Vitamin D - Theories

[Quixotic1]

We need a thread or two devoted to theories of how disruption of Vitamin D activity can lead to disease.  I have invited others to discuss thier views in a dedicated thread, but have not been taken up on the offer.  There are two main views out there regarding the very common finding of low D3 levels in people with autoimmune diseases and with MS

1)  The low D3 is itself one of the triggering factors in causing disease.  This may be from a genetic dispostion to poor absorption and/or possible inadequate exposure to the UV rations needed to synthesize Vitamin D in the skin.

2) The low measured D3 levels are a secondary effect of another disease process and have nothing to do with taking in or synthesizing too little Vitamin D, but rather over-activity of the most active form of Vitamin D.

The floor is open to discussion.

Quix

[aiMelissa]

My vitamin D is low.  Not sure which one (didn't know there were different vit d) but it was hydroxy something.

With my liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, people can become deficient in fat soluable vitamins.  So that may be the cause.  But since it is an autoimmune illness I could have had low Vit D before that was just never checked.

I have been taking 50,000 iu of vit d weekly for 3 months and just got my re-draw done.  Interesting point.  They said the theraputic level of Vit D is supposed to be 30 or 34 (something like that) or higher and mine was 21.

[monotreme]

The upper limit for D3 blood levels used to be 15.  Then recently, in the past twelve months, the desired level was boosted first to 30, and now some labs are at 50 for the optimum blood level.  Anyone with a neurologic or auto-immune level needs to have their D level at 50 - 75.

D1 and D2 are not nearly as important as D3.  D3 is a direct modulator of the immune system and also helps with neurologic function.   NYU was quite happy that Craig takes 15,000 units a day of D3 and has his level at 53 so far.

nikki: that doctor who told you that D3 will damage your liver is mis informed.  The latest medical research has shown that people do not get toxic effects from D3 until their level is at 95-100 in the blood.  That amount is extremely rare today, with dimming of the planet from pollution and the frequent use of sunscreen as well as people spending more time indoors.

Please everyone, get your D3 level checked and supplement if necessary.  Many medical studies have been released this year showing a direct correlation between low levels of D3 and breast, prostate and colon cancer, as well as dying an early death from cardiovascular diseases.  And most importantly to this forum, low levels of vitamin D3 have been implicated as a possible cause of MS.  And some studies have shown that D3 supplementation can help slow the progression of MS.

Elaine

[Sunnytoday]

Hmmm... this sounds interesting, and I'd love to have my Vit. D and B checked, but HOW? Do you just ask? My doc's aren't too happy to test anything, so is there anything other way to get it checked? I have stomach and intestinal trouble, so I wouldn't be too surprised at all in many of my vitamins and minerals were way out of wack, due to me not being able to absorb them corrrectly.

Thanks for this great thread!
~Sunnytoday~

[jensequitur]

Sunny, they should have run some tests initially when you went in to Dr. WTF to eliminate heavy metal poisoning.  That should have included vitamin levels and thyroid, too.  I wouldn't be surprised if they hadn't, though, considering how much trouble you're having with this neuro.

[saraht79]

Funny that you brought this up because my little brother (in his first year of med school this year) spent all last year studying vitamin D with an extremely well-known doctor who is an expert in this field. His recommendation to me after working for a year is that I should be taking 1,000 IU a day. Interestingly, this year my specialist in Boston (who I trust completely and she is the only doctor I say that about) has just started recommending that her patients take 800IU a day. The research is out there. No one is getting enough but MS patients specifically should be taking supplements...
Of course, don't ask me to explain why. My brother is much better at doing that! Maybe I'll try to get him to post something for me on this thread.

[julia111]

I enjoy following these types of threads . . .  and although I don't have any other knowledge about Vit D, I wanted to comment that it seems like a day doesn't go by where I don't see some sort of "article" or "reference" to the health benefits of Vitamin D.  

I guess this means that very soon we'll be seeing Vitamin D showing up in everything . . . cosmetics, body lotions, fortified foods etc . . .