Does Anyone Else Have Vitamin D Deficiency?

Hi J.! I am experiencing the same exact thing as you. I went for my blood work on January 14 and everything was fine except my Vitamin D was at 18 (should be 32). My doc put me on 12 weeks of D (one pill a week) and afterwards I'm to go back for more detailed blood work. I also have about 15 pounds to lose and my doc didn't indicate that D would help. She only said that D helps the absorption of calcium. I too, have been experiencing what I thought was thyroid (according to my blood tests, it isn't) - tired, moody, weight gain, just an overall feeling of "not being right". I'm on week #4 of the Vitamin D and I really don't feel much different other than I have taken off a couple of pounds - but that's from being scared to death by seeing the scale on January 14. My doc also suggested I take a multi-vitamin and Calcium supplements, which I have been doing. That, along with trying to get outside (no matter how cold or snowy it is) and restarting my yoga/meditation practice have left me feeling better (although it's a slow process - not a "bang! I feel great"). Please feel free to email me personally; I'd love to hear how you do with the Vitamin D. (____@____.com)

Hi J.
I was never diagnosed with Vit D deficiency but I was 70 pounds overweight-and my joints were screaming! Also peri-menopausal and low self esteem-I had just been laid off-very unexpectedly.
I have lost 35 lbs--starting the next 35 and no longer suffer from those hot flashes and mood swings.
Love to share info.
J. H

Hi J.,
I don't know how old you are but I'm pushing 55 (soon).
Hate to admit it. Anyway Last Feb08 I was feeling very very depressed and crying all the time. I thought it was the blues and depression I fight over being a bereaved mother. I lost my son Bryan in OCt 2002 at age 17 to a car accident.
But the doctor did a blood test and found I was very low in Vitamin D. He put me on 12 week of Vitamin D to get the level up. That worked but I was still low.
I had a bone density test in Dec 08, and I was okay no osteo..but a little low in the spine area so now I take Calcium w/D..(400MG of D) 600 of Calcium, Vitamin D, 1000 MG 3x week, and Centrum Silver Multi VItamin .
I am feeling much better and the aches and pains are not there as they were before.
Let me know how you are.
S.

hi, yes i had a vitamin d deficiency also.I had to take 1000 iu twice a day. I van not answer if it will cure anything today because I had alot of other health issues.But i figure it cane hurt and my suggestion is give it a try.Walgreens usually has it buy 1 get 1 free.good luck

Hello, J.-

I know you are looking for other moms with Vit. D deficiency- I am a naturopath who has worked with people with varying levels of deficiency. I actually published an article recently on the topic at the following link: (I don't have any other relationship to the website, other than submitting educational articles.)

http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/Vitamin-D-Deficiency_ep_...

Basically, if you live north of a line that goes roughly through northern California and across the country through Boston, and it is during the winter/early spring months- then you are deficient. Unless you are regular about supplementing it, or you drink/eat plenty of fortified dairy- then you are deficient- sunlight is just not strong enough this far north to stimulate vit. D production in the skin during these months. In my patients, I have seen resolution of some of the symptoms you have described after several months of supplementing- particularly the aches and pains and loss of energy. It does take time, and also careful consideration of other factors (zinc status, general nutrition, sleep habits, exercise- you know.) But, just stick with the program- it does take a while to get levels back up to par. Best wishes in getting better!

Hi J., I have also found out that I am vit d defficient when I went for my physical this year. I was prescribed vitamin d 1.25mg softgel, one pill a week. From what my Doctor told me was that it was kinda normal for a woman my age (36) to be vit d deffiencent especially in the winter. She said that being vitamin deff would make you tired and gain weight, so I am also hoping to lose some lbs aswell. She also told me that they will recheck it during early summer when people start going outside again to see if I will still need it. I saw on the news the other night that being vitamin d diffiencet is one of the causes of MS. So, Hopefully I will get my levels back to normal and stave off MS and lose weight at the same time. So hopefulluy all this will work for both of us. Oh on a side not I have been on these pills for about a month and been going to the gym and I have lost 10 pounds maybe a coincedence butI am happy. Good luck to you.

Ann-Marie

I'm deficient. My level was mid-20's. I'm supplementing 3000 per day. My sister started supplementing 2,000 per day in Nov per her naturopath and her level was up about 10 points in 3 months, and she's upped it to 4,000 (she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall so really needs to get it up).

I didn't realize those syptoms you mentioned had anything to do with vit D. I know studies are finding it important for a lot of things including diabetes, breast cancer and MS as others have mentioned. I think this is pretty prevalent up North and I am very concerned about it since it is impossible to get enough from the sun for half the year here.

So I don't yet have experience curing my deficiency but I'm right there with ya now.

Hi, I have recently had loads of tests done, hormones, vit D etc. I am perimenopausal and a doctor was trying to convince me that all of my aches and pains was down to the menopause. I was not convinced and found a fantastic rheumatologist (sp?) who did further testing. He said my vit D was low at 10 and also diagnosed the beginning of lupus. I have been taking one vit d capsule a week for 6 weeks and have just been retested today, interesting to see how my blood work comes back. I will also be starting on Hydroxychloroquin to prevent the lupus from getting worse. I already feel better after the Vit D supplements.

From what I've read, most Americans have Vitamin D deficiency, partly due to poor diet intake (because it's found in foods we tend to not eat) and because we're so obsessed about avoiding sun, which gives us D. Mine was very low...and I did have irregular cycles, so I suppose that could have been part of it. I was gluten intolerant and didn't know it, so I wasn't absorbing nutrients from food. I take lots of high vitamin, purified cod liver oil (in capsules!) from www.drrons.com - a great source of it and easy to take. The cod liver oil also has vitamin A, which helps the body absorb the D better. My husband is low too, and it gives him fatigue and moodiness. Get some sun if you can!!

I have a vitamin D deficiency. It's pretty common up here where we don't see the sun all that much. So, I've been taking 1000mg or more a day. Don't expect a vitamin D pill to change anything about your mood, your weight, or anything else except your vitamin D levels at your next blood test. It might, but don't count on it.
What may help your mood, and your weight, is actually getting vitamin D from the sun - get out there and go for a walk (OK, maybe later, when it's warm enough that your nose hairs won't freeze.)

J.,

I have vit d deficiency also. This is my second round on mega doses and I have not had any changes. I am achy, moody, and perimenopausal also. I know it takes a while for vit D to work, up to 6 months. I do walk, drink milk and go to the gym. I am tired and overweight, so I am hoping to feel better at some point. My Calcium is normal, I have been checked for MS, osteoporosis, bone cancer, thyroid...all normal. So I am hoping like you that this is why I feel so terrible. My D level was 10....very low, now its 19. I now go to the gym and walk more and started lifting weights. It makes me feel better mentally. What are you D levels?

Your not alone!!
D.

Hi J.,
I had a vitamin D deficiency, I guess normal is supposed to be something like 32-100 and mine was 11. I was put on the mega dose vitamin D for 8 weeks and now take 800iu daily to keep it from going low again. I used to have a lot of back pain( that no one knew why, no physical reason for the pain.) but within a few months the pain did go away, not to say that i never have any back pain, but it is not every day. Not to sure about the tiredness as I still tend to be tired, but not sure if that is because of my schedule. I have a almost two year old(adopted also) and work part time in the morning and part time in the evening so I can be home with him during the day.
Perhaps the moodiness and and achy and tired is from horomones related to perimenopause.
feel free to email me if you have any other questions that I may be able to help with.
D.

Hello J.. Interesting that you share this as it is becoming an epidemic. However, I would love to ask other questions as I like you find it hard to believe deficiency in one Vitamin alone is the main culprit here. I suffered from severe PMS that led to depression and I am totally healed from this and can speak to some of the things I did. Should you ever want to talk please call me ###-###-####. I have a background in Nutrition and most important combining that with looking at next generation of healing meaning using superfoods, detoxification, PH balancing, etc. I'd love to see what you urine and saliva test out at as far as PH. If you have a heart for research please go to google and type in "ph balancing" and you will learn a lot. It is a key part of our health and why raw veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds and staying away from diet sodas, lots of grains, white flour, worry/anxiety/fear/anger/jealousy etc are very important as they are all acidifying.

Embrace this and LOVE this issue as you now have the opportunity to learn things that will change your healthy positively for your life time.

GOD bless YOU.

C. Goodhue

I had low vitamin D. I go to a Naturopathic doctor. I'd highly recommend you google one in your area. He will help with more than just the Vitamin D deficiency. Your primary will not make you well, like a naturopathic doctor. Anyway...He told me to have my Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy checked by my primary doctor and then get the results to him. It's a simple blood test. It came back low at 26.9. Normal is between 32 and 100. He put me on 2000 mg. of Vitamin D3 once a day. To be taken with a meal that has some fat in it, because D is fat soluable. Even if it's a few almonds or a meal instead of a piece of watery fruit.
After 3 months he recommended it be tested again and it went up to 44.6. I am to continue the 2000 mg. thru the winter and he will look to cut it back in the summer where you get more sunlight. Just have it checked every 3 to 6 months to keep on top of it. Too much vitamin D is not good too. Over 100.
Good Luck!
Sue

Yes!

I've had a severe Vit.D deficiency this winter along with other problems. The vitamin D deficiency seems to exagerate any other conditions you may have as well. I was on 6ooo units a day for roughly 8 weeks and I went from a level of 28 to 50. I also used a Happy Light. This is suppose to help your body absorb the Vit.D and it help improved my mood as well. I'm now taking 1000 units a day because the ideal level is 60 and it doesn't feel like quite enough. Have you researched what brand is best to take? I take liquid gels.

A. P.

Mom of 2 girls ages 15 and 7

Not that I am aware of, but I do try to get outside and get sun for at least 10-15 min. a day. I also supplement vit. D. on a daily basis. Living in this area, Boston we should try to get vit. D through supplements at least until May. Hope that helps.

Hi J.!
I'm glad that some other moms have more similar situations to you. All I have to add is that I was born in Cali and raised in TX and am VERY prone to winter depression when living up north if I don't intentionally get outside EVERY day. I have tried taking supplements, but for me personally, just getting outside works MUCH better.

I hope you find good support for yourself!!

HI,

I'm on week 4 of a 12 week regime of megadose then I need to take regular daily dosage. I can't say that vitamin D is a wonder cure all - I'm not bounding wit energy as I was told by some (my DR did NOT promise those kind of results). But I do feel better than I did before. I think it's hard to have a lot of energy this time of year - but being perimenopausal myself, I know that I share some of your issues and chalk it up to hormone swings. I have pursued it with my DR and know that one issue is my tiredness keeps me from physical activity - which adds to my being tired.

I exhibit many of the same symptoms you do--tired, achy, moody, perimenopausal. Although I have additional things as well. At age 49, with one 12-year-old son, it's no wonder I'm tired. The biggest thing is probably that I need more exercise. But, truth be told, the tiredness gets in the way.

My recent vitamin D2 level was 5; D3 was 20; D Total was 25 (should be greater than 40, according to my doctor).

My doctor prescribed 1000 i.u. a day and I also have a Verilux full-spectrum light (HappyLite Mini Ultra) which I try to use daily. (Prior to the winter, I got that light for around $50 on Amazon but I don't know what deals are out there right now.) I don't feel as moody these days, but I'm not sure if it's the vit D and light or some resolution of some challenges with my husband. Probably both.

There are so many things that could be interrelated. I'm on antidepressants which add to my weight which probably adds to the achiness and tiredness. And I had my right fallopian tube and ovary removed last summer, due to an abscess, and I'm sure my hormones are playing games with me. (When it rains, it pours! I think my whole body is quitting on me! : P)

I also was checked for my thyroid levels because my hair was falling out a couple of months ago. While I was in the hospital again in January 09, for another abscess on the OTHER side, my thyroid levels were low. But now that I'm out and recovered, it's fine again, which my doctor said is not surprising. Thyroid levels fluctuate when you are fighting infections, I guess.

It's important to know that you need some fat in your diet to absorb vitamin D. For those of us who drink skim milk, fortified with A & D, the D may not be getting into our systems. (Personally, I can't believe I don't have enough fat in my diet. I love Brummel and Brown too much on my toast! And cheeses, which provide fat along with protein : P)

I have been trying to establish better sleep hygiene (go to bed and wake up at more consistent hours). And trying to not get too much sleep. It turns out I was sleeping up to 10-12 hours a day which may have, ironically, been contributing to more sleepiness.

So, I guess I haven't given you any real answers. Just more examples. I suspect most of this is our hormones playing with us during perimenopause and, for me, a lack of exercise and being overweight. They all can contribute to the tiredness and achiness.

My doctor and I are still doing some additional tests to make sure. Keep us posted if you find anything else out. Sounds like a lot of us are tired, achy, and moody during this thing called perimenopause!

Considering you get vitamin D from sunlight I would say it will definately help w/ your mood and energy people seem to be in better moods and have more energy in the summer when they are out in the sun it also helps regulate the parathyroid which could be why you can't seem to lose weight even though your thryoid is fine doesn't mean its not slightly underactive it also helps the immune system and helps bones form correctly bc it helps with calcium absorption which could be why you are achy.

I had it, did the 8 weeks, nothing changed.. do you take magnesium and calcium too?? the magnesium helps your body absorb the calcium and vit d.. hope it helps you.. I still feel the same.