.
The is what is listed on my labs from Quest though it's widely thought that lab corp is the better lab. Quest's levels are routinely inaccurate and low and they have claimed to have remedied it but I don't feel confident that they have. I still find discrepancies between the two labs:
The liquid type is better adsorbed than pill form and this product is emulsified and is supposed have better absorption rates. Also, always take vitamin D with a fatty meal for optimal absorption, as it's a fat soluble vitamin.
I declined the Vitamin D medication that my non integrative doctor prescribed. It was a dark green gel cap and I only wondered how much artificial stuff and dyes were in it, plus it was Vitamin D2 not Vitamin D3.
It takes a while to get low levels up. I took the equivalent of 70,000 IU of Biotics D3 a week in divided daily doses for about 3 months and my levels went from 36 to 92.
Now I take 6,000IU's daily.
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
Since I started taking 10,000IU's per day, I feel SO much better!
Thanks for posting Bugg.
Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :
I feel like ROYAL CRAP when I take vitamin D.
Posted by t9im (Member # 25489) on :
Hi bugg:
As a follow up one needs to take it in the gel or liquid form as it is not absorbed in a regular tablet.
Also the prescription pill is no better than what can be purchased at Sam's.
15 minutes of sunlight when your young (won't work for me .
Dr. Hollick in Boston run's a D clinic and has great info on it.
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
Wow, these are all such interesting and helpful points...
Does anyone get the symptoms I listed in my initial post from low D levels? I just wonder if my immune system/hormones are out-of-whack from the low D and this isn't a Hashi's issue (still waiting on my test results re: Hashi's)...
I started taking alot of D yesterday and my body started aching all over. I remember this happened in the past when I was low and tried to take the larger doses..ugh!! Do others ache when they first start to load the doses?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
ABX... how much is this and how long does it last?
That is super interesting. I will start taking vitamin D3 even though it is summer. I read there are some people that cannot convert it in their skin.
Vitamin D deficiency is thought to be one of the causes of type one diabetes. Type one diabetics and/or their family members often have other autoimmune disease such as hashimotto. My son has diabetes and I have antibodies against my thyroid!
Boosting your immune system with vitamin D is important. LDN, low dose naltrexone, is extremely good at halting hashimotos disease. But they stress your vitamin D levels need to be checked and supplemented as necessary. I just ordered my LDN. So excited!
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
quote:Originally posted by Carol in PA: I am aware that you need to stop taking the D3 supplement for several days before the test, so that it's accurate...I read five days.
Carol
Wouldn't that ensure that it would be inaccurate?
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Lymetoo,
I call Nutri Pharma, don't use the website as it's not good, and I pay $20.00 and it lasts a long time. Can't tell you exactly as it depends if you are on a high dose tying to up your levels but at 6,000IU's a day (three drops) it lasts me more than five months may be even longer. I just know I don't order it often.
I find Nutri Pharma to have the best brands and prices but again don't use their website unless you can figure it out. They offer excellent service, always helpful and reliable. Their number is 212-983-8291.
You may be able to find it on the net cheaper if you searc but I like just picking up the phone and they know every thing I use and it's easy.
My naturopathic doctor now sees how much pain it causes me.
Anything to do with nourishment, like eating and vitamins, cause worse pain, and sex makes the pain worse after I have had sex.
Sometimes, I feel like I am on the wrong forum, because I don't see many people that can relate to me.
I am glad vitamin D is helping you.
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
@Missing. Have you ever been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis? It sounds very much like you have it.
I can't take multi-vitamins because vit c and vit b6 cause me tremendous pain. Also, pain during and after intercourse is big indicator that you could have IC.
You also have to be very careful with your diet when you have IC. Lymetoo has IC and she said that hers is much, much better since treating for lyme.
Since I started eating dairy, gluten, and sugar free, my pain levels are way down from my bladder pain. Intercourse is much better also. I try to eat mostly organic and stay far away from GMO foods.
Please feel free to PM me with any questions about IC.
Posted by missing (Member # 22437) on :
the pain is in my arms, skin and legs,
I have no pain in my vagina nor in my stomach, my entire torso region feels great, but it feels as if i am being put through a meat grinder, or
as if my legs and arms were run over by a car, or cut with razors, or hit with a million hammers!
it also feels like I have bits and shards of slivers of glass floating in my blood !
This was before I even knew that I had Lyme disease.
I am also sensitive to sound and light and being over stimulated.
So going for accupunture, massage, or even getting a hug results in unbearable pain.
Posted by missing (Member # 22437) on :
oh yeah, the pain feels like I am being electrocuted!
I feel as if someone used a tazor gun on me!
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
Missing-Have you been to see an immunologist? Perhaps your immune system is out-of-whack/overactive in some areas which can be causing your pain....
Posted by lightfoot (Member # 2536) on :
Thanks for sharing Bugg. Your experience confirms my suspicions all along......there is possibly another reason so many of us and the general population is so low on D.
I have no idea what it might be but the sun explanation has never satisfied me. It's a harmless reason that our medical world can use.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Missing, another important supplement is alpha lipoic acid which is a powerful antioxidant and detoxer. It calms neuropathy which sounds like what you have.
It stimulates endorphins which boost the immune system and helps ease pain. It has been used very successfully to treat many diseases and conditions including fibromyalgia so it might help you with your pain.
It is best taken with vitamin D and ALA.
Posted by t9im (Member # 25489) on :
You could take vitamin D or . . . from The Heart Scan Blog by Dr. William Davis
*********************
You could take vitamin D and achieve a desirable blood level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (I aim for 60-70 ng/ml), or you could:
�Take Actos to mimic the enhanced insulin sensitivity generated by vitamin D
�Take lisinopril to mimic the angiotensin-converting enzyme blocking, antihypertensive effect of vitamin D
�Take Fosamax or Boniva to mimic the bone density-increasing effect of vitamin D
�Take Celexa or other SSRI antidepressants to mimic the mood-elevating and winter �blues�-relieving effect of vitamin D
�Take Niaspan to mimic the HDL-increasing, small LDL-reducing effect of vitamin D
�Take naproxen to mimic the pain-relieving effect of vitamin D
So, given a choice, what do most doctors choose? Of course, they choose from the menu as presented by the sexy sales representative sitting in the office waiting room. These medications, of course, are among the top sellers in the drug world, taken by millions of Americans and not just one at a time, but several per person.
The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, the panel of volunteers charged with drafting a Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamin D, says that you are already getting enough vitamin D, so don�t bother taking any supplements and continue to wear your sunscreen. Wonder whose side they�re on?
I continue to be impressed that many of the conditions that plague modern people are little more than deficiencies peculiar to modern life, such as vitamin D deficiency, or the result of the excesses of modern life, such as consumption of sucrose, fructose, corn, and �healthy whole grains.�
I take 8000 units of gelcap vitamin D and haven�t felt better. *****************
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