Vitamin D deficient

I had my blood work done at my pcp last week and she called me today and said everything was good except my vitamin D its an 8 which i guess is really bad.   I know its my fault because i'm really bad about my calcium and the only milk i really drink is in my coffee. Anyone had bad Vitamin D counts? I go to my surgeon tomorrow and i'm sure they are gonna tell me what I have to do but I was wondering if anyone else had this same thing?  andddddddddd I am so nervous about getting yelled at tomorrow #1 for not losing enough I think others lost more than me in the time since my surgery,  and I know that through the holidays I didn't do so great and should have started a regular exercise program sooner.  #2 not taking my calcium  I don't know why I always get so anxcious about going to the docs I have always done it. I'm sure it has something to do with my weight..   OK i'll stop whining!   Thanks for listening  Estelle

People lose at different rates - I highly doubt they will yell at you about that.  I have not had low vitamin D levels, but most calcium supplements (and milk) include vitamin D and you can also look for dry vitamin D supplements.  You should definitely take your calcium (scold) - it may not show up on your blood work as low for years because your body will take it from your bones and your blood levels will look fine.  I hope all goes well with your surgeon tomorrow!

So do you know why my Vitamin D would be so low?

No, I can guess, but that's it.  I know that calcium, A, D, E, and K are malabsorbed with any intestinal bypass, to varying degrees.  Duodenal switch patients have to be especially careful, from what I understand.  I don't know much about your surgery though, does it include a bypass? If you aren't getting much from supplements or diet, and what you are getting is malabsorbed to whatever extent, I can see how it might be low.  I'm sure your surgeon will have helpful info for you.   Best of luck!

Oh yeah - sunshine!  Your body can make vitamin D with the help of some sunshine too!  (I think from beta carotene, but you might want to read up on that one). 

And here I thought you were calling me Sunshine! lol  The gym I joined has tanning so I think I will Tan a few times a week, looks like from what I just read there is mixed feelings about the benefit from a tanning bed but as long as I dont ver do it it should be ok. My surgery is almost the same as the RNY only its stitched and there is a ring that is placedaround the stoma, There is a bypass I duno how much was done thats on e of my questions for tomorrow. Thanks!  Estelle

LOL - you so have a nickname now!  Your surgery sounds cool!  I wish I was stitched instead of stapled.. it sounds so much more gentle ;) I am responding to every post fast I know, don't get tired of me.  This is my first evening without my husband around in about a year and I am sooo bored.  It doesn't help that I don't feel like doing anything because of the tummy ache, so I'm just surfing.  Have a good night Sunshine!

When I was housebound, my Vitamin D was low.  Solution?  Go outside for at least 30 minutes each day. Kix

I'm low on vitamin D too, and I have been taking my calcium regularly and I spent the entire summer outside. So sometimes it happens just because. If you are that low you will need to not only take calcium but add a vitamin D pill with 1000mg. I've begun to do that, hoping it helps. I did hear it takes about 6 months to get your levels back up, so don't expect it to jump quickly. It takes time, especially when you are that low.

Hi Estelle, Before surgery, my labs showed that I too had a low Vit D count. I thought to myself, sheesh, I eat enough cheese. Why did that happen? Well, it turns out that not all dairy has vit D and you get most of it from the sun. I work inside, and I wasn't very active before surgery so of course I wasn't getting enough sun. And I didn't drink milk which is fortified with vit D. Without a sufficient amount of vit D, you can not absorb calcium. This is why they put it in milk. So even if you were taking your calcium, you wouldn't be absorbing it because of your low Vit D count. The solution was going to my regular Dr. and having her write a prescription for a larger dose of vit D. I just had my labs done and my vit D counts are up and looking good. Standing/being active in the sunlight for at least 10 min a day will help. If you use sunscreen, make sure it is no higher than spf 7. Apply higher once you feel you've gotten enough sunlight. Also, it has to be direct sunlight. Vit D won't get to your skin if you are standing behind glass. I read that Vitamin D deficiencies are becoming more common now. I hope this helps, Lucy