Much better day today

[ellid]

Yesterday was busy, had many things go wrong, and ended with me half-convinced that my recent bloodwork had indicated something wrong. My doctor had called and left a message at home that I didn't get until after she'd gone home for the night, so you can imagine what *that* felt like.

Well. Turned out not to be nearly as bad as I thought it was. The reason she called was because I'm severely Vitamin D deficient, as in less than half the acceptable level. I've been put on supplements, effective immediately, and urged to get out in the sun more often, which should do the trick. It also may help with my memory and cognition issues, since Vitamin D deficiency is associated with dementia.

Other than that, blood sugar, thyroid, cholesterol, hormones, creatinine, and so on are fine, AND I've lost over twenty pounds thanks to diet and exercise. Now I just need to take my horse pills once a week....:)

Comments

[musikologie.livejournal.com]

Yay Vitamin D level! How low was it? My record was 7. :P

[ellid.livejournal.com]

12. I was shocked, and even more shocked when the doctor's assistant told me that she sees a LOT of Vitamin D deficiency. It's part of being in the Northeast, I guess.

*longs for some vitameatavegemin*

[musikologie.livejournal.com]

My mother, grandmothers, and I have all tested extremely low - I think being in the NE does have something to do with it, especially since doctors tell you to limit your sun exposure to protect your skin! I was amazed how increasing my level (last I checked, it was up to 43) helped my fatigue levels and my mental clarity, it's pretty amazing!

[ellid.livejournal.com]

It's the mental clarity I'm particularly interested in. Mum died of Alzheimer's and I've noticed some of the some symptoms cropping up since the hemorrhoid surgery in July, which of course has been mildly terrifying. If the Vitamin D helps, I'll be delighted.

[samantha-vimes.livejournal.com]

Yay! for helpful and non-scary medical reports.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

Yep! Thanks!

[stasia]

I was also terrifying low in VitD; the pills were bright green and tasted oddly salty. I was on 50K IU for 8 weeks!

I'm glad your news was not as scary as it could have been.

Stasia

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I think I'm on the same pills for the next three months. Lucky me!

[ladyaelfwynn.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised at how many vitamins are related to cognition. Towards the end of the time between my B-12 shots for the pernicious anemia, I'm certain I'm slowly going daft. I have a hard time thinking up words for things (I'll remember words for near things or similarly shaped things but the word I want just won't come.)

After the shot I'm good to go for about a week and then it's a slow decline. The vitamins help, when I can remember to take them. (It's the morning one that's difficult as it's the only thing I take.)

It's really freaking frustrating and sometimes, I hate how my body has decided hot to work. (I know it could be worse; but I really wish it was just working as it should.)

[ellid.livejournal.com]

That's the feeling I've had since the hemorrhoid surgery: like my brain isn't firing correctly all the time. If I weren't so used to having a good memory it wouldn't be nearly as scary!

[hugh-mannity.livejournal.com]

For ongoing Vitamin D maintenance, I recommend NSI Vitamin D Drops.

There are 900 drops to a $10 bottle which lasts me about 6 months. I take 3 or 4 drops a day in summer, and 5 or 6 in the winter. My vitamin D level runs in the 50s. I very rarely get colds and haven't had flu in years. I'll often get a cold at the beginning of the winter/flu season if I haven't upped my dose to the winter level. I don't bother to take them during Pennsic -- I figure I'm outside enough then that I don't need it.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I'll keep that in mind once my levels are back up to something approaching normal. Thanks!

[danabren.livejournal.com]

Yay, come sit over here on the Vit D bench! I'm taking 30k IU daily from Borage Oil, plus taking several other additional D-inclusive supplements.

Congrats, you're clearly a Goth ;)

[ellid.livejournal.com]

Is THAT why I want a steampunk outfit?????

[danabren.livejournal.com]

Steam is NOT Goths who have discovered brown ;)

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Awesome how things are getting put into good order -- go you!

[roonilwazlib6.livejournal.com]

Do you mind if I ask you what your diet is? I've been struggling with my weight for years and I've tried Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, everything, and nothing works. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

Including fruits and vegetables at all or most meals, shifting to whole wheat or whole grain breads, taking MiraLax every night, and cutting drastically back on sodas, high fructose corn syrup, and processed foods in general. I've also started exercising again, which means about ten minutes on the weight machines and 30 minutes on the treadmill several times a week.

I didn't actually set out to lose weight - I was tired of being out of breath all the time, which is why I got a Planet Fitness membership. The dietary changes started after I had hemorrhoid surgery in July and was told by my doctor that I had to up my fiber intake to avoid a recurrence. The easiest way to do was that to eat more fruits and veggies, which meant more scratch cooking and less take out. So...it's not really a diet, it's a new way of approaching food and drink.

Good luck!

[harpnfiddle.livejournal.com]

I was that low last year and went on the mega dose for 4 months, but didn't follow through with a daily dose after that. Just had my levels this year, and although better were only 18 and low normal is 32. We had Dr Holick (The Vitamin D Solution: A 3-Step Strategy to Cure Our Most Common Health Problem) at last month's Grand Rounds. What a dynamic speaker! In New England, it is impossible to get enough sun to make enough Vitamin D. The angle of the sun in all but 3 months is too low even if you went out naked every day. Once your level is normal, he recommended 2K-5K IU daily.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

The nurse told me that Vitamin D deficiency is very common around here - given how little I go out in the sun, I'm amazed it's taken this long to show up!

[harpnfiddle.livejournal.com]

PCPs have recently started testing for it, since it is getting more publicity.

[zaduzbina.livejournal.com]

Vitamin D deficiency is a very common thing nowadays. All that sun we've been avoiding and that milk we haven't been drinking due to cholesterol.

I took 50,000units for 2 months and am maintained on 2,000units per day.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

That's basically what I'm looking at. We'll see!

[orphandani.livejournal.com]

Iz so happies for youze!! **HUGS**