Vitamin D Deficiency - Help Please

[nurse2be]

Hi everyone,

I just had my Vitamin D levels tested and they came back at 15. I'm really surprised because I spent a lot of time outside this summer, but I also live in the northern US. But I'm also happy because from what I've read, it could explain alot of my muscle aches and fatigue. I mean some days I wake up and everything aches and I'm thinking "I'm only 22, I'm supposed to be in the prime of life and I feel like I'm 80."

I guess my biggest question is about resources for determining dosages. I don't have insurance so I can't afford to do repeated blood testing. But I don't want to overdose. Is there a resource that details general dosages and time frames for raising Vit D levels. Alot of places said 50,000U a week to raise it, but under doctor's supervision. I saw some resources that recommended 50,000U a week to start for a month or two and then going to a maintenance dose. But then I saw a resource recommending maintenance dosages of 1000U per 25 lbs which would put me at 7000U a day or 49,000U a week. I guess I'm just confused. Also, what exactly does frequent blood testing mean? Every month? Every six months?

Thanks.

[BubblingBrooks]

Best place to start is with a quality cod liver oil.
Only one on the market is not processed, and that is Blue Ice.
D is best absorbed when it is taken with the naturally occurring A, in a 10-1 ratio.
 

[Virginia Mom]

I had levels as low as 4 and 7 when my LYME Disease/ LYME infection was full blown....it was the first marker that we looked at..............has your doctor even discussed an sort of infection? (and just an FYI, standard LYME tests are not 100% reliable----especially if you don't have the typical rash---most doctors will just brush you off)---track how your body feels.

[mbravebird]

While I totally agree with pp that CLO is the place to start and that GreenPastures/Blue Ice is the brand, I have also seen many times that CLO alone is not enough to raise levels that are as low as yours. I think you'll probably be happiest with some large dosing of both D and A at first, and then continue with CLO alone.

I'd recommend the Pure Encapsulations brand of D drops; it's very well absorbed. And do take some sort of fish oil- based form of vitamin A along with it; vitamin D requires A to be properly processed (sort of like calcium requires magnesium), and taking high levels of D will deplete your A levels.

I personally wouldn't do 50,000 units without working with a doctor or having blood tests -- I've heard of people self-dosing up to 10,000 units at once, though, and having success.

Here is a link to the Pure Encapsulations D: http://amzn.to/na1QTN

And a link to a good capsule form of A: http://amzn.to/mUZmeb

HTH!

[mbravebird]

Oh, and I forgot to add: Magnesium is a really important cofactor for Vitamin D, too. Often people will not absorb enough vitamin D when their Magnesium levels are low. You can get good amounts of magnesium from an epsom salts bath every three days; it actually raises the blood magnesium levels higher than oral supps do (and costs less!) (and is more fun!). HTH.

[nurse2be]

Thanks for all your input.

I do take cod liver oil during the winter, although I haven't started this winter yet. My mom has made us take cod liver oil every winter from little on up. I don't know what brand it is though.

When I was searching through threads for information, I ran across a lot of recommendations for Carlson's Vit D drops. So I ordered some yesterday, but I'll keep the other brand in mind for the future. I hadn't heard about the need for combining Vit A with D, I'll remember that. I did run across the vitamin D Council's recommendation for magnesium supplementation. Unfortunately, while your suggestion sounds like a lot more fun than pills I'm lucky to get enough time to take a bath once a month. I'm in nursing school and working 30 hours a week which means I pretty much have no time. I did dig through my mom's vitamin cupboard though and she has magnesium gel capsules, so I'll take those.

I ordered the test through an online lab. I haven't talked to my doctor about anything. I don't have insurance and it is pretty expensive for an office visit. I don't think I have Lymes. I don't have a lot of severe muscle aches. I just get really super tired and my muscle aches go away within two or three hours and it is not every day. I just know this isn't how I should be feeling.

I'm going to see if I can get bloodwork done through the clinic my aunt works at. I know they do iron tests for $5 and complete blood counts for  like $15 so maybe I can get my D levels retested in a month or so for cheap.

Thanks

[es1967]

Although this interview is about kids.  It gives alot of great info on dosing.

http://www.healthychild.com/immune-system-support/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-pregnancy-babies-children/