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Low Vitamin D

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Posted 2/24/2011 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
What concerns should I have w/ Low Vitamin D. I just saw my breast doctor, and she was concerned that my Vitamin D levels are so low. They were lower than the last 3 months I was tested. She was a bit concern because being a breast cancer survivor, low vitamin D levels can cause cancer.  Does anyone have any input as to the side effects or symptoms of low Vitamin D.  I also have FM and beginning stages of RA and refractory anemia.

Simplistic007

Posted 2/24/2011 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
I have Crohn's disease, but I tested low for Vitamin D back in October and have been working with my doctor to increase it. There has been a connection between low D levels and auto-immune diseases. A lot of people see a decrease in symptoms and pain when they get their D levels up.

Since I started taking a high dose of Vitamin D my Crohn's disease is better and my joint pain I have from my disease is a lot better.

Did you doctor suggest a supplement or what to do to get your levels up?
Posted 2/24/2011 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
I was told to take a vitamin D each day. I started to take it, but I was also told that once you have Vitamin D low levels it is not reversable. Once it is low it remains low. Not sure how true this is, but I did some research online and it stated that it is not reversable once they are low. Maybe the taking a supplement prevents it from getting lower. I do have FM and beginning stages of RA. perhaps this is why my Vit D is very low.
Posted 2/24/2011 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
That is very interesting. A lot of people on the Crohn's board also have low D and have been treated for it and able to increase their levels. I have never heard that low D levels can't be reversed. My doctor started me on high dose Vitamin D and I was just retested and it raised significantly. I am at the normal level, no longer considered deficient. My level is now at 42.

How much D did they say to take each day?
Posted 2/25/2011 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I have also had low Vitamin D and my rheumy put me on the high prescription dose of Vit D and after while - around 1 month it came back to normal. I don't think is true that it is not reverable...

Now my vit D is normal but I still take the it in pills just normal daily dose.

I was also low in Iron and needed to start to take all vitamins daily.

Good luck to you!

Posted 2/25/2011 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
That is good to know. I read a lot of material online so a lot could be garbage too. I just started taking V D 1000mg everyday. I was diagnosed this a while ago, but I did not take because it gave me stomach pains. I am attempting to start again and I have taking it w/ meals so maybe it will not aggravate my stomach. I have a lot of sensitivity to meds as well as vitamins and this is why I do not take them. Thank you for the support. I see my Rheumy on Mon so I am sure he will tackle this. I appreciate your input. God Bless.
Simplistic007
Posted 2/25/2011 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I take a vitamin D supplement twice a month on the 1st and 15th, its a large dose and prescribed, vitamin D supplement can
also help with pain.
Hope you ask your doctor about a supplement soon, it's also needed for bone health.
Posted 2/25/2011 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
I'm no Chron's expert but thinking maybe the reason sufferers have low D is due to malabsorption or maybe you are losing it if you have diarrhea?

I take 2000 UI of D a day and you know I really do think my RA pain has lessened. I am saying this after being off MTX for 8 weeks now. I want to be cautious when saying that- when I say lessened...I still have daily pain and when it hurts it hurts- but it seems to be less often during the day. Also my hands and feet used to hurt with every step or hand movement and they do not anymore. Or maybe after 3 years I'm getting used to it and don't notice it....oh I don't know if I know what I'm talking about. But I will continue to take D.

Posted 2/25/2011 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
So do the Vitamin D levels, iron levels, and low acting thyroid have to do with RA? I am in the midst of my Rhuemy coming up with his dx based on reaction to meds, high inflammation on the bone scan, increased crp. My pr dr. tested me and vit d,thyroid, and iron were very low. He started me on all meds. for them. i hadn't mentioned it to my Rhuemy(didn't really think about it) but should I? Do they go hand in hand with auto-immune diseases? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. take care Heather
Posted 2/26/2011 9:52 AM (GMT 0)
I was also told I have low vitamin D. I did not notice a difference after taking the supplement for 3 months but I also have not had my level repeated to see if it is normal now.

As a nurse I see many "trends" in healthcare and checking vitamin D levels are the new "trend". The US standard recommendations are too low for supplements (400 iu) when most people need 2000-5000 iu daily. Also, people are in an office/work when the sun is out and arent absorbing this vitamin. This level seems to be low in everyone so dont look into it too much!
Whatever the answer I hope that the supplements help relieve some pain for everyone!
Posted 2/26/2011 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Snickerdoodle, thank you for the information. The only reason I wanted to know more about Low Vit D is because my General Surgeon, who is my breast cancer doctor was a bit concerned. Because I have a history of breast cancer, having the low Vit D levels concerned her and she thought I should discuss w/ my Rheumy to further evaluate me and get the levels back to normal. Up until now, I have not been taking any supplements so maybe taking just a 1000 IU will do the trick. I had not been taking the supplement because it causes my stomach to get upset. I am trying it w/ food now. Hopefully this will do the trick.
Simplistic007
Posted 2/27/2011 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I read somewhere or maybe my doctor told me too that many vit D levels are coming back low. Still they recommended additional vit D (I had some with the calcium). Thanks for the info Snickerdoodle.
Posted 3/4/2011 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
I also had low Vit. D, but I had been taking colchicine (a gout med) and I figured that may have caused it. Since so many of us with inflamation are or have been low on it they should check that if not all vitamin levels when they see folks with inflamatory disease walk in the door. Way too many of us to be a kwinkydink. My wife is ALWAYS on me about taking supplements and I hate to take stuff, it just don't seem natural. I eat plenty and figure I ought to get my vitamins from food. She Made me start taking 1400 iu daily about a week ago. Took my first MTX Monday, hurt much worse Tue., a little less Wed. and pain is 80% less today. Took 5 Norco yesterday, 2 today. MTX ain't supposed to work that fast, probably unheard of. Isn't a placelo effect as I hurt so bad last 2 days. Could it be from the vit. D? When I was checked I took a 400 iu daily for about 4 weeks and it didn't help a bit. Rheumy has't rechecked it
Posted 3/5/2011 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I also have low vitamin D. I been getting blood tests lately due to some abnormalities that have been found. My vitamin D was too low and they also found inflammation what does that mean? Since my neurologist is the one who caught the problem he recommended I see a rheumatologist. I made the appointment and then chickened out so I cancelled. I'm 19 though so what could be the cause? I get alot of pain in my joints like my knuckles, my knees, my elbows but my hands sometimes get to the point to where I can't even zip up my jacket. :( I'm kinda scared
Posted 3/7/2011 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
hi, i take 4800 iu of d3 a day and it has changed my life so much . i am a ulcerative colits person and from the research i have done its most likely that all or most auto immune patients are just very low on the d. it took about a month for me to really see it but man i can tell.
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