Ever have a Vitamin D deficiency?

Ravenlost · #1 06/26/12, 06:37 PM

Had my annual physical last week and got a call from the doctor's office yesterday saying I was very deficient in Vitamin D.

This doesn't surprise me as I have an autoimmune disorder that keeps me out of the sun as much as possible AND causes malabsorption of vitamins and minerals.

I've done some research on it and have learned that vitamin D deficiency is linked to depression. While at my appointment last week the doctor upped my anti-depressant to the maximum dosage, which is double what I was taking.

I picked up the Vitamin D prescription today and the pharmacist came over to talk to me. He told me it was a massive dose and I was to take it once a week for 10 weeks only (which is why there were only 10 pills in the bottle...DUH). I guess if I forgot and took two in the same week I would overdose on vitamin D?

Now I'm wondering if this could have led to the anxiety attacks that I am having more and more frequently, or is that just due to stress? Or a combo of the two?

Anyone else ever deal with a vitamin D deficiency? Did it make you lose interest in everything?

vicker · #2 06/26/12, 06:49 PM

Without D your body cannot absorb calcium from your food. Calcium is used in Many chemical reactions in your body. I would be quite sure that it could cause anxiety.

vicker · #3 06/26/12, 06:59 PM

Here is one article I found.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/25...y-use-calcium/
If your system is not absorbing calcium, it is robbing it from your bones. If you Vit D is that low, I would expect your calcium to be low too. as stated calcium is very important for many things, including proper nervous system, central nervous system, cardiac and muscle functions. Any of those could surely cause anxiety.

RedHeadedTricia · #4 06/26/12, 06:59 PM

I know that it also had something to do with my thyroid/Grave's disease issues and I'm on OTC Vit. D, it also is helped with my depression & SAD once I was put on it.

RHT

nanavicky · #5 06/26/12, 07:13 PM

Wow, this is an eye opener for me. My blood work came back last year with a deficiency in D. I have been taking OTC D3 2000 ie once a day. In the beginning I was taking 3 then reduced down according to Dr./pa's instructions. Lately I have been having a VERY hard time just dealing with life issues, maybe time to up the dose again?

Ravenlost · #6 06/26/12, 07:15 PM

Thanks y'all. My calcium levels were normal. Only thing off was my Vitamin D and it was extremely low. I thought the doctor would just put me on OTC Vitamin D, but nope...had to get a prescription for the 50,000 UNIT pills.

nanavicky...may be time to have your yearly physical and bloodwork done again?

emdeengee · #7 06/26/12, 07:16 PM

Yes and mine was an underlying cause to my blood cancer and oesteoporosis.

If you have Vit D deficiency you are not abosorbing calcium and

Calcium: Depletion affects the central nervous system. Low levels of calcium cause nervousness, apprehension, irritability, and numbness.

Also causes lack of proper sleep. All of these can affect your mood and increase depression.

Mood disorders:
Some studies suggest an association between low vitamin D levels in the blood and various mood disorders, including depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and premenstrual syndrome. Also vitamin D supplementation may improve symptoms of depression associated with seasonal affective disorder. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

Ravenlost · #8 06/26/12, 07:22 PM

It's very strange. I eat plenty of dairy...lots of cheese, milk and butter. Guess the gastro problem I have has caught up with me. I never would have thought to little Vitamin D would make me so nervous, irritable, etc. Probably what's making me so tired and need naps almost daily.

cwgrl23 · #9 06/26/12, 07:57 PM

I too have issues with low Vit D! I have had to take the mega doses as well. Now I take anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 IU of Vit D. This is with my Dr. ok. Please know that not all OTC are created equal. I would do your research on the different brands available in your area. I buy a more expensive one and feel better then when I get them from Walmart.

My Dr told me that if you live North of Atlanta, you need to take a Vit D supplement unless you live in the sun. For whatever reason, my body won't store excess like Vit D like most peoples. So I have to take bunches year around.

You can ask DH. He knows when I am not taking enough or have run out! I tend to be in much more pain and cranky!

Carrie in SD

Danaus29 · #10 06/26/12, 08:11 PM

My dd is vit d deficient. That's the dose she has been put on a couple of times. She does so much better when she is taking the mega doses, not so good on 2,000 units/day.

Vit d is not added to all dairy products.

I don't know what my levels are. It's never been tested, even in standard blood tests. But then testing women for vit d levels is a pretty new thing in the medical field.

There is also a link between low d levels and breast cancer.

Cliff · #11 06/26/12, 08:16 PM

Rl, low vit D has also been associated with autoimmune disease. I have psoriasis that improves greatly with supplementation, and clears completely with lots of sun.

Yes low vit D is definitely connected to depression in many people. It's also linked with higher rates of cancer.

CesumPec · #12 06/26/12, 08:52 PM

I was low VitaD and went on the same ultra high dosage for a while and now am on a maintenance dose for the long term. So then they put me on calcium supplements. And then I learned that your body needs magnesium to chemically balance the calcium. So one problem leads to another. I would ask your doc about the calcium and mag.

sss3 · #13 06/26/12, 08:54 PM

I, take 50k units of Vit D a week.

Pony · #14 06/26/12, 08:57 PM

I take up to 9000 iu vit D daily. I also take 3 cal/mag supplements. Made a HUGE difference in my pain levels as well as mood.

Alice In TX/MO · #15 06/26/12, 09:12 PM

Vitamin D gives me horrible nightmares.

Ravenlost · #16 06/26/12, 09:13 PM

Lots of interesting stuff y'all are telling me! It never occurred to me that Vitamin D could be causing so many of my problems.

big rockpile · #17 06/26/12, 09:17 PM

My Doctor told me the same I'm taking Supplement twice a week.

big rockpile

luvrulz · #18 06/26/12, 09:19 PM

I spend lots of time outside and am still vit D deficient. I don't know why - but gastric bypass and absorption are to blame, I think..... Need to go back and have another blood work up. Also, issues with B12.... My moods swing like a hammock some days.....

Speckledpup · #19 06/26/12, 10:06 PM

Been taking a 50000 unit pill once a week for about 5 years now.

calliemoonbeam · #20 06/27/12, 01:37 AM

I also have autoimmune disorders and have been just exhausted lately, among other things, so my doctor just drew a vitamin D level on me, don't know the results yet. I never get out in the sun due to a natural tendency to burn, previous skin cancer and medication effects, so it probably is low. But I've been told for years not to take extra calcium as I form lots of kidney stones, so not sure how that will work if I need to incresae it with the vitamin D.

Glad you got yours figured out though and hope it works well for you!

Be careful about taking an extra one though, at doses that high it could cause serious problems.