Vitamin D Testing

No.  Does not make sense to do that

Had my first Vit D test in Dec.  & it came back as 'low'.  I took supplemental calcium & D3 for 2 weeks prior to the blood draw, but nobody said to stop before draw. 

Just took first of 6, weekly, prescription doses of D forte (D2?).  I'm to complete the repletion, resume 2 weeks of D3 & have another test.   Hope my D comes up...bone density concerns.

cheers

suegr8 - it can take a while for the D level to improve so don't panic if it doesn't happen super fast!

Kim, a thought...have you asked for a prescription of vit D?  My nutritionist recommended it & asked the NP to prescribe it.  The intervention is called 'repletion'.  The capsule I'm taking is 50,000 per week for 6 weeks.  (but this isn't over the counter D.)

SpecialK    thanks for the info...I tend to be a little impatient when I take something & expect results, well... yesterday!  Mid March for the retest - want to be up from 68.

cheers

Hi, I was told to stop all supplements a week before my surgery. My anaesthetist said that it was because they could never be really sure what was in them all that may contraindicate withth anaesthesia or the other meds they were going to use after the surgery. When I told him I was nervous about going of my Olive Leaf extract because of its benefits he said that I could keep taking that.

The day after my surgery I noticed that they gave me a Vit D with the other meds.

i read recently that most people who are tested for Vit D levels are coming up low now because we spend so much less time in the sun which is the only natural way to get Vit D. Here in Australia just about everyone I know is taking Vit D supplements to boost their calcium levels. 

Special   Yes, that's the test administered.  But, I read on my printout that 30-74 is the 'low' range.  'normal' is 75 and up range. 

cheers

My initial vit D level at time of dx was 18 -- my bs thought this quite low and had emailed my pcp to "work with me" on bringing it up  She did not contact me, and when he found out said he would contact her a second time to make sure I started supplementing with Vitamin D3. He was not happy.  My MO, however, told me my Vit D level was "slightly low" and, for bone health, I should not worry too much because there was no credible information to do otherwise. (another reason I may fire this guy).  I was warned online not to ask for the prescription kind, which is usually D2 and not that helpful.  My pcp told me to take 2,000 mg a day, so I started with 4,000 mg a day. (I live by the motto: If a little is good, more must be better).  That brought it up a littlle after 4 months, so I began taking 5,000 a day...was just tested, and my level is now 55.  I plan on getting it up to 65-70 if possible. I am using it for the chemopreventative qualities, not for bone health, per se.

Hi SpecialK

Confusing this D thing!  I'm reading my lab report now.  Perhaps there's a discrepancy in the units of measure?  Mine says

"25-hydroxy Vit D       result 68           ref range 75-250     unit nmol/L     flag   LO

25-74nmol/L: Vitamin D Insufficient"

I notice that the MedlinePlus article unit of measure is ng/ml.  Maybe difference in Canadian vs US lab report?  I will ask at the lab next time I'm there.

cheers 

suegr8 - mystery solved!

I read somewhere that being overweight makes it harder to absorb the Vit D.  

Mary625   Not sure where this fits in with your Vit D experience...I just took my 3rd prescription capsule Vit D of 50,000 units, so half way thru my 'repletion'.  I am feeling stronger so I hope my bones are getting stronger.

cheers