Vitamin D levels are nil?!

[2024namechanger]

I have been struggling with recurrent chest infections for the past couple of years and my consultant recently requested my Vit D level checked. I have 0 nmol/L 😮

Consultant has written to GP to start me on 4000 Colecalciferol daily for ten weeks but I’m wondering if I should seek a private vit D boost?

Symptom wise, I get a chest infection once a month, energy cycles to nothing by afternoon, and I’m falling asleep in the evening, concentration poor, leg ache and back pain. My last two x rays showed deterioration in the spine and I have managed to twist my ankle by simply standing on a cold floor twice in the last few months. I also get frequently dizzy and feeling suddenly unwell - not quite right, with headaches. I had been meaning to get my levels checked for perimenopause and wondering if that could account. And was recently referred to Long Covid clinic but now wondering if this could all be fixed by a simple uplift of Vit D? Sounds too good to be true?!!!

Similar stories? I have done some googling, but haven’t come across anyone with none. I mean - where does it all go?!

That is insanely low! But as someone who has vitamin d issues, I can tell you thats a very high dose. My doctor gave me this kevel recently but usually I fet 6000 once a week!

low vit D can make you feel horrendous. The treatment/ additional shots may not cure everything you’re dealing with but I’m certain you’ll feel significantly better.

It’s not a high dose, I take 4000IU daily which is the max recommended. The supplements over the counter at 400-1000IU will do nothing but maintain

when mine was low they put me on 50,000 weekly
mine was 9 when tested and now at 66

Yes I am fascinated by it to be honest! I have a slight tan- so have had a touch of sun. I eat eggs every day, and drink about a thousand cups of tea so plenty of milk. Not v fond of oily fish tbf tho. I also had been religiously taking cod liver oil daily - probably stopped about a month before the test. Not sure how long it takes to leave your system…

Oh that’s interesting. Clearly they’re not too bothered - I was tested for it 3 weeks ago and only just received the letter 🙄 I might speak to my GP about how best to get back to normal levels. I don’t mind paying - I have been ill for two years! Excited by the thought I might actually get better

These are the NHS recommended doses. I don’t recommend having a ‘private boost’ - your GP will give you the dose you need.

i recently had 50,000iu for six weeks and it did help.

my symptoms were leg ache, sore/weak muscles, exhaustion, dry skin, low mood…

Hi OP I've had very low vitamin D before but not as low as yours was! The way i got my levels up quickly was with a spray you spray inside your mouth

Nil, crikey. Is there an absorption issue that needs checking?

Yh I wondered that - I am being investigated to see if there is an underlying issue for recurrent chest infections so it will hopefully come out with those investigations. So far everything’s been pretty normal though, until today!

4000IU daily will get you there, it’s best taken with k2 as well and take it with your largest meal as it needs fat for absorbing

Have you been checked for celiac disease? Undiagnosed can mean you will not absorb essential vitamins and nutrients…..

If your level is zero they should have given you an emergency loading injection at the hospital, and then give you the strong tablets to build you up. Is it really 4,000 or actually 40,000?

I take the 3,000 with K2 as you need that for absorption, it's the equivalent of taking vit c with iron. This is my maintenance dose as I can't be in the sun (have Lupus), but it's not a building you up from deficiency dose.

https://betteryou.com/products/vitamin-d-k2-oral-spray?srsltid=AfmBOorN8qHDJIYZwX-fS4e1QudClM7kI5ZmAVyPgcnwQo8_fKU97KGJ
This is the one I take, you can get it from Boots, Superdrug, Holland, even Costo at times.