Vitamin d deficiency. Experiences?

[Theas18]

Ok, saw gp to get a myriad of small niggles sorted. Been sitting on them for ages. In a " well we've not taken any for a while" way I ended up with blood tests.

Turns out I'm vitamin d deficient at 26. Hardly surprising, it's spring, I'm a stressed, office based, long hours worker.

I naturally have lots of symptoms that could be due to this - v tired, poor sleep fat, achy etc etc but actually am I likely to feel any better after a top up? Been like this for a long time and rather believe it's just how I am tbh but would be nice to hear if others have actually felt and improvement!

[wfrances]

mine just came back at 15.
i do feel awfull .
i need to see gp this week,to discuss treatment.

[differentkindofpenguin]

I ended up with low vit D after breastfeeding my youngest for a year while not eating all that well. Felt so awful, couldn't get through a day without a nap.

Was given tablets to take, felt a lot better after a few weeks, levels now within range, and feeling great, energy levels are great!

[DayLillie]

Improvement after 6 weeks

If it is very low, you will be losing calcium from your bones - the adult form of rickets. (below 25)

Vit D is needed for bones and joints (aches at low levels). It is also part of the thyroxin pathway, so you will get tiredness and apathy if your levels are low. Mine was 39 at the end of summer and I had this. You need to be over 50.

The sun is the best way and it is strong enough now, so get out in the sun for 20mins a day, expose what your can!

[ihatethecold]

I take a high dose (3000IU) vit D spray from DLUX.
costs about £8 and lasts 3 months.
It's a very effective way of taking the vitamin.

[Rikalaily]

Mine was 17, GP put me on 20,000 a day for two weeks then one a month thereafter. Took a long while to get to normal (but I have an allergy to bright sun so no sunlight top ups). You will feel a difference after your levels start rising. I felt like I had flu constantly beforehand, whole body aching and bone weary tired.

[ponybark]

i felt tons better after D supplements (used a high strength spray version) - am generally very anxious but the anxiety dissipated massively after just a couple of weeks !

i had been very deficient for a long time. i think most people are deficient.

would recommend a spray version as apparently easier absorbed. wonderful stuff and made me feel ten times better!

[NormHonal]

After a week or two, my energy levels were transformed. I've lost weight and resumed exercise.

I feel like a completely different person to the one I was a year ago. In a good way.

[Theas18]

Thanks all. You have given me hope that I might feel better than I do now, which would be great. Ive just been living with feeling terrible thinking well it's how it is working as I do and juggling the family stuff etc infact I can't remember when I felt " well" last really. The " constant mild flu" analogy is about right. Ive had a lovely day - long lie in, thrn lit the wood burner and sewed all afternoon. ive felt happy and unstressed , but as you can see I can't sleep ( I have tried) and my ankles ache .

Sunlight would be good but start work at 8 and a colleague is likely to be off sick so I'll be stuck inside till 7pm.

[griselda101]

you will feel soooo much better trust me.

i felt the same as you by the sounds of it. was a LP juggling self employed on top and sleep deprivation so put feeling shit down to that. (and yes in part it was that).

but the vitamin D supplements made me feel sooo much more human. I was craving sunshine / summer and now I know why! When I took the supplements i felt tons better.

you said you can't sleep - when you get your Vit D supplements try not to take them late in the day / evening - apparently they can interfere with sleep. They should be taken earlier in the day if possible (also check in case caffeine can inhibit absorption - not sure) to avoid sleep interference.

[cherrytree63]

I've been ill for 6 months with a chest infection, so hardly been out during that time. I'm also vegetarian.
My vit D level was 12, so been on high strength supplement for 6 weeks now, starting to feel a bit more human,but still have days when I get out of bed and go straight onto the sofa for the day.

[ihatethecold]

What dose are you on cherry?

[sammyjayneex]

I had low vitamin D a while ago. Made me feel like crap. I was feeling exhausted by the time 3pm can around. I had sore bones and joints too. After I had the treatment undid feel a little better, tiredness improved slightly as well as the pain but I'm still not 100%

[mrsdavidbowie]

I have a sun allergy so have vit d deficiency. Have been taking the spray but need yo go back for more blood tests.
My ankles ache too.

[PoshPenny]

It will make a massive difference once its sorted. I had some blood tests come back a couple of years ago indicating I might have a low vit D level, I was feeling terrible at the time. Anyway, I dismissed it out of hand to the GP, saying I worked outside with horses, how could I possibly have low vit D (it was late summer, good weather). Well, it's a huge regret I did that. I do have low vit D, I got a bit more clued up on coeliac and hypothyroid as nothing was conclusive on the numerous blood test results over months and months, a gluten free diet was the one thing that helped me, along with starting to supplement some vits and minerals. I've just had the best winter in a very long time, with regard to lack of aches and pains and generally feeling well, and I would put that down to supplementing 5,000 IU daily of vitamin D. First winter for 8 years that I haven't been crippled with tennis Elbow, which always cleared up every spring. So obvious when I look back of course...

[Rummikub]

I can't sleep and am supposed to take vit d. Is it ok to take the high dose indefinitely?

[griselda101]

no it is toxic to take too much vitamin d and can cause lots of issues. I was told to take a high dose initially to get my levels up to normal then to take a smaller dose after that ongoing.

I have never heard of it treating sleep issues. One thing to note is don't take it close to bed time as it can interfere with sleep as it is released into the blood stream - take it in the morning.

[Rummikub]

Ok thanks. I've got high dose tablets and I've just taken one for first time in ages. Just noticed they're dated dec 2014!!!

[Plumstrum]

I started taking supplements a few weeks ago and I have noticed a huge difference. generally less achy and more energy. The biggest difference is in mood. I am much less anxious and stressed. I have always hated Winter and felt very flat until Spring. now I know why. It is the only supplement I have ever taken which has had a marked effect on my health.

[Lovetunnocks]

Yes - I was at 13 a couple of months ago. I've been taking 3000IU via a spray per day (DLux - got it at health shop). I'd been feeling fuzzy headed, depressed, anxious, knackered, sore arms, plantar facilitis (not sure if that one is connected). I've still got a way to go but honestly, I feel like a different person. I've got lots of energy and the depression and anxiety has lifted. I have been feeling rubbish for over a year but I actually didn't fully realise how awful I was feeling until it started to lift. The plantar facilitis (sp) has improved massively too - but I don't know if that's connected. Still got weakness in my arms - again that might not be connected but I'm hoping that a few more months on the spray will help.
Can I second the warning above about not taking a high dose vit D tab unless you actually know for sure that you've got a vit d deficiency. I think if you're replete then high, and potentially dangerous, levels can build up very quickly.

[paddlenorapaddle]

There's a very good book about this called the vitamin D solution brilliant read and it has lots of information about dosages and levels

[cherrytree63]

Ihatethecold.... I'm taking 3 x 20000 once a week. I have three more doses then the dose will be reviewed after another blood test.