posted
My DS7 has been diagnosed with lyme, bartonella, and possibly babesia. He is IGeneX positive for lyme - both IgM & IgG. His vitamin D is very low, and he's an active young boy, who practically lives outside on our hobby farm. And it's August, so this is not an issue of lack of sun exposure. We don't even use sunscreen unless we spend a day at the beach!
I was reading that vitamin D deficiency can cause musculoskeletal pain, which he has. It affects thyroid and adrenal - both of which he has problems with. And it is associated with chronic illness and autoimmune disorders. He has PANDAS, which is an autoimmune disease affecting his brain.
So, I'm wondering if anyone can give me more information, or links to good articles on vitamin D. Especially as it pertains to lyme disease. Thanks!
Posts: 41 | From Ontario | Registered: Apr 2011
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nefferdun
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I wonder why he is low when get gets plenty of sun exposure and it is summer. Vitamin D deficiency is also linked with type one diabetes. I hope you find some answers.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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Brussels
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Many lyme people with low Vit D values. You can check posts here for years. I was one of them.
I supplemented with D3 and felt it helped.
I guess most lyme sufferers get lower Vit D or magnesium too. If babesia is involved, then low ferritin. That was my case.
Dr. Mercola is a proponent of higher levels of Vit for better health. Google Mercola.
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
I would start Vit D supplementation. The doctor who ordered the lab work.....what did s/he suggest?
There is prescription strength Vit D which my doctor prescribed for me. I don't know what a child's dose is. Currently I take 5,000 IU. You can also get a low dose at health food store - such as 2,000. I would get on this right away. It is an inexpensive and tangible way to help his health.
Posts: 47 | From Pacific Northwest | Registered: Jul 2011
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posted
I just tested low for Vit D. I am taking 50,000IU once per week for 8 weeks. I have been in the sun a lot this summer too and still tested low. Have you started supplemening him?
Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Sep 2006
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sutherngrl
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Remember.......don't take your D supplements 4 or 5 days prior to getting your D level checked, to get a true reading!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I have to supplement year around to get adequate levels. I would think a child playing outside all summer would have adequate levels if enough skin were exposed, but those who have darker skin or darker tans absorb less. Plus those farther north. I need it year around, more in the winter.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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sutherngrl
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I supplement with 50,000 IUs per week, year round. I am on Doxy, so I don't get any sun.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
When I was still undiagnosed and very sick with lyme, my blood test showed that my Vitamin D level was extremely low and my PCP gave me 50,000 IU by prescription once a week for 8 weeks to bring it up and now I take 1,000 I.U per day. People with lyme are often deficient in Vit. D. but Vit. D therapy at high rates should be done under a doctor's care because I've heard that too much can be dangerous. Don't know how much a child should be given. Good luck. Posts: 75 | From Va. | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
I'm still confused. He's not in any high risk groups for deficiency - he's got fair skin (blond hair, blue eyes), he gets lots of sun and is nicely tanned all over. He's young. I don't see any reason for this deficiency unless the lyme caused it, or he has some dysfunction in his system that doesn't allow him to convert it, or something like that. Are there further tests to figure out why? We see the LLMD who ordered the test on Sept 8th. I'm guessing she will add a supplement. His magnesium and ferritin are okay. I don't know if I should start supplementing before consulting her. He's taking so many things already - 18 pills a day and we have lots more to add gradually. I think I'll wait until the 8th for the LLMD's recommendation.
Posts: 41 | From Ontario | Registered: Apr 2011
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scorpiogirl
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quote:Originally posted by momcap: My DS7 has been diagnosed with lyme, bartonella, and possibly babesia. He is IGeneX positive for lyme - both IgM & IgG. His vitamin D is very low, and he's an active young boy, who practically lives outside on our hobby farm. And it's August, so this is not an issue of lack of sun exposure. We don't even use sunscreen unless we spend a day at the beach!
I was reading that vitamin D deficiency can cause musculoskeletal pain, which he has. It affects thyroid and adrenal - both of which he has problems with. And it is associated with chronic illness and autoimmune disorders. He has PANDAS, which is an autoimmune disease affecting his brain.
So, I'm wondering if anyone can give me more information, or links to good articles on vitamin D. Especially as it pertains to lyme disease. Thanks!
Hi, I don't know the answer but our 6 years old was just diagnosed with Lyme and her CD 57 level is very low in the 50s and her Vit D is also very low at 43. Like your son our girl is very active and since we live in the West Coast we have 8 swimming months out of the year. She's swimming 3-4 times a week 2-4 hours at a time. I too do not put sun block on unless we're all the beach all day. She wears rash guards so I don't understand why her level is so low as well!
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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posted
Can you guys tell me of any pediatric LLMD's? What treatment are your children on? My daughter just tested positive and I am petrified. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Posts: 2 | From maryland | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I live in WA state and was told that we are too far north to get enough vitamin D from the sun. I was told that even in the summer, supplements are needed.
Posts: 59 | From Seattle WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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Brussels
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13480
posted
I did supplement VitD3 during lyme as I got low values too. I think it is a lyme problem, caused by lyme or the opposite. Whatever, there are too many people here in LN with low levels of Vit D to be coincidental.
I particularly found that supplementation helped me during lyme disease. I got more energy from it, I felt.
Now I'm lyme free and started the experiment last winter (only in winter), to take Vit D3 to avoid colds. We got AMAZING results, clearly changed the amount of colds we caught at home, whole family (from one cold every 2 weeks more or less, to one cold every two months or so!!!).
We don't have lyme anymore, but for preventing colds in winter, it does help!!!
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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