Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

suehill — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:48:56 GMT

Dr Mercola, I've just had the results of the 25 Hydroxy Vit D blood test, and I'm concerned!

Not for deficiency, but too high? I'm taking 1100 iu a day, as multi vit, vit D etc for osteoporosis, which is what I was advised to take. My doctor didn't want me to have the blood test, so isn't very forthcoming. The results are Total 25-OH Vit D2 + D3: 75 nmol/L, - but then it says 25 hydroxy D2 >6 nmol/L and 25-hydroxy Vit D3 is 98.6 nmol/L. Isn't that excessive? Especially as my suppliments are fairly normal. I live in the UK, so no sun!!

I don't want to un do the calcium good I'm trying to do, as my GP keeps on at me about taking the biophosphates, which I'm refusing. Please advise me, thank you.

Sue H

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

bigfig — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:21:59 GMT

I am a 48 YO woman with MS, my main symptoms are Leg pain and fatigue. I have been doing a lot of online research about supplementing with high doses of Vit D3 and have heard a lot of really great results. I had my dr do a Vit D test and the results were Vit D 25 Hydroxy level is 34.6 and the Vit D 1.25 level was 76. My Dr. did not know the reason for one being low and the other slightly high. If I supplement will I risk toxcicity? I am super confused and would appreciate some insight. Thank you!

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

m schmidt — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:10:19 GMT

I had my vitamin d tested (the right test) by Quest, and I have an autoimmune disorder (Scleroderma). My value came back as 33, which if I divide by 1.3, brings me to 25.38!! I have a very "open-minded" doctor who has me on AP therapy but, I had to ask for the Vitamin D test. I'm currently using a D3 supplement from Pure Encapsulations, at 5,000 IU/pill. How do I approach the subject with my doctor about a "safe" dose of Vitamin D? Right now I'm only taking 1 capsule, and am sure I probably need to take more. I'm worried that since my blood test shows me in the "normal" range, my doctor won't think it's a big deal. My thyroid, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are in the toilet as well.

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

dsmommy — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:34:15 GMT

I hate New York State.....Why is it the only state where you can't do the home testing for vitamin D? I was sooo disappointed when I found this out, because obviously that is where I live. What do I do if I wanted to get tested and my doctor won't do it? Is the test expensive?

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

TinaRN — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:45:14 GMT

I have a question . I have sarcoidosis and from my research, they found some granulomas encapsulate a cell wall deficient microbe like TB. Your immune system will attack microbes via the use of Vit D. Vit D levels rise in sarcoidosis pts. I have thought for a while now ,it is the body's way of killing this microbe. Your body may ache because of the kill rate and toxic biproduct of that kill. It seems to me Vit D rises as a natural immune response and may even need extra amounts to rid the body of the microbe. Having blood serum levels of 25(OH)D3 , at 70ng/ml , Vitamin D3 would help facilitate this process, as long as the body can tolerate the toxic byproduct.

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

mtmorrismom1 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:04:24 GMT

I just had a friend of mine tell me that her MD prescribed Vit. D3 because she was Vitamin D deficiant. He gave her a prescription for 50,000 iu - take 1 every 2 weeks. I couldn't believe this. Why would you take that much at one time? She felt really sick each time she took them. Any feedback on this would be appreciated.

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

aidanus — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:19:21 GMT

Cheers Dr Mercola for clearing that up for me. Sometimes it can get confusing seaching online with so many contradictory theorems at hand. once again many thanks

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

aidanus — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:55:25 GMT

I am a bit confused . After reading several months ago about Dr Mercolas recommendation on vitamin d I started my familt on vitamion d . However recently I have seen reports on connection between brain lesions and vitamin d and calcium intake. I read this thoroughlyand it concluded that calcium was not a factor but most definitely vitamin D is responsible for these lesions. Can someone preferably Dr Mercols himself comment on this as the advice this site seems to advocate is total avoidance of all ingested vitamin d both supplemental and natural and follow a plan called the marshall protocol

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

Sandi P — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:26:02 GMT

I just got my Vitamin D test back from my doctor. She did the 25 Hydroxy through Labcorp and my results were 15.1. Her medical assistant said the normal ranges are between 32 and 100 and that I should take 2,000 units of D3 per day. If I supplement with Vitamin D, how often do you recommend having the Vitamin D blood test redone? And should I be concerned with taking 6,000 units?

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

suetrump — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:07:10 GMT

I had cataract surgery and asked the Doctor to give me UV B permeable lens. She did give me some reasons why not. I have been working with and teaching color and color therapy for over 20 years. I knew that I needed to have my eye able to receive the suns healing rays. She said it is a bit thicker lens and will need a stitch. That was fine with me as I was not going to give up good light.

So, if cataract surgery is in your future ask for the UV permable lens and keep the sunlight shining.

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

ghalbader — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:30:29 GMT

I recently had lab work and was faxed the results with no explanation. I read your article which was quite interesting but a lot to understand. Vitamin 25 (oh)D2 AND (oh)D3 was 26 nmol/L. what is your advice please.

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

FriscoGirl — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:56:23 GMT

I was diagnosed with a severe Vitamin D deficiency of less than 15 (despite lots of sun exposure and eating at least 2 egg yolks per day, lots of good cheese, ocean going salmon several times per week and taking 1200 units per day with fossilized coral calcium and Albion chelated magnesium and other supplements).

Is there a disease or underlying condition that can cause this? I am only 48 and this came as a surprise.

After initial treatment all my osteoarthritis pain and lack of joint mobility (thumb, elbow and knee) has vanished, as well as severe reactions to spider and insect bites (3 bouts of cellulitus in less than 2 months - the reason they tested my blood in the first place).

I have had for about 2 years slightly high blood pressure (140/90) and have been gaining weight on a steady pace of several pounds a month despite dieting (veggies and lean meat - olive oil or butter - no carbs) until being given oral supplementation.

They were surprised that calcium levels were good - but the parathyroid hormones are off. I had my thyroid removed in 1980 with radioactive iodine and am on 175 mgc - though I feel better at 200 and am not cold all the time - but they rely upon the blood test results.

I am pretty active - at least 50 flights of stairs per day at a rapid pace and at least 30 minutes per day of walking - and rarely sit still for more than 20 minutes at a time.

I was addicted (truly) to Diet Coke and drank almost 2 gallons per day. Stopped cold turkey November 1 - coincidentally which is when I started getting the spider/insect bites.

What causes Vitamin D deficiency if you are getting sunshine (no soap washing on exposed areas), getting it in your diet, and taking supplements??

I want to make sure that there is no other underlying disease conditions that need to be looked at.

Thanks.

re: re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

s goff — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:29:37 GMT

My husband was recently diagnosed with diabetes. I believe one of the major reasons was his gingivitis. He always brushed his teeth after breakfast and before bed, but he didn't always floss, no matter how many times I gently reminded him. Recently, gingivitis has been linked to not only heart disease but diabetes (sorry, can't remember source). The second reason I believe was due to his high blood pressure and soda habit. He would sneak a 20-oz Coke whenever he could and would down them like water when he was younger. He WAS only about 30 pounds overweight had had a mild sweet tooth, aside from the Coke. He also was a big bread and rice eater. He tried Metformin and the first day he was so sick he felt like he wanted to "explode from all ends," he said. He has since then not taken one single pill of Metformin. I was appalled at what the so called hospital experts were advising he eat. For one meal they said he could have 1 egg, one piece of TOAST with MARGARINE, one glass of ORANGE JUICE and one 1/2 a banana! WOW--MAJOR CARB OVERLOAD! For dinner: turkey, mashed POTATOES, CARROTS, A ROLL, MARGARINE, SUGAR FREE JELLO! Are they trying to KILL HIM! The only thing good here is the turkey! The carrots aren't half bad but not the best choice for a diabetic. The margarine is poison and the sugar free Jello as well with artificial sweeteners. We both knew better. He's on a low-no grain, no-sugar diet with plenty of lean meats and veggies and healthy fats (butter, olive and coconut oil) with a little fruit and he is just fine. He's down 20 pounds. He takes no meds other than his blood pressure medicine as his BP just wouldn't budge with out it. He also takes probiotics, 1000 mil Vit D, 200 mg Chromium Pocolinate, a multivitamin, B-12, Omega 3s, 1000 mil Vit C, Alpha lipoic acid. He also drinks plenty of water, green tea and walks 1-2 hours most days. Check out Dr. Mercola's article on diabetes: Is Insulin Condemning You to a Premature Death? Then get off the meds!

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

Ndundu — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:16:05 GMT

I have an interesting question for anyone here or dr. mercola, I come from a Tropical island myself, and i definetly felt healthier over there from sun exposure, i would fall asleep naturally before 10 p.m and wake up rested before 7 a.m. I am of multigenerationally mixed race, and this reflects on my skin tone, Having African-Native and South European ancestry does this. My Skin tone can range from light brown to mid-dark brown depending on how much sun i get, i know its impossible to tell how much sun exposure i would need its obvious i would need more then the recomended 15 - 20 minutes for a white person. I live in NYC, and i know that during the winter/fall/spring i probably dont get enough Vitamin D,

would i get enough sun exposure to produce vitamin D in the summer?

also

My body has different skin tones, ranging from a light yellowish brown to a mid-dark brown, if i expose my unexposed lighter skin parts would this require me to be LESS time in the sun then if i only exposed my darker skin parts, for example in my case my face and arms are darker then most of my body since they get the most sun exposure, but my inner arm, torso and feet are the least exposed and lightest.

re: Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency

Beanana1 — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:12:20 GMT

If you get slightly pink (10 - 20 mins in the sun with no protection) and then apply sunscreen, do the chemicals in the sunscreen affect in any way the absorption/ or production of Vitamin D (thereby reversing the good you have just done), just the same as the skin's VIT D production/ absorption is interfered with if you shower using soap within 48 hours of sun rays?