Not so much humor.
I recently underwent a series of medical tests and screenings, and during that process my doctor ordered one I hadn’t ever had before. This blood test rated my vitamin D levels. In northern latitudes this is sometimes necessary, as the primary source of vitamin D for most people in sun exposure. I was somewhat surprised to learn I was vitamin D deficient. This didn’t immediately cause any concern, after all- it’s just another vitamin, right? So I’ll drink more milkshakes…. How hard can that be?
I have since learned a virtual plethora of conditions can be associated with vitamin D deficiency syndrome including “osteoporosis, heart disease, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, certain cancers, depression, chronic fatigue, and chronic pain.” (Vit.D council) Having suffered vague body pain for the last year that I’d self-diagnosed as some mystery-FMSlike ailment, increased flare ups of the rheumatoid arthritis in my knees and hips, and mild depression, I had nicknamed the whole shebang “Alaska Disease”. Alaska Disease indeed, low levels of sunlight do more than promote SAD, your body actually needs that vitamin D!
As I researched further, I found there were many other suggested connections to vitamin D deficiency, including as some sources claim- PCOS or ovarian cystic conditions. Oh yeah, that niggling problem that drove me to the doctor for all those tests to begin with? To identify pain and swelling, which turned out to be an ovarian cyst and distended fallopian tube.
With all of these rather recent health problems I sound like I am 50 years old! Some days I feel like I am 50 years old. This too I attributed to “Alaska Disease”. I just assumed people felt older in Alaska. It didn’t occur to me it could all be related, and that it might all be answered with something as simple as a vitamin supplement. Thank you vitamin D!
The recommended daily vitamin D intake seems to be around 4,000 units per day, according to most medical and scientific sources.
What to do about it, this is the question. I can “fake and bake” in a tanning bed, but this is expensive, time consuming, dependant on there being an available bed in this small town, and risky as far as skin cancer concerns go. I can drink milk…. 40 glasses a day (at $7 a gallon, you do THAT math!). I can take supplements, specifically vitamin D3. The “3” is important, though I haven’t entirely discovered why yet! The problem is, doctors, scientists, and the governments don’t all agree on how much supplemental vit D one should take. The highest concentrated tablets I could find were 1,000 units. Do I take four tablets a day? The Vitamin D council says yes. On the other hand, the US office of dietary supplements suggests just 200-400 Ius per day in supplemental form. This strikes me as woefully inadequate given everything else I have read.
I’m starting a 2 tablet a day regimen, this will give me 2,000 units- I am also making a more concentrated effort to get direct sun time- not always an easy feat in an Alaskan rain forest (yes, you read that correctly!) , on marathon dark days I will be hitting the tanning bed for a little zap- all in an effort to achieve the missing 2,000 units per day via u/v rays.
Popped my first pill this morning, I’ll take another at dinnertime… and I’ll update my progress in a week or so. Will I notice any changes immediately, or will it be a more long term situation? We’ll see!
I have since learned a virtual plethora of conditions can be associated with vitamin D deficiency syndrome including “osteoporosis, heart disease, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, certain cancers, depression, chronic fatigue, and chronic pain.” (Vit.D council) Having suffered vague body pain for the last year that I’d self-diagnosed as some mystery-FMSlike ailment, increased flare ups of the rheumatoid arthritis in my knees and hips, and mild depression, I had nicknamed the whole shebang “Alaska Disease”. Alaska Disease indeed, low levels of sunlight do more than promote SAD, your body actually needs that vitamin D!
As I researched further, I found there were many other suggested connections to vitamin D deficiency, including as some sources claim- PCOS or ovarian cystic conditions. Oh yeah, that niggling problem that drove me to the doctor for all those tests to begin with? To identify pain and swelling, which turned out to be an ovarian cyst and distended fallopian tube.
With all of these rather recent health problems I sound like I am 50 years old! Some days I feel like I am 50 years old. This too I attributed to “Alaska Disease”. I just assumed people felt older in Alaska. It didn’t occur to me it could all be related, and that it might all be answered with something as simple as a vitamin supplement. Thank you vitamin D!
The recommended daily vitamin D intake seems to be around 4,000 units per day, according to most medical and scientific sources.
What to do about it, this is the question. I can “fake and bake” in a tanning bed, but this is expensive, time consuming, dependant on there being an available bed in this small town, and risky as far as skin cancer concerns go. I can drink milk…. 40 glasses a day (at $7 a gallon, you do THAT math!). I can take supplements, specifically vitamin D3. The “3” is important, though I haven’t entirely discovered why yet! The problem is, doctors, scientists, and the governments don’t all agree on how much supplemental vit D one should take. The highest concentrated tablets I could find were 1,000 units. Do I take four tablets a day? The Vitamin D council says yes. On the other hand, the US office of dietary supplements suggests just 200-400 Ius per day in supplemental form. This strikes me as woefully inadequate given everything else I have read.
I’m starting a 2 tablet a day regimen, this will give me 2,000 units- I am also making a more concentrated effort to get direct sun time- not always an easy feat in an Alaskan rain forest (yes, you read that correctly!) , on marathon dark days I will be hitting the tanning bed for a little zap- all in an effort to achieve the missing 2,000 units per day via u/v rays.
Popped my first pill this morning, I’ll take another at dinnertime… and I’ll update my progress in a week or so. Will I notice any changes immediately, or will it be a more long term situation? We’ll see!
HUGS I know what your going through
ReplyDeleteHope it helps!
ReplyDeleteOkay actually they do have a higher dosages. For my Vitamin D i have to take 4000 iu's a day and then twice a week i need to take a prescription Vitamin D of 50,000 iu's. So essentially every week im taking 128,000 iu's.
ReplyDeleteThe 4000 iu's the best i could find for that was Nature's Made makes a 2000 one so i just double up (thats the highest one i can find at the store). And as for the prescription one depending on how low your Vitamin D levels are then they should have written you a prescription for it.
And i was quite shocked as well to see that Vitamin D deficiency is linked to a lot of serious health issues.
I think once you start taking you will start to notice a difference, i know i have. Good luck
Lisa aka CoastiePrincess
Kristy,
ReplyDeleteI just checked out GNC and they carry a Vitamin D3 tablet that is 2000 IU or they have a liquid that is 5000 IU per dropper full.
The more I read about this, I have a feeling my D level is low too. I am going to check into it.
Thanks for the information!
Thanks for that info Lisa and Denise! In town here the highest I could find was 1000, but I am sure drugstore.com will carry the higher dose.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in seeking your dx Denise! I really felt like so much of what I read applied to me, it was such a relief to find that all those seemingly random symptoms were related to something as easy to fix as a vitamin deficiency!
Make sure you post or blog or whatever how the Vit D is helping you out as im interested in what you think. I personally felt more awake and alive than i have been in a long time especially on my 54,000 days. And for the most part i havent been as sick this year either or felt as down/depressed. But i dont know if thats just cause its all in my head or cause i dont have the evil mirena anymore or what lol.
ReplyDeletewe got a liquid from Costco - it's even apple berry flavor- it's called Wellesse Vitamin D3. it's 1000 IU, and the kids can take half a dose (they like the taste too). and I also have the Nature Made (is that what you found here in town?)
ReplyDelete