Well, I've had a medical test, and the results have astounded (and in a strange way, also pleased) me. When testing Vitamin D levels, a normal reading is between 30 and 80. Mine was 5. No, that's not a typo. I mean single-digit 5.

I'm astounded it was so low, because I'm quite certain I eat a diet high enough in Vitamin D that if the cloudy weather around here were to create a deficiency, it wouldn't be as low as all that. We eat a lot of salmon, tuna, and other seafood at our house, which are high on the list. Research tells me that certain conditions such as IBS, which I have, interfere with the absorption of Vitamin D, and that makes sense. Needless to say, I'm to be started on supplements as soon as possible.

Why does it please me? Because it explains so much. Vitamin D deficiency can create muscle aches, joint pain, weakness, fatigue, messed-up sleep patterns, and depression. How many of those things do I deal with? All of them. It's a relief to be able to point to a number and say, "Here is what's wrong. I'm not making excuses. I'm not lazy or unmotivated. I'm simply malnourished." I have renewed hope now, that maybe when we bring my levels up to healthy, I might be more energetic and less, well, just sleepy all the time.

From looking into what is rich in Vitamin D, it looks as if I may have to add some breakfast cereals back to my diet. I had been eliminating them to go low-carb. Looks like a session with my dietitian is in order too.

[Vibe]

That stuff really can be amazing if you're deficient. I always kind of knew I wasn't getting enough, but I had no idea just how much of an effect it had until I started taking supplements a couple weeks ago. I felt better almost immediately, and at first I thought it must just be a placebo effect. However it has really helped in the long run. I'm not entirely 'better,' but I do have a much higher level of functioning, more energy, and I'm not so down. And when I accidentally miss a day of supplements, I'm usually reminded before the end of the day by a deteriorating mental state.

I also understand how it must be nice to get a medical test and actually have a number be off which explains your condition. It gives a sense of power in this instance, because there's something you can do about it. Plus it validates your experiences. Mental illness can feel elusive and less valid than physical difficulties, so getting a physical test and hearing, 'oh, here's the problem,' can be fulfilling. I do hope the supplements and cereal help you out some.

I've heard from several people who were also deficient and say they feel worlds better, now that they're at normal levels. I've had to take antidepressants for years and also have PTSD, so I'll probably still have problems with depression. But I'm sure getting the Vitamin D taken care of will improve things.

[lynn P.]

Wow that's really very low, but at the same time it's hopeful you might feel better once your levels are boosted. Make sure you have your levels tested a second time to make sure it rises, since you has IBS - which can affect absorbtion. To back this up make a point of going in the sun - you only need 5-30 min without sunscreen twice a week.

I've been taking 1,000mg for 3 yrs, yet when I had my levels checked, even I was low a little -now I'm on a higher supplement. I definitely need to get a little more sun. I hope once your levels come up, this will make a difference in how you feel. Here a good website:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp

[Perna]

Make sure your doctor prescribes your supplements/tells you which to take or gives you shots. OTC aren't necessarily helpful and/or can be badly done and harm.

"Vitamin D toxicity can result from regular excess intake of this vitamin, and may lead to hypercalcemia and excess bone loss. Individuals at particular risk include those with hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, or histoplasmosis. Chronic hypercalcemia may lead to serious or even life-threatening complications, and should be managed by a physician." http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vit...SECTION=safety

[Skully]

I take a vitamin that has calcium and vitamin D. I too was deficient in vitamin D so I make sure I take my supplement daily and when it is sunny outside I will spend an hour outside. The sun is a great source of vitamin D, don't ask me how or why, but it is!

[(JD)]

My most recent testing showed a total lack of Vitamin D3. I'm on 5000 IUs a day for a month, then 2500 IUs a day for 2 months, after which I will be retested. What a God-send test if you ask me! The inability to lose weight, high cholesterol and a number of other issues can be attributed to low vitamin D 3.

[Rhapsody]

I am right there with you - I was deemed Vitamin D Deficient about 6 months ago and have been placed on supplements every since... the heat/sun and I are no longer friends with the medical condition I have and with some of the medicine I take.

Originally Posted by (JD)

My most recent testing showed a total lack of Vitamin D3. I'm on 5000 IUs a day for a month, then 2500 IUs a day for 2 months, after which I will be retested. What a God-send test if you ask me! The inability to lose weight, high cholesterol and a number of other issues can be attributed to low vitamin D 3.

Inability to lose weight? You mean that's connected too? Wow.

[feddy]

Me too! Just found out. I also have IBS and am seriously deficient in vitamin D. Had no idea that it was linked to an inability to lose weight (I have been trying for a LONG time.) Great info here...thanks everyone for posting, I have learned quite a bit. I am on a good supplement now but after reading am going to make sure that I get retested in a few months.

Much appreciated...thanks for this post.

[Perna]

I just got diagnosed today and was prescribed 50,000 units, once a week for 12 weeks then we'll do once a month I think he said. Ugh. I'm trying to do my homework; first thing I figured out is my antacid has to go, it's got magnesium in it. But I'm curious to see if I'll feel any effects. There were a lot of negative side effects on one site I read but looked like a lot of bizarre things on there too, which I thought probably not related to the D, so I'm not too concerned yet; will see in a month or so.

Good things I might experience look to be better sleep and less aches and pains but some of those might be related to other problems I have; I wasn't expecting a Vitamin D deficiency (and we have gotten blood tests 2-3 times a year for the last 3 or so years for this same doctor so hard to believe it just happened; I think he just read something and got a bee in his bonnet, LOL) so, we'll see what we see, hope it isn't something out of left field that takes me a zillion years to figure out for myself and another zillion to convince the doctor of and then a third zillion to recover from!

[(JD)]

Retesting tomorrow. So, we'll see.

[ECHOES]

Perna, I also just started on the once a week 50,000 units of Vitamin D. My doctor told me that low Vitamin D levels have recently been linked with some cancers, and so he began testing for it. I live in a very sunny state and my Vit D level is 10. lol

Then I had a DXA and now am being advised to take a calcium/Vit D in addition (like OsCal). Another 200 units of Vit D and 600 of Calcium.

[Perna]

Yes, I had the DXA scan a few months ago; my bones/calcium are good :-) I don't know what this is about, didn't ask my reading (as I didn't know what it was "supposed" to be yet so. . .) There's lots of Grade "C" researches that have been done, meaning need more research :-) but the whole bandwagon thing bothers me; doctors/public doesn't wait just jumps in and then a year or two down the road it's like, "Wait! Stop! We were wrong" and I hate getting caught up in that. I had to take too much Levaquin antibiotic to save my life and it was before they admitted that really bad things can happen (and I had some of the symptoms) but I don't want to be part of that again and don't think I'm in any danger without this D thing, at the moment, to not be able to wait. I'm giving it 4 weeks and if I have side effects I don't like, guess what :-)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vit...CTION=evidence

[ECHOES]

I know what you mean. Those bandwagons have a tendency to break down....

In this, I do trust my doc though. He is not a latest theory groupie, or latest/greatest med groupie. When my insurance changed drastically, he (outwardly) had no qualms about switching a couple of my meds to inexpensive meds I can get at places like Walmart. I like that good enough is good enough with him.

It is good to have skepticism and to trust your own mind

[Perna]

I'm so excited, tomorrow I take my second pill So far, so good I think. I was a little worried at first but that turned out to be eating too many sweet cherries! Who knew I was sensitive to them, I didn't use to be, LOL.

[krzyk101]

I had no clue that I was vitamin D deficient until I went to an endocrinologist and they did a lot of blood work in that the endocrinologist saved my life by finding the vitamin D deficiency and also finding my underlying diabetes and that I am not producing testosterone. I am now on 10,000U of Vitamin D3, a day and it is in a single compounded capsule by prescription from a compounding pharmacy. It has helped me and I hope that this Vitamin will help you as well. Take Care, KK101

[Perna]

Yes, I'm very pleased; my sleep, mood, aches and pains, and asthma appear to be doing better. I think I'm going to have to educate my doctor on the D2/D3 controversy though; they do work the "same" but the D2 isn't as potent and its underlying complicated science I can't quite follow may not be the same.