Do you know your vitamin D level?
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
April 12, 2012 9:33pm CST
Since we live where there is very little sun for months at a time and we are often covered with clothes because it's cold much of the time, there tends to be a lot of people with low vitamin D. My brother was tested and his blood was low in D. So I had mine tested and despite all the milk fortified with D that I drink, I was low. Not dangerously low, but below normal healthy range.
The test says normal, healthy range is 30 to 100. I was 28.2.
The nurse practitioner said that without enough Vitamin D, the calcium doesn't go into your bones, your body doesn't use it.
So do you know your vitmin D level?
2 people like this
10 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
13 Apr 12
They say that 70 - 80 per cent of Americans are Vitamin D deficient. The guidelines are enough to keep you from getting rickets, but that's far from the optimum level. I tested mine a few months ago and I'm still too low - around 25, even after taking supplements. I'm going to up them to twice a day.
Vitamin D is now thought to play a major role in our immune systems as well.
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
13 Apr 12
I've read that. They think it's also the cause of asthma in children, memory loss in older people, heart attacks and cancer. Vitamin D is a lot more important than they've thought up to now and most of us just don't get enough. If we lived a little closer to nature (got outside now and then!), it wouldn't be such a problem. So many people don't even get 15 minutes a day outdoors. It's no wonder our nation is so unhealthy, both physically and mentally.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
I have 3 meds that say, "Avoid sunshine." "Photo-sensitivity." I went out in the sun for less than 5 mins and was burned. The side-effects of my allegy, blood pressure, and cancer meds are all easily burned by the sun.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
13 Apr 12
Also they think people low in vit D for too long, it can affect their mental health and cause depression.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
13 Apr 12
I'd be outdoors even less down there. My skin is very white and I can only be out in sun for 5 minutes at a time-up here. I don't think I could go out in it at all down there.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
13 Apr 12
So as long as you have enouugh calcium and magnesium, you're probably fine.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166761)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Apr 12
I have been reading about this vitamin. It can be synthesized by the body through the skin, then it goes to the liver where prohormone is made. The body makes Vitamin D3 by being out in the sunshine. My level would probably be lower than yours because I rarely go outside. A dificiency can cause premature aging and low bone mineral density. It also has an affect on the immune system. Vitamin D may play a roll in HIV and is used to combat tuberculosis.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
I've also read that it's anti-depression. Esp. in winter.
You can also get some from Vit fortified milk and the bones of certain fish like canned salmon and canned sardines.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55562)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Apr 12
I don't know what my vitamin D level is, but it never came up with the various blood tests I took during the time of my 2 pregnancies (if they even take vitamin D levels into account). I live in sunny Southern California - and I drink the fortified milk . . . but perhaps I really should find out. My sister also lives out here, but she recently found out she had a very low vitamin D level . . . and the big question is how could that be? We get plenty of sun (for goodness sake, she works out in her garden) and eats fairly healthy - so who knows. For now she is taking supplements for it - but not sure for how long.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
13 Apr 12
I'm not sure why she would not be getting enough. Maybe the milk isn't as fortified as we think it is? Maybe her body is using it up as fast as she's getting it for some reason? Maybe the pigment in her skin isn't absorbing it like it used to?
Low absorption does tend to run in families or so they told me. So maybe you should get a test done for it.
@Cherish14 (2693)
• Philippines
14 Apr 12
Hi there,
i haven't had my Vitamin D level checked yet. i am sure it's low too, because i haven't been out under the sun lately, though it is really hot here, it is summer. but i take my vitamins with Vitamin D so i am not sure.
maybe i should have it checked too 
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
I thinik if you had it checked, you would know and feel better about it one way or th other. Not knwoing, it's hard to know what to do. The vitamins might be enough in your case or they might not be enough.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
Maybe you could bring the subject up with your Dr the next time you see him or her.
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
13 Apr 12
Yes Vit D is essential as it helps our bones absorb calcium, that is why babies must be exposed to the early morning sun so they get enough vit d. I was aware of this but i never really though of my own vit d level...how would this be tested? i might ask this..
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
It's a blood test. They took my blood and many hours later, they told me the results. So it can be added to other blood tests.
You must not have any red heads where you live or albinos.
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
14 Apr 12
My doctor has me taking vitamin D every day. It does make me feel better.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
Did the Dr. decide by a blood test or because of menopause or seasonal affective disorder? Arthritis?
Glad it makes you feel better and your dr. recommended it.
@ecaron (678)
• Canada
13 Apr 12
I don't know my vitamin D level but I had a 'bone density test' and the doctor was very concerned saying my bones are getting weak and thin so I need more calcium and vitamin D. I take a supplement called 'Caltrate' and just try to eat better.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
14 Apr 12
I was told that more calcium wouldn't help without enought Vit. D the body couldn't use the more calcium amyway. So the vit D helps. I hope Caltrate has some vit D, too.
How many people in your family are using this same ecaron?
One person seems to be a teenaged-male and one an adult female. It's hard to know who I'm responding to.
