Low Vitamin D, high Vit D

Posted , 3 users are following.

I told primary my Rheumy had put me on 5000 IU Vit D since mine was low.  But no doctor would retest it.

I had it retested myself and it was high. So Rheumy dropped me to 2000 IU.

My primary said I should retest it (sad it's cheaper to test it ourselves with cash than using insurance!!),  but she didn't say when. I didn't think to ask...ugh. 

Any ideas how long to wait to retest my Vitamin D level? 

 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Sorry layne, can't help you with that one, as I don't think I've ever been tested. I did however used to take calcium as a supplement and at 2 blood tests past the GP said that my calcium levels were a bit high so I've stopped taking them for a bit and maybe I'll restart in 6 months. Regards, tina
    • Posted

      I was told and have read... As we age we should, "should"... Take 1200 calcium anyway. I don't do dairy.  But with the Prednisone my doctors were really worried about osteoporosis, not that I show signs of it, and I'm 54 years old. I'm worried about you not taking any calcium, but obviously I don't know better. 
    • Posted

      If your blood calcium level is high it is a sign you don't need as much so you should reduce the supplements. Dietary calcium doesn't seem to cause problems for most people. Calcium levels that are too high or too low are not good news - so it is something that needs checking every few months or if you have any signs or symptoms to suggest there is a problem.

      As for your vit D level - you say it was high, but what was the figure? The levels that were considered normal or too high a few years ago are now considered out of date and much higher levels are looked for. It was being discussed on one of the other threads this morning so I had to look it up. 

      It used to be thought that 30 nmol/l was OK - now it is accepted that above 50 and preferably 75nmol/l is the level you need. This is an excellent summary:

      https://patient.info/doctor/vitamin-d-deficiency-including-osteomalacia-and-rickets-pro

      and says

      "Serum 25-OHD concentrations between 50-75 nmol/I are considered healthy but optimal vitamin D status is when serum concentrations of 25-OHD are 75 nmol/L (30 micrograms/L) or more"

      Serum vit D should be at its highest in September after a summer out in the sun and that stock is what keeps your body running over the winter, using what is stored over the season so that it will then be at its lowest in May before the sun is strong enough to produce vit D in skin. Of course if you aren't producing enough vit D from sun the stocks WON'T increase through the summer and will jsut run down even further during the winter.

      So the times to check vit D levels are September and May - whether you want to repeat it every 6 months like that is up to you and your pocket of course. But one or the other every year is a good start and if you go on a high dose kick to get the level up you need a check at the end to see if you need more (or a bit less the next time). If it gets above 150 then you should maybe cut back a bit - but it isn't really dangerous until you get closer to 200.

    • Posted

      Vit D Report just said >96 

      30-96 ng/mL is range, and a note saying "if you are not taking vitamin supplement, suggest you consult your physician"

      this was in May.

      august I had metabolic panel done and calcium Serum 9.6 (8.7-10.2 range)

       

    • Posted

      oh and when diagnosed with PMR my Vit D was 29. 
    • Posted

      Right - math lesson!

      To convert a test result measured in ng/ml to one measured in nmol/l, multiply the ng/ml number by 2.5. For example, 20 ng/ml is the same as 50 nmol/l (20 x 2.5).

      To convert a test result measured in nmol/l to one measured in ng/ml, divide the nmol/l number by 2.5. For example, 50 nmol/l is the same as 20 ng/ml (50÷2.5).

      So, the range: 30-96ng/ml is the same as 75-240 nmol/l and you have improved your vit D level by a LOT!

      I assume they said you should consult your physician because the level can only normally be accounted for by taking a supplement and so you may have a problem if you aren't taking a supplement.

      Anyway, I would get it checked towards the end of September to make sure you are still in the acceptable range. 

      That calcium level is fine.

      ​But wouldn't life be simpler for us if everyone worked on the same units...

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