Low Vitamin D

[TheChestnutCafe]

I had some blood tests done on Thriva as I thought I was having thyroid symptoms. Turned out I have 'insufficient' Vit D level of 24. All that was recommended was that I exercise more. I feel dreadful, exhausted, constant pains in my back and legs.

Ive started taking a 4000iu VitD each day. How long til I start feeling better?

You'll need some sunshine too - much better than supplements, but perhaps consult your GP or local pharmacist for professional advice over the phone

24 ng/ml is on the lower side of optimal blood concentrations though so it's not ridiculously low (optimal apparently 20-50ng/ml blood)

Be wary of putting sun screen on all the time before exposing your skin to sunshine

Other factors thst can help increase Vit D:-

Increase fatty fish (inc tuna, mackerel oysters shrimp sardines anchovies ....)

Mushrooms

Egg yolk

Fortified food

.... as well as supplements

Thanks! I have been making an effort to eat more egg yolks, oily fish etc so hopefully should start feeling better soon.

Hi op ,

                        IF  you got your results from Thriva , a UK  lab ,  then  were your results  24   nmol/L  ?    Then that is very low .        

                       Perhaps your results were actually   24  ng/ml,  which is totally different    to 24   nmol/L  .   

                       It is probably   worth checking.  You can then figure out how  you need to supplement , and what the resultant blood level will likely  be .  100 microgram ( 4000 IU ) daily  is a good top up dosing regime.  It should raise your blood level substantially , over 2  to 3 months.    SAY ... probably up to  100  nmol/L   or just over . IF  you started out with a blood level  of  24   nmol/L 

       Hope that's helpful.  

 BTBH

I have just had the same with Thriva although my level is not as low as yours (48). I had a really detailed report which recommended supplements and also dietary changes as you've mentioned. Seeds and nuts recommended too. I've felt sluggish but thought it was just the general effect of lockdown monotony, will be interesting to see if the supplements help!

Avoid sun screen as much as possible. Around 20-30 minutes exposure should be enough.

It’s only specific mushrooms that are a good source of vitd.

Foods/drink with vitD

Egg yolks you need to consider your cholesterol. Same with beef liver along with iron.

Fresh Sardines, tuna, salmon, rainbow trout are good sources. Canned tuna and sardines.

UV lamps and lights can also be helpful.

Supplements be careful as some like COD liver oil can contain too much vitd.

It’s one of the things my body cannot absorb. When I was first diagnosed I also spoke to someone about food and from there it was easier to make more menu plans.

Hi
I've just double checked and it is 24nmol/L.
Maybe that explains why I've been so fatigued and achey.
I always stay covered up when it's sunny /use spf50 as I've got lots of moles.
That might explain why my levels are low.

Thank you all for the good advice.

Hi @TheChestnutcafe

                                              Yes ,  24 nmol/L is pretty low,   

( IF it was 24 ng/ml , that would be the equivalent of 60 nmol/L) It is VERY important that these two measuring schemes are not mixed up or confused. )

   24 nmol/L    is so low ,   that if you were a child , you would be in the "possibility of rickets" range.  An adult does not get the same symptoms,  but fatigue, bone and muscle pains, joint pains ,  especially lower back,depression, insomnia  etc etc  may sometimes be evident.  

        You may be interested in a fuller explanation , of what is going on ,  what supplements  and why  etc.      Have a look at this thread , where I posted quite a bit explaining a lot.  It is a long read ,    but near the end ,  a poster called  "PrettyFlyF0rAWiFi" was in about  the same position as yourself.  It may be of interest to you.  <a class="break-all" href="https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/a2841497-If-you-are-vitamin-D-deficient-what-have-you-been-prescribed?msgid=90317658#90317658" target="_blank">www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/a2841497-If-you-are-vitamin-D-deficient-what-have-you-been-prescribed?msgid=90317658#90317658</a>
   this is the thread .  

 IF  you want any more information ,  just get back to me .

    Good luck with everything,  

BTBH.

I had test in February and mine was very, very low. I have taken 3 Vit D tabs every day and sitting in garden too. Started to feel better, more energy and back ache much better about mid May.

Speak to your gp, as you likely need some Higher loading doses To begin.

Hi op. Sorry you are feeling rotten. I had a result of 20mol a couple of months ago and the gp gave me 50,000iu tablets to take weekly for 7 weeks. Hope you start to feel better soon