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Vitamin D deficiency

I'm more concerned about what being Vitamin D deficient has done to my bones.

I take magnesium as well as from my research it seems calcium and vitamin D needs magnesium to work properly.

I know I don't have calcium deposits around my heart because I have recently had a CT and MRI scans done of it for medical research.
 
I take magnesium too, Denise, for its blood pressure lowering effects.

I forgot to say, Mac, that seeing my present Vit D3 supplementation seems to be working okay, I'll go back to 2400iu for the summer, and plenty of sunshine too! with the reservation that if I find out anything worrying about my present levels and calcium I might just stick to the sunshine only :lol: .

As far as I understand it, our Vit D levels can go into the thousands by exposure to sunlight, so I don't really understand the problem of too much Vit D. We don't store it well, though, which is why we are often depleted in the darker months.

Viv 8)
 
I asked my doctor yesterday aobut a Vitamin D test. She said I dont need one as I am not housebound and dont wear a burkha.
 
Is there a recommended dose of sunshine?

I sometimes wonder if I might be or become Vit D deficient because I have a desk bound job and sit in quite a dark room all day. Over the winter months I hardly ever get out in the daylight except at weekends.

Feel ok though.
 
lucylocket61 said:
I asked my doctor yesterday aobut a Vitamin D test. She said I dont need one as I am not housebound and dont wear a burkha.
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Oh dear, that's not very helpful or PC :mrgreen: Perhaps you could just add a supplement anyway and see if you feel any better? The care from PCT is really quite appalling in some area's I'm noticing.
 
20 minutes twice a day with arms and legs exposed, I seem to remember. Not at noon.

At northern latitudes (ie, where we are) there is not enough sun to keep our levels topped up, especially in the winter months. I don't think many people realise how much Vit D depletion there might be in the population, particularly at the end of winter - Feb/March.

Viv 8)
 
I think working in an office is akin to being housebound. Lots of people don't go outside at lunchtime and just eat at their desks.

After the Endo had diagnosed my Vitamin D deficiency, I got the spiel from my GP that he would have tested me for it if I wore a burkha. Think he is much more aware of this deficiency after I got diagnosed, pity it took nearly 3 years for me to get diagnosed.

I have read about a few studies which link Vitamin D deficiency and Type 2 and that BS levels are higher if you are deficient.

At the moment I am craving a holiday in a sunny place, with work commitments its not going to happen any time soon
 
If you live in the UK or on a similar latitude it doesn't matter if you get out a lot, you are still at risk of Vitamin D deficiency. An athlete I was advising worked a 0.8 contract in a manual outdoor job and she came back with horribly low levels!

There is a good study on Vitamin D levels and fat loss if anyone is interested I can dig it out. :?: Greater fat loss in those with higher levels of Vit D.
 
Skin colour is a major factor in whether or not you may be deficient, if your fair skinned and burn easily then a quick look at the sun through a window once a day will be enough :wink: but if you are dark skinned and can lay in the sun all day without a problem you will be more susceptible to a Vit D deficiency.

I have fair skin and was told "10 minutes a day or so" would be quite sufficient for me to get all I needed in the Vit D department
 
Couple more questions pretty please.

Do Vit D pills work or is it like B12 where you should have injections?

Sid do you really mean "sit by the window". Can see it's brighter there but does it need UV light to make Vit D? Glass blocks lots of UV which is why you don't get (so) sun tanned even if you sit in a well lit room. If it is just sit by a window I'll move my desk!
 
I'm presuming the tablets work, my health has been so much better since I started taking them (but do extra with the Dlux). My doc wouldn't give me the injections

Another way of getting vitamin D is with drops (the H&B ones don't taste that nice) or with an oral spray called Dlux (this does taste nice). This avoids the stomach and gets absorbed via the mouth.
 
Mac posted:

There is a good study on Vitamin D levels and fat loss if anyone is interested I can dig it out. Greater fat loss in those with higher levels of Vit D.
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Yes please! let me at it. So why have I stopped losing weight even with high Vit D levels?

Viv 8)
 
You could find out by having DEXA scan. I suspect though, that you may have to get it done privately. My doc here in France prescribed it because women with diabetes are more likely to have lowered bone density and my mother has osteoporosis. Nevertheless, I didn't get the cost reimbursed at the full rate under the system here. I didn't fit into any of the boxes (diabetes wasn't one of them)
 
How can I get tested and know how much supplement I need? My doctor has refused to test me.
 
xyzzy said:
Sid do you really mean "sit by the window".
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I was joking about that bit xyzzy the winking smiley should have given you a clue :lol:
 
Interesting that it is a hospital offering the testing. But my doctor wont test. More privatisation by the back door

Thanks for the link
 
I should have been re-tested 3 months after starting supplements, but when I asked 9 months later, my doc said we will do them at your annual review (12 months after starting supplements). It wasn't put on my notes so wasn't done. I asked and he said to come in and have a blood test which I haven't done yet.

The receptionists at my docs are not allowed to give results over the phone, so will have to see the doc, so will ask about a DEXA scan then.
 
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