OT: Vitamin D Testing

[Slinky]

Unfortunately, I had enough trouble w/heat and humidity BEFORE being put on my current Crohn's meds. Both make me sensitive to sun light and sun BURN. *sigh*

Ahhh, the days I can sit in my hubby's air chair under the white birch tree's shade.

[AirBreather]

These two pages at university websites contain interesting information about Vitamin D that seems to be authoritative:

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/v ... /vitaminD/

http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/opvitD.html

Notice here that a study of Vitamin D levels in 13,331 adults in the US over 8.7 years shows mortality increases with either high or low levels of Vitamin D just like with some of the other steroid hormones http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/ ... #mortality.

It looks from that plot that a Serum 25(OH)D Level, ng/mL in the mid 30's is about optimum if the objective is to have the lowest risk of death from all causes.

[bearded_two]

I just ordered a bottle of 50,000 iu D3. From what I have gathered from several web sites, taking 50,000 iu D3 (otc) per week is much better than 50,000 iu D2 (script). A half hour of direct, mid-day, summer sun exposure (without sunscreen) is better than either.

[momadams]

I've been chasing my Vit D levels for a year now.
My doc sent me to an endocrinolgist who tried the 50,000 iu prescription D2 route again, but told me to BITE THE CAPSULE.
Apparently the generic D2 capsules don't dissolve well.
Seemed to work, according to the most recent test.

[roster]

You may want to rethink your ability to get sufficient vitamin D from sun exposure.

According to one study of 93 residents of Hawaii with sun exposure of 29 hours per week, 51% of this population had low vitamin D status.

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/conten ... /92/6/2130

[WearyOne]

I've read that one of the reasons is not necessarily lack of sun exposure, but lack of sun exposure WITHOUT sunscreen (which might help explain the Hawaiian article Rooster mentioned?). If I'm understanding correctly, as we use higher and higher sun protection/sun block to help reduce skin cancer, we're also blocking whatever it is that creates Vitamin D in our bodies. And even then without sunscreen, it's still probably not be enough to correct extremely low numbers.

Pam

[roster]

Could be, WearyOne, but I have seen this,

There has been some concern that use of sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 results in vitamin D deficiency. However, a randomized trial in people over 40 years of age found that sunscreen use over the summer had no effect on 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels.

http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/3rduspstf/sk ... skcarr.htm

[sleepyred]

I am kind of jumping into this thread - I was dx with severe low Vitamin D and took the 8 week course of RX pills. Told to go on 1,000 units per day for maintenance. However, I have had extreme thirst since being on either supplement - RX or OTC. I have always had to "remember" to drink my 6-8 glasses of water - now I just cannot stop drinking water! So strange - blood sugar levels are fine - has any one else had this side effect from Vitamin D supplements (I am taking the chewy ones with calcium) now. Stopped them for two days - and not severely thirsty?????? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Obviously I could just stop taking them - but I don't want to risk bone issues since I'm in m 50's.

[WearyOne]

Hi, sleepyred. No, I haven't had that reaction, but I did do some internet searching after I read your post and I do see that excessive thirst CAN be one of many symptoms of too much Vitamin D. Have you been tested again after having been on the higher doses? One thing I continually see recommended is that you need to get retested every three months or so to make sure you're getting enough and to make sure you're not getting too much, at least until things stabilize.

I'm going to get tested today to see if I'm low, which will probably mean HOW low not IF.

Pam

[roster]

I am kind of jumping into this thread - I was dx with severe low Vitamin D and took the 8 week course of RX pills. Told to go on 1,000 units per day for maintenance. However, I have had extreme thirst since being on either supplement - RX or OTC. I have always had to "remember" to drink my 6-8 glasses of water - now I just cannot stop drinking water! So strange - blood sugar levels are fine - has any one else had this side effect from Vitamin D supplements (I am taking the chewy ones with calcium) now. Stopped them for two days - and not severely thirsty?????? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Obviously I could just stop taking them - but I don't want to risk bone issues since I'm in m 50's.

I don't know what is causing your thirst however, anyone using a nasal mask should make sure they are not mouthbreathing. Mouthbreathing causes not only dry mouth, but also rapid evaporation of moisture from the body.

[sleepyred]

I was just retested - and level went up - but not to quite to minimum level. Go back in 3 more months.

Rooster - I wondered that - but my cpap has not changed - I use a pap cap, nasal mask, humifider - but this thirst business started 1 week after starting the vitimin d supplements. Did not take them yesterday, and my thirst is diminishing. Strange.

I know it is listed as a side effect - but wonder what to do.....

[WearyOne]

I ALWAYS wake up with a dry mouth; some days are worse than others. Using a mask that covers my mouth keeps all the air in there for treatment, but I still have the dry mouth sometimes to the point of my lower lip being stuck to my teeth and tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth in the morning!

Which D are you using, D2 or D3? I know the prescription was probably D2. Are you taking the same type (D2 or D3) on maintenance (other than the dosage) that you were in the beginning? If so, since you say it started about a week after you started taking the supplements, maybe if you've been using D2 all along you could try D3. (D2=ergocalciferol; D3=cholecalciferol) Most OTC's are D3, but not all of them. Did your excessive thirst lessen at all when you went to the maintenance dose? Just some random thoughts!

Since the excessive thirst seems to have diminished when you didn't take it for a day or two, maybe try taking it again and see if it returns. If it does, I would talk with your physician.

Pam

[sleepyred]

Thanks - I was on the RX little blue gels for 8 weeks - once a week. Now I am taking two Viactiv chews twice a day - same excessive thirst. And it perhaps not coincidental began the week after I took my 1st RX pill. The box does not say which Vit. D (Edit - it is vitamin D 3) - need to research this more - thanks!

I ALWAYS wake up with a dry mouth; some days are worse than others. Using a mask that covers my mouth keeps all the air in there for treatment, but I still have the dry mouth sometimes to the point of my lower lip being stuck to my teeth and tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth in the morning!

Which D are you using, D2 or D3? I know the prescription was probably D2. Are you taking the same type (D2 or D3) on maintenance (other than the dosage) that you were in the beginning? If so, since you say it started about a week after you started taking the supplements, maybe if you've been using D2 all along you could try D3. (D2=ergocalciferol; D3=cholecalciferol) Most OTC's are D3, but not all of them. Did your excessive thirst lessen at all when you went to the maintenance dose? Just some random thoughts!

Since the excessive thirst seems to have diminished when you didn't take it for a day or two, maybe try taking it again and see if it returns. If it does, I would talk with your physician.

Pam

[sleepyred]

I emailed the vitamin d council and received a very nice response - but what now?

"Vitamin D3 itself is biologically inert (its metabolic product, calcitriol, is what acts in the body) and so there are no side effects caused directly by the vitamin D itself.
However, excessive thirst can be a symptom of magnesium deficiency, which rising vitamin D levels have been known to exacerbate.
Make sure to receive adequate magnesium when supplementing with vitamin D. If your thirst persists, you should discuss it with your doctor as it may be a symptom of an unrelated condition."

My blood work also showed a slightly elevated calcium level (told this was because of vitamin D supplements?- so how do I get D3, magnesium without calcium? I some how thought you needed calcium to absorb magnesium? Help please! Looks like I am getting somewhere here!

Thanks so much!

[momadams]

My doc had warned me to NOT supplement calcium while increasing my vitamin D levels. I guess I've found the reason in your post.