Vitamin D deficiency

[FlattenedAsAPancccake]

Name change in case friends recognise me.

My vitamin d levels are low; 22 nmol/l. I am so tired all of the time. My GP has sent me a prescription for 400IU a day, with a view to repeat the blood tests in 3 months.

I am not a medical expert, nor am I claiming to be one. Friends with higher levels of Vitamin D, but still considered low, have been put on a considerably higher doses.

I don’t want to drip feed, so I am also breastfeeding and this particular GP doesn’t like to prescribe anything to breastfeeding women (once refused antibiotics for clear mastitis, and told me I shouldn’t be taking any pain relief either).

The breastfeeding network suggests doses higher than 400IU are safe for breastfeeding women.

Should I ask for a second opinion? I feel like I’m running on empty.

Google [your area] + vitamin D prescribing guidelines and find out what he should have given you. 400iu is not even a maintenance dose for most people.

Everyone should be taking 400IU a day between September and April. I'd definitely take more.
Breastfed babies are also supposed to be given 400IU a day as a supplement from birth (think it used to be 6 months).
So given that the baby is supposed to be taking that dose anyone and only a fraction of it will be in breastmilk I would definitely increase the dose significantly.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/vitamins-for-children/

Yeah that's not a decent dose
I was on 20,000 a week when mine was 9
I take 4000 a day as a maintenance dose

Hi

NICE advise that all mothers who are breastfeeding, and until the child is 1 have a 400unit daily vitamin D supplement.that's not if they are vitamin D deficient, the dose is then increased for deficiency.

I'd suggest calling the GP back. PP to Google your local areas guidelines is great advice, as suggested type your area, vitamin D and also 'formulary' and see what you can find so you can inform the GP.

I also take 4000 daily in winter. Most of us in the UK are deficient in Vitamin D, and it should be more widely addressed by the medical professional as supplements are cheap and readily available.

I have levels less than 12. Gp has put me on 50,000iu a week for 6 weeks and then 1000iu daily for a year

Thank you so much everyone. I left an online message with the GP surgery and they’ve asked me to pop in for a face to face appointment next week.