Low vitamin D symptoms?

[hotstepper4]

I've been feeling shit for a while but particularly terrible since recovering from yet another cold 2 weeks ago. I ache everywhere, especially back and legs, I'm tired and depressed and irritable. I got bloods taken and apparently I am vitamin D deficient. I actually feel relieved as I convinced myself it was fibromyalgia.

Does anyone else have these issues and experienced these symptoms? Did taking supplements make it go?

Are you actually deficient? Ask for the actual result with the ranges used. If you are are, then your GP should put you on a super high dose for a few weeks and then on a maintenance dose. If you just have low levels (sub-optimal), then you should still be prescribed supplements but not at the high initial dose.

Vit D is much more than just a vitamin, it is more of a pro-hormone.
Muscles need it to move,, nerves need it to carry messages between the brain and every body part, and the immune system needs vitamin D to fight off invading bacteria and viruses. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis.

Did they check ferritin, B12 and folate? If they did, ask for the results. These may well be low too & to be optimal should at least be in the middle of the range.

Thank you, I'm going back in a week so I'll ask for a print out of the results.

Vit D deficiency is more common than most realise, particularly over a long winter. The sun is the best form of Vit D. I take 10,000iu a day, my vit d level has dropped to 24 in the past, however I do have a disability where vit d levels are commonly low (MS). I have regular blood tests and always try to have a winter sun holiday if I can. Supplements will bring your vit d level up but it may take time.

I had the same symptoms. Iro, thyroid, B12 all came back within normal range - Vitamin D was shockingly low.

I was put on a high dose course for a month (20,000 iu per day), and now take a maintenance dose daily (3000 iu). I started to feel dramatically better after 6 weeks.

I now up my daily dose in January/February/March to 5000 iu (as these months seem to be the worst for my symptoms, probably due to the accumulative effect of lack sunlight over the winter months. Its massively improved my energy levels.

I've also stopped wearing sunscreen in the winter. Even 15 mins a day of natural sunlight on your face with no sunglasses (so your eyes can absorb the light) helps a lot.