Vitamin D

[Reanne]

Who has low levels and were you treated?  Did treatment help with muscle/bone pain, fatigue, and/or anxiety?

[Kendo]

Hi Reanne
I had low levels on 5000 IU per day of Vitamin D3 (calcium disorder so was told to take some) so family doc told me to take much more to bring up levels. They did go up but i hated swallowing the dry pills (1000 IU each). I then asked for the prescription gel capsules of Vit D2. D2 is much less active so in order to keep levels up I needed 2 to 3 pills (50,000 IU per pill) of D2 per week in the winter (Canada).

My symptoms when low did include pains in my wrists, breathlessness and fatigue. I would have a hard time climbing the stairs from the basement with a can of beans. In the summer I could carry loads of wet laundry up the same stairs.  I also found that the littlest sneeze, cough or trip would cause urine leakage. Interesting that a recent study showed this - I wasn't crazy!

I saw my rheumy about something else and told him about the effects of low Vit D levels, and he said "Some people are like that". So I guess I'm not the only one. I do have some kind of muscle disorder so maybe I notice weakness more than other people.

I've also noticed that I get fewer colds when my Vitamin D is in the normal range. It is now being called a hormone, not just a vitamin and it helps support the immune system without making it too active, according to my naturopath.
Good luck
Kendo

[Reanne]

Thanks Kendo,

I am starting 50000 unts 3 times a week for 3 months.  The doctor said it could cause be the cause of my muscle weakness and anxiety.  I am hoping to feel much better in a few weeks.  When the nurse called, she didn't say how low it was, just that it was low.  I hadn't heard it is now being called a hormone.  I am going to look in to that.  Thanks again for your response.

[shevonne]

My level is 12. I think normal is 30. It's been hard for me to remember to take another pill cause I tend to try to take some at different times. When I do get into the pattern of doing well by taking it, the level never seems to pick up. I've got to get better though.

[MaryBee7]

My level was found low (at 9) in 2008, have been on prescription D  -- 50,000 units  twice a week since then.  The gel caps are great.  When blood work is done, my levels hover around 45 now, which is a good number.  I haven't found it to make any difference in Sjogren's symptoms.