Consultant says no to vitamin d

[GintyMarlow2]

My kidney consultant (I have stage 3b kidney disease) has consistently said no, when I asked him about taking a vitamin d supplement. He says he never advises anyone to take supplements.
I pointed out that I am dark skinned, don't get out much, and that he doesn't know if my vitamin d level is correct because he has never tested me for vitamin levels.
I am in two minds. I would prefer to take a low dose supplement, but don't want to go against his advice.
I have researched vitamin d and kidney disease and from what I read, it's safe to take it.

In your shoes, I would seek advice from my GP. Most people in this country are vitamin D deficient and that can lead to all kinds of problems (I found mine was deficient when I had a non-healing fracture. Was told it would only heal if I got vitamin D levels up)

If it was me I would take it - and a reasonable dose too

Some doctors know very little about vitamins and minerals in conjunction to good health. I suspect this is because vitamins and minerals make no money for the drug companies.

Research shows definite benefits to taking Vit D - and if he disapproves - then he needn't know.
(A doctor once asked me 'What's the difference between God and a doctor' The answer 'God knows he isn't a doctor')
I would take at least a 1,000ug per day at least (4,000 would be better at least through winter) and I would take it in spray form as it is easily absorbed directly in your mouth.

I would listen to your consultant over your GP. He is an expert in your disease. However I would ask him for evidence as to why he believes Vitamin D is contraindicated in your case.

I have stage 4 kidney disease and take vitamin D (prescribed) 3 x a week as part of a long term plan to protect my bones.
We have a rubbish kidneys support thread in general health if you want to pop on sometime (although haven’t posted for a while!).

If I was you I'd be asking for a second opinion on that, and at least a test. It seems contrary to general NHS advice, which I'm sure you're aware of. Maybe there's something specific to your condition which is a contraindication but if that's so he should have explained. (Afaik vitamin D is processed/stored in the liver, as it's fat soluble would it have any relevance for kidneys?)

There may be arguments against large 'loading doses' if you're not actually diagnosed as deficient, but it seems unlikely that a normal RDA dose would harm.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/3964834-Rubbish-Kidneys-Support-Thread

He doesn't sound clued up at all. Can you afford a private Vitamin D test on Thriva? Or ask your GP to do one? If you are deficient, taking a one-a-day low dose won't raise levels enough. You'd need a loading dose, generally taken over 6-8 weeks to do that. With Covid around, it's madness to 'guess' our level, when a test is available.

@DianaT1969

He doesn't sound clued up at all. Can you afford a private Vitamin D test on Thriva? Or ask your GP to do one? If you are deficient, taking a one-a-day low dose won't raise levels enough. You'd need a loading dose, generally taken over 6-8 weeks to do that. With Covid around, it's madness to 'guess' our level, when a test is available.

Why is it only mad because covid is around?

Go to your GP and ask for a vit D test and whether there is any reason not to take it.

I think with kidney issues you might need to be careful with dosage but you want a doctor, not MN.

He's not saying no.

He's saying he never recommends supplements. It's not quite the same thing. If you stick to typical levels (not megadoses) then is there a downside?

It just means you are taking your own decision rather than it being 'consultant's orders' for your particular condition.

Ask him if Vitamin D is contraindicated for you (and if so, if there's any safe dosage)

If it's not, absolutely take it. Lots of evidence now that it helps protect against Covid-19.

I don’t know where you live but when I was in an inner London area the surgery routinely recommended everyone dark skinned take a supplement because they see rickets in some communities. Your specialist doesn’t sound like he knows what Asian or black skin needs.

Get a fingerprick test from the Black Country NHS (cheaper than Thriva) then decide depending on the results.

www.vitamindtest.org.uk/

Forgot to add the linn

Link

Ask your consultant whether there is a medical reason why you shouldn't take vitamin d. If there isn't then with winter coming all of us should be taking vitamin d and those with dark skin should be considering a double dose.there wouldn't be anything to gain from a blood test . In this areas Vit D cannot be ordered on the NHS unless you have very good reasons. The main issue for you is whether your medical condition makes vit D supplements unsafe.

Vitamin d is fat soluble and harder for the body to get rid of. I believe that fat-soluble vitamins are not recommended for kidney patients. BUT vitamin d deficiency comes with significant risks. The sensible thing to do would be to get a blood test and see whether you need supplements or not. Now is the perfect time as your body cannot make any more vitamin d until the spring. So, test now and, if you're borderline, supplement in winter cautiously and monitor it with regular tests to avoid overloading your kidneys. If you're ok, test again in say, January to see if you're still ok. I wouldn't do any of this without involving your GP, but I'd push to be tested at the very least.

@LindaEllen, sorry, I don't understand your question? I think it's wise to be aware of vitamin D levels generally, but in light of the many studies around the world (none in the UK) which strongly suggest that patients with good levels of vitamin D have a better outcome than those who don't, I think it's more important than ever. A very recent study said it even reduces the chance of catching it. Of course there hasn't been time to peer review these studies, but they are from lots of institutions around the world, and unlike some drugs and vaccines, there is little chance that results are biased and skewed by sponsorship from manufacturers of vitamin D (not under patent, readily available and inexpensive).

Also OP, check with your GP if you should be taking K2 with it.

What's K2?

K2 is a vitamin that is recommended with vitamin D. Sorry my phone won't do links, but you can Google the benefits. Some Vitamin D supplements are sold combined with K2. Most are separate though.

I would be very careful about doing your own thing without professional advice. If you're worried, get tested and ask for a dietician referral. Having worked around medical professionals, I can categorically say that quite a lot of them don't know much about nutrition unless it directly affects their area of medicine.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to get a vitamin test. At present I am taking 400iu on alternate days, on the basis that some vitamin d can't be a bad thing and such a low dose shouldn't affect my kidneys. I don't like going to the GP, so will wait until my next assessment is due and ask the go then.

There is a national kidney charity so it might be worth calling their helpline.

I don't know if I'd put their opinion over that of a consultant, but surely you need to press him more for an opinion?

It's either contraindicated for someone with lower kidney function OR he is just anti supplements- big difference between the two.

Ps I don't see the point of a vitamin test simply because some the levels they say are ok are in fact not okay and out of date.