Vitamin D deficiency

[supercatlady]

Blood test for hair loss and fatigue showed Vit D deficiency - 17mnol

I saw results on NHS app on Monday so did another e-consult.

They finally phoned today - said vit D is “abit low” and get a supplement from the chemist as it’s cheaper than prescription.

I asked how much to take - she said just take the minimum and ask for another blood test in 30mths. I said I’m so tired and my research indicated I should be on a loading dose. She said well maybe take the max dose then”. I asked how much and she didn’t know.

Chemist has suggested 1000 a day but this still seems very low?

My calcium levels are ok - could that be why they are so unconcerned?

I have health anxiety and am so sick of feeling exhausted.

The majority of people living in the UK have a vitamin D deficiency. So really it's not a big deal to be worrying about. Take a supplement, if you don't notice any improvement, then gradually increase the dose and try again.

What were your adjusted calcium levels?

2.47 was adjusted calcium.

I was hoping a higher dose might have resolved the fatigue and hair loss too

Hmm, whilst it’s in the normal range I wonder if you should have a calcium and parathyroid test done (needs to be done at same time). Sometimes people can be normocalcemic. It may be hard to persuade your GP. If you can take a look online and see if any of it fits

Most people in the U.K. have vitamin d deficiency, especially over winter, as your body needs sun to produce it.

The best supplements are D3 That way it’s easier for your body than just vitamin d, which your body would then have to convert to D3.

Are you sure it’s that which is the problem? There are so many vitamin deficiencies that can lead to fatigue and feeling ill.

I was down in folic acid and iron too. I take 2000 vitamin D3 in the winter and 1000 in the summer if I am not out in the sun. There isn’t really a recommended daily allowance in the uk. You can take up to 3000 but I stick at 2000 as I don’t want to go crazy as my centrum contains it too along with other stuff. So I prob take over 2000 a day and I’m fine.

What have you had blood tests for? Is your iron over 70 ?

1000 a day won’t even touch the sides, I’d do 4-5k per day, as indicated on this article (I also listened to the related podcast)

amp.mindbodygreen.com/articles/vitamin-d-benefits-and-how-to-get-enough-of-it

Needs to be d3, nearly everyone on UK is deficient

I really like the ‘better you’ sprays, which are available at Sainsburys and also Amazon, I use the 4000 units and they are not expensive

This is the one: www.amazon.co.uk/Better-You-DLux4000-Supplement-Peppermint/dp/B08G57MJW9?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

How are your iron levels? I’m taking floradix/florvital (so liquid iron & b vitamins) to help me recover post Covid, am hoping will help the fatigue & also thinning hair

You need 4000 iu I get mine from Amazon. Tiny and you only need 1 per day. The GP prescribed ones are rubbish.

Thank you.
All other results were in the normal range, including TSH.
Liver function and creatinine were at the top of normal. GP wasn’t concerned.
Ferritin was 101.
I’ve bought 3 packs of the 1000 now (they were 3 for 2) so will take 4 a day and see what that does.