Vitamin D Deficiency

[tiggerblue10]

Following a rheumatology appointment last week I was sent for a blood test and the result was that I have a severe vitamin D deficiency. I do suffer a lot of the symptoms associated with lack of vit D.

The consultant has asked for me to be prescribed 60,000 iu Colecalciferol per week for 8-12 weeks and then 1000-2000 maintenance after that.

I've checked which foods naturally contain vit D and I do eat most of them regularly so what other reasons would there be for the deficiency?

[Mamyalynne]

Lack of sunlight is the biggest contributor.

[ummmm]

I am too. I was given 3 months of tablets, 1 a day, and a stronger one that was liquid that was once a month.

Did anything else come up in your blood tests?

I'm also VitB deficient and they both have similar side effects. It's not pleasant.

[tiggerblue10]

I haven't been out much lately as feeling a bit down but its quite sunny here today so may pop out for a short walk.

I guess many people suffer with some degree of deficiency during the winter months.

[tiggerblue10]

No, everything else seems normal. The main reason for the referral to rheumatology was frequent body stiffness, back ache etc.

[ummmm]

Yes, that's what I got. All my joints were painful. Did they ask about your balance?

[pastafreak]

Vitamin D from sunlight is absorbed through the skin, and since we don't get regular, year-round sunlight here, most of us will be deficient at least part of the year. And food probably can't give us enough.

[tiggerblue10]

My balance is very poor and when I went for physio last year and was asked to stand on one foot I just wobbled a lot and kept putting the other foot down.

[ummmm]

Sounds like me Tiggs.

Do you feel sick much? Nausea?

[tiggerblue10]

Not sure if this is another reason but I have quite small feet with very high arches.

[tiggerblue10]

Yes, every now and again I feel nauseous and dizzy.

[ummmm]

I doubt it.

Vit B and Vit D deficiency can cause balance problems or weakness in the muscles.

What did they test you for when you had your blood tests? I can't remember what I was tested for but there was a long list.

[ummmm]

How is your blood pressure?

[tiggerblue10]

Can't remember but I know thyroid was one of them and nothing was mentioned about that so no issue there. The others were medical terms but might be able to find out from my doctor when I next go.

[tiggerblue10]

That wasn't checked but it was slightly low a few years ago.

[ummmm]

Mine is really low as well. I was told I have to drink as much fluids as I can, except coffee and alcohol, they don't count apparently!! Party poopers!!

[tiggerblue10]

I can't start my day unless I have a least one coffee in the morning.

I do feel quite anxious at the moment for other reasons and head is ringing!

[ummmm]

Coffee is fine. They just said don't include it in your fluid intake. They didn't advise not to drink fizzy drinks. I was in hospital last year and was on a drip to get my blood pressure up. They were happy with whatever I drank. Obviously they advised water but coffee and alcohol were fine in moderation as long as I drank water or watered down squash.

If you can get out in the sun, it'll be great but our weather is so hit and miss, you need more than one day in the sun.

Any chance of a holiday? I know you have little Tiggs which makes it harder and more expensive x

[ummmm]

Lol...that sounded like they let me drink alcohol in hospital :-)

[tiggerblue10]

Just popped out for a drive to my GP to hand the letter in for my prescription and they hadn't even received their copy in the post yet! Anyway, they took a copy and said it would be ready to pick up late Monday/early Tuesday.

Parked further away so we could do a bit of walking as well as its sunny and we popped to the pharmacy so I could get some VitD to take in the meantime. They are 400 iu per tab and Pharmacist said to take 2 but I've taken 3.

Ummmm, I've heard Guinness was good for expectant mums many moons ago so wouldn't surprise me if they were given it in hospital ;o)

[tiggerblue10]

Hoping to go to Cyprus when Little Tiggs breaks up in July. I've developed a fear of flying which doesn't help although I'm flying up to Glasgow on 4th March for work.