Vit D Def

Has anyone had a Vitamin D deficiency?  I had some blood drawn and I am very low.  My doctor wants me to start on 1000units of Vit D per day.

Any ideas???

Thanks,

Robin

I'm sure Pam will tell you how many units, but get dry d3, that's very important.  And of course enjoy the summer sun.

Good luck,

Edie

Edie,

Sorry...who's  Pam??

She's a woman who's VERY educated in vit's and minerals we need and is on this form every day.  Give her time, she'll respond :).  As I said you definitely need dry d3, but the correct units Pam will more than likely be able to tell you.

Pam.....were are you?????  Don't make a liar out of me!!

Edie

Hey Edie -

I'm here!  I'm here! 

Yesterday was crazy so I wan't back on OH much after my morning jaunt.  If anyone ever needs me the best thing to do is shoot me a PM -- that alert pops up on my screen and I'll come running.  LOL!

Pam

Probably if everybody who lives in Michigan had their vitamin D checked, they would be deficient.   It comes with the long dark winters.   Sun is the cure.   (Use sunscreen though) 

I've read that it is impossible for us to absorb what we need from the sun from Nov to March, no matter how long were in the sun every day if you live north of the Kentucky-Tennessee border, if your in Canada -north it's Oct to April.

Yes, absolutely, that is why we are all Vitamin D deficient.   While there are not many recent outbreaks of "rickets" in the state, it does not hurt to supplement our vitamin D.   I guess my point was for the poster not to feel that she is alone in her vitamin D deficiency, most people are.   Most calcium supplements have added vitamin D and vitamin K to enhance absorption of calcium.   Does not look like there will be a lot of sun today to replace that "D"

Hi Robin -

I'm me... the infamous Pam.  LOL!  (Everyone uses my name in vain around here, it seems.) 

Ok, let's start with what your lab results are.  Do you know the number?  And what is the range for "normal" that your lab gave you?  Typically most labs have a range of about 30-100 for 25(OH)D (the official name of the Vitamin D test).  Some labs actually break out what your total Vitamin D2 and D3 numbers are, then give you a sum of the two. 

Also, did you have your PTH (parathryoid) tested?  Consistantly low Vitamin D coupled with high PTH is the classic indicator that your body is not absorbing calcium from supplements and food and it's leeching calcium from your bone and teeth.  Let this go long enough and you'll end up with osteoporosis.

It is shown that lab levels below 50 simply mean your body is using the Vitamin D as fast as you're putting it in.  It's not until you hit that 50 ng/ml mark that your body is able to store Vitamin D for later use.  Studies have also shown that levels over 80 have major health benefits such as reduced risks of prostate, colon and breast cancers, reduced risk for MS and more.  As RNY'ers we want our level to be up in the 89-90 range year round.

Have you had your surgery yet?   (I don't see a date under your name, so I'm going to assume you have not.)

The RDA for Vitamin D - for healthy people with no deficiency - is 800IU per day.  And we all know that the RDA suggestion is just enough to keep us alive, not necessarily healthy.

The Vitamin D Council (google it, it's a great resource) -- has found through new studies that healthy adults who have good Vitamin D levels should be taking 2,000IU per day to maintain their healthy levels.  For those who need to fix a deficiency should be taking 5,000IU/day.  Studies also show that doses up to 10,000IU do not cause any toxicity or damage if taken on a daily basis under a doctor's care. 

Being in the sun for 30 minutes a day can allow the body to produce about 10,000IU.  This is "full body" exposure ... so tank top and shorts ... and without sunscreen.  Of course this needs to be tempered with the risk of skin cancer and skin damage from UVB exposure.

For many RNY'ers who malabsorb Vitamin D it is not unusual to see doses of 50,000IU per day for 30-90 days and being retested regularly.  My last labs showed a Vitamin D level of 34 and I'm on a round of 50k D3 once per day for 30 days, then every other day for 60 days and will be retested at the 90-day mark.  But this is being done under the supervision of my doctor. 

Also remember that the body is better able to utilize Vitamin D3 (not D2).  If you are post-op, you want a "dry" formula that is water soluble.  If you're pre-op, the regular oil-based formula is fine since your'e not malabsorbing fats.

So, I guess what I'm saying is.... if your lab levels are really low, 1000IU isn't going to touch that deficiency.  You need to be much more aggressive.

Ok, enough rambling.  Holler if you have questions.
Pam

Hi,

So...you are the famous Pam, thanks for  getting with me.  My number was 15! and I know its bad, I work in a lab and draw blood.

I had my RYN 6 years ago and for the past 2 years have had a ton of health issues.  I wil start the 1000 and see what happens. I will also draw a PTH and see how that is

Thanks so much for your post.

Robin