Low Vitamin D level appears to cause sleep apnea

[inkblot]

She gestures towards interesting connections, but she does herself no favors by her constant overstatements. Until 1600 there was no food in the winter so we hibernated instead of eating? Really? We are exposed to UVB only in the summer? Again, really? She works at a quite crude level. This doesn't mean everything she says is wrong; but I don't know how to trust someone so sloppy.

[RandyJ]

I don't really buy the concept, but I will watch the videos. It seems an easy test would be that if someone's D & B12 levels were correct according to the Dr and he used a cpap at a test pressure of 6 or so, he would have 0 events.

[howkim]

My last Vitamin D level was 83. No change in my need for CPAP.

[cowlypso]

You got my attention, because when I was diagnosed with OSA I was just starting treatment for my vitamin D deficiency (my level was in the single digits!). However, my levels have been normal for 6 months, and it hasn't cured me yet. I still feel miserable if I skip my CPAP. Sure, I had a lot more energy when I started increasing my vitamin D, but not nearly as much as I got from the CPAP. It's only one piece of the puzzle.

[Emilia]

I am no scientist nor a medical researcher, but I came away from the videos agreeing with inkblot that she is prone to overstatement and hyperbole. I understand her excitement of putting a few things together anecdotally, but anecdotal data isn't scientific....and must be proven first. I don't think this will ever become a 'cure,' as she thinks, but I do believe she is right in her correlation of deep sleep and pain/headache/and all the other ailments she talked about. It supports the new study coming out about the need for normal, deep sleep patterns and the connection to Alzheimer's. We may be on the precipice of learning more and more about sleep and its profound impact on all our body systems. I agree with her supposition that our modern ways of living have contributed greatly to our poor sleep, and with that the possibility that our low D3 and B12 are connected to cholesterol, heart, and other issues. Time will tell as this research continues..... In the meantime, I will continue using my cpap (with the great results I've had) along with taking my D3, B12, and magnesium....

[Perrybucsdad]

.... she does feel that there is a very narrow measure of D3/B12 that needs to be met in order for sleep to become the 'cure.'

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner! That's the key right there. Very narrow range, meaning, you will need to work extensively with a doctor for this to work. That means very regular lab tests, etc.

Hey, if they can make this link to OSA, great, but as was stated by Emilia, it sounds like this is still years away from it being a "consistent" treatment.

[Lizistired]

Thanks for posting the link. I listened to it this morning and found it very interesting. Especially the link between cholesterol, D, and statins.
I'll reserve my comments until I have time to watch it and take the time to read the slides.

[Sleeppapotomus]

For me, the proof is in the pudding. If Dr. Gominak is having consistent success treating her patients, I believe it is worth pursuing. It is obvious, and she states flat out, that she is presenting theories. That said, if you were in her position and saw that D was making a difference in your patients, would you just turn your back? The nice thing about all this is I can't really lose by trying the D, and it shouldn't have ill effects, like many prescription drugs. But, I agree with Emelia about big pharma trying to control it as a hormone, if it proves effective.

[msradar65]

I have critical and chronically low Vit D levels. Ihave seenthem as low as 3-7. I am on 50,000u twice a week plus daily 4,000u and still they are way low...never getting above the 20 mark.

[ozij]

Thanks for a facinating link, sleeppapotomus.

[grumpygirl]

Just wondering if any of you who take large amounts of Vit. D3 have seen any side effects ? My D levels are low (around 40) and I have been taking Vit. D 3 regularly for about 1 yr now. I am taking about 3.500 IU per day(most days) and wonder if it would do me some good in relation to my feelings of constant fatique and mild depression if I upped the dose to about 5,000 IU's. In doing that I wonder if I should expect some side effects. Any thoughts from you guys?? I do plan on watching the video tonight when I have more time. Interested in hearing what the Doc has to say. Thanks-GG

[sickwithapnea17]

maybe vit D loss is caused by csa/osa and we should supplement it?
I have metabolic syndrome/diabetes problems too and didn't know about this though I was supplementing vit D few months ago

[Emilia]

Just wondering if any of you who take large amounts of Vit. D3 have seen any side effects ? My D levels are low (around 40) and I have been taking Vit. D 3 regularly for about 1 yr now. I am taking about 3.500 IU per day(most days) and wonder if it would do me some good in relation to my feelings of constant fatique and mild depression if I upped the dose to about 5,000 IU's. In doing that I wonder if I should expect some side effects. Any thoughts from you guys?? I do plan on watching the video tonight when I have more time. Interested in hearing what the Doc has to say. Thanks-GG

You should get tested using the 25 hydroxy D3 test. If your level is lower than the optimal 60-80 range recommended today, you can take the higher doses without issue. I take 8,000 IU's a day to maintain around a 60 level. Everyone is different.... I know a man in his 40's who is a super outdoor athlete, and even with all that sun exposure, he requires 20,000 IU's to maintain a normal level. Some folks are just not able to absorb it well. I scored a 33 and got my levels up to 60 after 3 months of 8,000 IU's a day. But you should be tested! In the videos, you'll hear the doctor say that levels over 95 seem to make folks feel as badly as having too little so it's important not to overdo it.

[Woody]

Thanks for the post . I started taking 2000 iu a day a couple of years ago. After taking it for about 6 months I needed new glasses but this time I needed a weaker perscription. So far I have had to get my glasses changed 3 times always for a
weaker perscription. Now for the first time in 45 years I can pass the driver's eye test without my glasses. The last time I had it checked it was 43 perhaps I need a little more than I am takeing.

[SleepingUgly]

If your level is lower than the optimal 60-80 range recommended today, you can take the higher doses without issue.

Do you have a reference for that? My bone doc seems to think in the 30's is fine.