Vitamin D Deficiency

[waterworld]

I have hypothyroid issues as well. I’m curious whether those of you who have Hashimoto’s or hypothyroid are also taking thyroid supplements (things like synthroid). If so, can you comment on how much improvement you think is due to the Vit D and how much is from the supplements? I haven’t been taking Vit D supplements, and I haven’t been tested, but this thread makes me think I can almost assume I’m deficient. How much additional improvement over the thyroid supplements could I anticipate?

Time to visit the endocrinologist!

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[squareeyes]

Other than, increased antibodies, a slightly enlarged thyroid, and some perimenopausal symptoms that I thought were completely normal and unavoidable, I did not have much in the way of symptoms of hypothyroidism. I had only insisted to my GP that I needed to see a specialist because of my family’s extensive history of thyroid disorders, with a couple of autoimmune disorders thrown in there. Despite my mimimal symptoms, the endocrinologist put me on cytomel and levoxyl, and voila!, perimenopausal symptoms eased dramatically. I had no idea that could be considered a thyroid issue. Best side effect ever! Anywhoo, in answer to your question WW, I don’t have an answer as I haven’t experienced any notable difference as a result of my adding Vit D supplements, but with the research increasingly indicating that vit D is critically important to sufferers of hypothroidism, and some of the statements above about how Vit D made huge improvements in some people’s energy, it’s certainly something that you should have your endo test.

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[BigPhil]

Anyone have any places nearby that they’d recommend for this type of physical/bloodwork? I’d really like to just get everything possible tested since I’m in my mid 20s and they say it’s a good predictor of what I’ll be looking at when I’m twice that age. I just don’t know what you can really get tested without an actual medical justification outside of curiosity.

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[JustSarah]

I’m sure many people already know this, but iron deficiency is also extremely common in menstruating women and adolescent girls. We lose a lot of iron once a month, and some of us have a harder time replenishing it. When I was 13, I got really sick right before winter break: incredibly fatigued, dizzy, fever, sore throat… just a mess. My doctor first feared it was pneumonia or mononucleosis, but it was actually just iron-deficiency anemia. I missed a week of school and basically just slept the entire time. It’s no joke. I still struggle with iron deficiency and low ferritin levels and have had to take prescription-strength iron supplements several times.

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[squareeyes]

Hey BigPhil, if you’ve got decent health insurance, an annual exam and bloodwork should fall under preventive medicine leaving you to cover the co-pay and a % of the bloodwork costs. I’m happy with the Polyclinic on First Hill, but I’m sure others can recommend a GP or Internist in West Seattle. Since you said you work in Bellevue I can find out my bf’s doctor as he’s located in Bellevue as well, if you like. Let me know.

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[hopey]

For those of you taking or familiar with the Floradix tonic, I would still like to understand which formula you are taking.

I am scheduled to see my GP soon anyway, and plan to ask for a check of my Vit D level. I would like to be able to discuss the tonic with my doctor if my levels are low, but in order to do that I need to know which one!

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[TDe]

“Exposure to vitamin-D-producing UVB light can vary greatly depending upon many factors, including time of day and year; and the latitude, altitude, and prevailing weather conditions of where we live.

Latitude is especially important. For example, if you live north of about 37o (roughly, a line from Richmond to San Francisco), you will be exposed to little UVB from at least November through February because the sun’s zenith angle is so low that the atmosphere absorbs most UVB before it reaches you.”

http://www.healingtherapies.info/Sunlight&VitaminD.htm

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