OT: Vitamin D

[Catnapper]

For those of you who care to read Dr. Mercola, here is a link to what he has to say about vitamin D.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... Truth.aspx

Catnapper - Joanie

[Muse-Inc]

Here's an interesting blog about vitamin D http://www.thevitamindcure.com/blog/

[DreamStalker]

Some D and other info ...

http://drbganimalpharm.blogspot.com/

[DreamStalker]

(DS - deep into an epigenetic project of the self)

(WAVING)

Hi buddy! Glad you're still amongst us if only occasionally!!!! Now I have to go look up "epigenetic".

Huggers,
Babs

Keep 'em in line Babs! Take care sweetie!

[Muse-Inc]

Here's one that'll have ya running for the D3 http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/2007/ ... iency.html Scary.

[stifenhowk]

Hello friends,

Here are some detail and benifits of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is found in many dietary sources such as fish, eggs, fortified milk, and cod liver oil. The sun also contributes significantly to the daily production of vitamin D, and as little as 10 minutes of exposure is thought to be enough to prevent deficiencies. The term "vitamin D" refers to several different forms of this vitamin. Two forms are important in humans: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is synthesized by plants. Vitamin D3 is synthesized by humans in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays from sunlight. Foods may be fortified with vitamin D2 or D3.

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.

Rickets and osteomalacia are classic vitamin D deficiency diseases. In children, vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, which results in skeletal deformities. In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia, which results in muscular weakness in addition to weak bones. Populations who may be at a high risk for vitamin D deficiencies include the elderly, obese individuals, exclusively breastfed infants, and those who have limited sun exposure. Also, individuals who have fat malabsorption syndromes (e.g., cystic fibrosis) or inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease) are at risk.


Thank you!!

[tattooyu]

Well, folks the jury is in! After futzing around with my doctor who ordered only the 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D test a while back (which came up within limits), I took it upon myself to order a vitamin D test kit from ZRT labs through the VitaminDcouncil website. Turns out the cost of the test was less than my copay + taking off work so...

I AM VITAMIN D DEFICIENT!

ZRT "normal" range: 32-100 ng/ml

ZRT "optimal" range: 50-80 ng/ml

Me: 16 ng/ml

I have made an appointment with my primary to discuss supplementation. Why not just start taking vitamin D3? I take Diovan HCT for hypertension, which includes a thiazide diuretic, which can combine with vitamin D to raise calcium levels too high. I want to make sure it's safe before I start taking it. Most likely it won't be a problem if I take between 2,000-5,000 IU a day, but I want to be sure.

Finally, a possible reason for some of my anxiety/depression, fatigue (even with great sleep) and lots of neck/back/muscle/bone aches!

Edit: I also don't digest fat very well; I have IBS and since my gallbladder surgery, it's been worse. That could also be why I'm deficient!

[Muse-Inc]

...I have made an appointment with my primary to discuss supplementation. Why not just start taking vitamin D3? I take Diovan HCT for hypertension, which includes a thiazide diuretic, which can combine with vitamin D to raise calcium levels too high. I want to make sure it's safe before I start taking it. Most likely it won't be a problem if I take between 2,000-5,000 IU a day, but I want to be sure...

I take between 5000 most days with 2-3 days/wk of 10,000 IU D3 and have since last fall; it takes that much to get my levels up to the optimal 70 range. I take Maxzide, a thiazide combo, and have since Apr '07. We've never seen a rise in my calcium level since I started taking D...I tested D at 15 Sept '08. Doc started me on the useless D2 50K/wk for 8 weeks & re-test...18 , doc just couldn't understand <D2 is the plant form >...so with quarterly blood work you can keep a close eye on your levels of both.

Oh, D3 should be taken with fat, easiest is to take with a meal and the gel cap form already with oil. NOW brand is packaged in olive oil, most other forms I've seen are either soy or fish (and they don't say it's molecularly distilled so may have metal contaminants). I've seen mood improvements, less aches in general, less skin irritation, and finally less photosentivity as I don't sunburn in 6 mins like I used to even with SPF 50...sunnier days will see how much time I can safely spend in sunshine.

[nosenabook]

I recently had bloodwork done and was directed to take a prescription supplement for 8 weeks then an OTC supplement of 1000 IU/day. The prescription was for 50,000 IU pills, one pill per week.

The first dose gave me a three day burst of energy, and made me a believer. The rather unfortunate side effects kept me from taking all 8 weeks' worth, but helped over all.

Now I'll be looking for the gels. Thanks for the heads up, my level was low, maybe 7? and more energy is always good.

[tattooyu]

I recently had bloodwork done and was directed to take a prescription supplement for 8 weeks then an OTC supplement of 1000 IU/day. The prescription was for 50,000 IU pills, one pill per week.

The first dose gave me a three day burst of energy, and made me a believer. The rather unfortunate side effects kept me from taking all 8 weeks' worth, but helped over all.

Now I'll be looking for the gels. Thanks for the heads up, my level was low, maybe 7? and more energy is always good.

My sister has SEVERE vitamin D deficiency but is afraid of taking the D2 (50,000 IU) prescription because of the side effects she read about online. What did you experience from it?

I keep telling her to just take 5,000-8,000 IU of D3 daily and then get tested again in about 3-4 months.

[Catnapper]

tattooyu

As you might know, I am not a doctor, so cannot give medical advice. The following is what I do.

This is what I have gotten from my research and from my local compound pharmacist. There is no point in taking the D2 anyway, as your body still has to convert it to D3. If you are not sure, look it up on good old Google. D3 in an oil gel capsule is the way to go. D3 is what you get from the sun.

My doctor told me to take 5,000 units daily, but I have been taking more than that and still have not enough if the blood tests are correct. The way I thought about it was that if you are deficient in D3 it can't hurt you to take a substantial amount of it until you reach the optimum level.

Do what you think is best.

Catnapper - Joanie

[tattooyu]

Went to the doctor and showed him my (online) ZRT Labs results for the 25(OH)D test. He wanted to give me the prescription D2, but I told him I'd rather take the natural D3, so he said to take 2,000 IU (D3) a day. I have a feeling he's following the FDA's upper limit. I'm not sure that's enough to bring up my levels, but we'll see what happens. I'm also trying to get out in the sun more (at least 10 minutes a day).

I'm using the NOW Foods 1,000 IU softgels in Olive Oil, which I had bought a few weeks ago, and taking two of those a day.

He also wants to redo the 25(OH)D test with our lab (Quest) to verify the results. I have no problem with that whatsoever, but he almost wrote the 1,25(OH)D again until I gently "corrected" him. Why do he (and other doctors) think that's a more accurate test?

[NoLegs]

I have a very low Vitamin D level. I take 50,000 iu twice a week. The doctor said I needed to get more sun. He said to take my shirt off and sit in the sun 20 minutes a day to absorb the max amount of Vitamin D. He said the body would make all the body can for the day in 20 minutes. I can tell the difference from a low Vitamin D level and a normal Vitamin D level.

[DreamStalker]

I have a very low Vitamin D level. I take 50,000 iu twice a week. The doctor said I needed to get more sun. He said to take my shirt off and sit in the sun 20 minutes a day to absorb the max amount of Vitamin D. He said the body would make all the body can for the day in 20 minutes. I can tell the difference from a low Vitamin D level and a normal Vitamin D level.

Actually, the rate at which the human body makes vitamin D is different for each person based on their genetics and a few other factors. Generally, the darker the skin, the longer one needs to get sun exposure and the lighter the skin color, the less time needed. In addition, the intensity of the solar radiation depends on latitudinal location of the person and the time of year or season as it also affects sun angle ... and of course there is also the amount of skin exposed, cloud cover, and other atmospheric factors.

Perhaps your doctor considered all those factors for YOU to come up with your 20 minute shirtless recommendation. However if he said "the body" (as in anyone's body) only needs 20 minutes to maintain normal D levels ... you doctor is wrong on that point. I think women should remain shirtless for much longer than 20 minutes

I have managed to optimize my D levels with 5,000 IU of D3 gel caps daily and spend minimal time in the sun. Everybody is different when it comes to optimal levels and how one reaches those levels.

[Muse-Inc]

As we age our ability to convert sunshine to vit D can sometimes be drastically reduced. Some researchers say anyone living in the Northern latitudes simply don't get enough sunlight to make enough D.