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

[Super_sally888]

Here's the link.  I'll try again.

Just replace the [dot] with .

www[dot]goodhormonehealth[dot]com/VitaminD[dot]pdf

Sally

[julia111]

You're right - it's fascinating! Thanks for sharing!

I've had autoimmune problems for a long time and was recently diagnosed w/ Gluten Intolerance/Sensitivity.  I did not have a biopsy done - so no celiac was dx.d.

[Super_sally888]

Vitamin D, is not actually a 'vitamin'.  It is actually acts like a hormone.  Hormones are important in many functions of the body and deficit of any hormone leads to a cascade of other ill effects.  Vitamin D pharmacology is fascinating.

Parathyroids control calcium levels in the body, vitamin d is critical to this control.  People who lose their parathyroid glands through surgery or injury of some sort will have a very difficult time controlling their calcium levels.  In order to do this they have to take high dose vitamin D3, and calcium.

I was initially diagnoses with parathyroid problem in about 2000, and was on the active form of vit D3 (calcitriol) for about 18 months, after which my calcium levels normalised and I was able to stop the D3.  When I was having my most symptoms (about 15 months ago), i was also having a lot of sun exposure.  My Vit D levels were eventually tested and were found to be high. About twice the maximum lab range.  Can only presume that was good.  Hasn't been tested since then.

Low D, is also seen in Thyroid disease and celiac.  Also autoimmune-related diseases.

I'll put in a link below to an article by Friedman.  
http://www.****.***

On the other hand, there are some diseases that are associated with high vitamin D.  Sarcoidosis is one.

Fascinating stuff.  Couldn't help but contribute.

[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 . . .

[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.

[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.