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General health

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Original poster

Vitamin d - topping up 'normal' levels- how has it helped you?

24 replies

Dithery · 07/01/2022 12:37

Hello! I know there are a few threads on vit d so I hope you dont mind this one. A recent blood test showed my vit d level was 80 nmol (which I believe is normal but at the lower end) so I am starting to take extra. I'm wondering if anyone has taken extra vat d even if levels are 'normal' and has it helped with any symptoms/issues? Thanks!

OP posts:

Bowwowwowoh · 07/01/2022 17:55

Improves dry skin.

Blinkingbatshit · 07/01/2022 18:30

Mine was 34😱….I’ve been taking a supplement for 3 months….I have WAY more energy and my chronic health condition seems to be improving!!🤞🤞

Original poster

Dithery · 07/01/2022 20:24

Hi Blinkingbatshit. May I ask what your chronic health condition is? I'm hoping extra vit d will help with my random pins and needles. (Have spoken to doc)

OP posts:

Blinkingbatshit · 08/01/2022 13:42

I’ve got gastric issues @Dithery - stomach & small intestine causing probs!….but now you mention it I did have a few weird pins & needs moments, but that may be more to do with reynauds which I also have mildly. I do wonder whether the chronically low vit d was the symptom or cause of my digestive issues!

Original poster

Dithery · 08/01/2022 15:40

Thanks Blinking!

OP posts:

Whatsyourfavouritescarymovie · 08/01/2022 16:00

I've no idea what my level was and I probably don't have the blood test report anymore to check but my GP advised me to start taking vitamin D, it has helped a lot, my energy is considerably better, I have a chronic health condition and it does seem to have IMPROVED a bit since I started taking it, my energy level was the main issue so I'm really pleased with how much better it is, I still have occasional bad days, but in general I do feel better, also noticed my general body and joint pain reduced quite a bit.

GinandGobbledegook · 08/01/2022 16:04

What levels do you all take? I really feel lethargic and bordering on depressed when I have low vit d levels but I never know what level I should be taking daily.

KatyMac · 08/01/2022 16:07

I take B12 for my pins and needles

MaybeHeIsMyCat · 09/01/2022 02:23

My level was grim, I can't remember exactly but it was either 16 or 9
I had a high dose course and now take 4000 every day. The one thing it did stop was my shin pain, I didn't realise how bad it was (mostly at night) until it went and I was "oh. It wasn't just ageing then!"

Original poster

Dithery · 09/01/2022 08:25

Thanks for responses. Seems like most people started taking more vit d after discovering levels were properly low. As mine were OK I'm wondering if extra will do anything for me of not.

OP posts:

genome · 09/01/2022 08:34

vitamindwiki.com/Vitamin+D+levels+of+East+African+tribes

Studies of traditionally living African tribes suggest that a level of 110nmol/l is our biologically optimal level. Most studies that informed the suggested range of normal levels and level of supplementation were focused on stopping rickets. It is now clear that vitamin D has many more roles and that the optimum level for those functions is higher.

Notlostjustexploring · 09/01/2022 08:37

I had levels of around 70 (in "normal" bracket, tested privately). A few weeks later I contacted the GP about chronic pain in hands and feet that had been going on for ages. They said that they weren't testing for vit d (think this was when blood test tubes were in short supply) but advised me a large loading dose and a maintenance dose and to come back if no change.

Pain in hands and feet is gone.

I think the Vitamin D Council recommends levels of over 100 to be replete, and that the "normal" levels advised in the UK are way too low.

Noln · 09/01/2022 08:45

You need more than you think. My levels were 19, doc suggested big dose then quite a small maintenance dose, got it up to 54 and GP happy with that despite most other places saying that's still too low. Been taking 5000iu a day for a year and tested again privately recently, it's now at 94 which still isn't quite where I want to be. The GP who commented on my private results advised I take 400iu a day - I can't see how that would help given how much (decent quality) vit D supplement I currently take just to get to 94.

I'm not sure how much it helped as I've also lost weight. But if you're overweight you'll need more to get to a decent level.

Everyone should ensure their levels are optimal though, low vit D is linked to lots of poorer health outcomes especially respiratory viruses, not just covid.

Original poster

Dithery · 09/01/2022 08:46

That's all very interesting! Can I was what a loading dose us please?

OP posts:

polkadotpixie · 09/01/2022 08:47

Mine was 11 a few years back, I had to have (very painful) injections but all the joint pains I had improved massively

caringcarer · 09/01/2022 10:05

Mine was low and GP picked it up on routine thyroid test I have every 6 months. I take largest tablets H&B sell and over months it has gone up and the joint aches and back ache I thought was down to menopause have improved a lot.

caringcarer · 09/01/2022 10:06

I should add o also started taking vit B6 and B12 at the same time so improvement could be due to those.

DeedIDo · 09/01/2022 10:13

Mine was 10 some years ago. I was overweight, exhausted and in constant all over pain. GP sent me to an endocrinologist who diagnosed me with CFS/ME. Lots of research online suggested I actually had a vitamin D deficiency and secondary hypothyroidism. I've taken 2,000iu of vitamin D most days for ten years now, which keeps my level at about 100. Now fit and well.

Frostytiger87 · 09/01/2022 15:24

I’m currently taking 2000iu advised by my Dr
I’ve read a lot of forums suggesting that it’s taken with K2 , Does anyone do this ?

MaybeHeIsMyCat · 09/01/2022 15:35

@Frostytiger87

I’m currently taking 2000iu advised by my Dr I’ve read a lot of forums suggesting that it’s taken with K2 , Does anyone do this ?

Yes - only because I take a multivitamin at the same time which has it in! But it is best to take it together

newtb · 09/01/2022 15:51

Vit D's essential for proper thyroid fonction.

Runninghorse · 09/01/2022 15:56

I have been prescribed vit D as my levels were low - it has made a huge difference to my energy levels. I also have an under active thyroid

Frostytiger87 · 09/01/2022 15:58

My Dr never mentioned taking K2 apparently it’s stops calcification

Adododoadahdahdah · 09/01/2022 16:03

@Dithery

Hi Blinkingbatshit. May I ask what your chronic health condition is? I'm hoping extra vit d will help with my random pins and needles. (Have spoken to doc)

Did they check B12/folate & thyroid?

My random pins & needles (along with dizziness, tiredness) vanished when I started B12 injections. I was in “normal” range but I asked for a print out if results and printed under the lab reference range was ‘can still be symptomatic in the lower range, consider treatment…’ low vitamin B12 can, eventually, result in neurological problems.

you can be symptomatic at the lower end of “normal” for lots of things such as Iron, B12, Folate. However, too much vitamin D can be dangerous.

I’m on a double dose of prescription Vitamin D & our lab range is “above 70 for bone protection”. The highest I’ve been is 90 but that made no difference compared to being 56.

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