Vitamin D deficiency - again

[tobee]

Just been rung by gp reception after annual blood tests and told my vitamin D was low and that I should get over the counter supplements. I've been feeling tired, achy knees, like I might come down with a cold on and off for a while.

My question is last time I was diagnosed vit D deficient I had a prescription. Is my over the counter solution this time because my levels aren't that low or cost cutting? ( I intend to get 25mg prescription btw)

Also, what's this I read somewhere about a spray supplement?

It??s worth finding out what the actual figure was and then googling for the protocol for your area, just in case your GP is selling you short.

You need gelcaps or softgels rather than tablets as vitamin D (which isn??t really a vitamin, it??s a pro-hormone) is fat soluble.

Vitamin D is measured in international units and a maintenance dose is generally reckoned to be at least 2,000 iu.

I try to keep my level over 100. It makes more difference than anything else to how I feel.

You can also get a spray, but make sure it will give you the dose you need.

Please can I ask what symptoms you get when you're vitamin D deficient?

I take a 3000iu spray from Holland & Barratt

Usually if your levels have been very low you will get a prescribed high dose course but be expected to buy supplements afterwards. Practically every NHS Commissioning Group will have this policy. Most people who have been v low will need ongoing supplements.

You can buy a years supply on Amazon for about 8 quid. Even with 10,000 unit capsules (you should be working in units not milligrams).

Thanks for the replies. Is it better to use the spray then? Also, is there a preferred way of taking the tablet e.g with food, avoid caffeine, calcium, don't take at the same time as other pills? (I take blood pressure pills, iron tablets, thyroxine)

Tia.

MsMarthaMay
Have a look over here , lots of info on vit D , symptoms, causes, remedies, personal Vit D narratives and so on. A long read but if you have vit d worries, problems etc it is worth a look. Ask a question if you have one.

BTBH

whoops : heres the link

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2421492-Vitimin-D-can-it-have-this-effect

Placemarking here, too.

I use DLux Vit D Oral spray (3000 IU per spray) which I buy from Amazon, having previously had to get private prescriptions for high-strength courses of the gel capsules to feel normal. (My Vit D falls to unmeasurable every winter).

And the thyroid and Vit D levels have an effect on each other. Have you seen a consultant?

No. I've never seen a consultant about thyroid or vit d. I've read up stuff about thyroid and know it's a notoriously contentious issue. The trouble with reading online is you can't be sure what's reliable. Sometimes I think people will blame everything on their thyroid. Sometimes I think doctors don't blame enough on thyroid. I just hope I walk a middle line iyswim. Mostly I feel pretty well. I think. But sometimes I can't remember how I used to feel iyswim!

Now I feel like a massive div. I just looked on Amazon for vitamin d. Earlier, on an nhs website, it said take a max dose of 25mg. But on Amazon it was all 1,000 IU, 2,000 IU. I'm totally confused. Help, please!

I've just had this conversation with DDs consultant today - I was told that DDs Vit D3 is low, so I needed to buy her a supplement - I get a mine as a prescription as my levels are also low, so I asked if she could not have a prescription.

Turns out that getting it on prescription is v down to how low the vit D is, I forget the figures, but DDs was only slightly on the low side, so isn't considered a deficiency, meaning the NHS doesn't allow a prescription, mine is considered a deficiency as it's much lower.

Thanks for posting this thread, & for the replies - the advice on sprays etc is just what I need for DD too :)

I've Just Pinched this from the link above & I think it should answer your question,

In order for most adults to get their levels up to a more acceptable level you will need at least 1000 , and more than likely 2000 to 3000 IU per day. If you have measured your level, then you can work it out. A dose of 1000 IU , will , in general, raise your level by 25 nmol/l

Ah, brilliant. Thanks!

if you pay for prescriptions it is probably cheaper to get your vitamin D OTC. Boots often do 3 for 2 on vitamins. If you take tablets be aware that they are better taken with some fat so perhaps at a meal.