My Vitamin D Deficiency
In this post, I wanted to talk about my Vitamin D deficiency which was diagnosed recently. I hope other people who are suffering from chronic pain, mental health problems, the menopause or low immunity to bacteria will find this information useful. The reason is that Vitamin D deficiency symptoms are similar, so they are ignored if you have other medical problems. In my case, the levels of Vitamin D were extremely low, so the problem had been going on for a long time. Consequently, severe conditions can arise if this deficiency isn’t detected.
Here is my personal experience of Vitamin D deficiency.
I have various health problems which make some days uncomfortable, tiring, and filled with pain. I have a disc problem in my back, I’m going through the menopause (don’t get me started!) a complication of shingles which lead to nerve damage and minor anxiety and depression.
Unfortunately, I take lots of medication but I had been working on reducing this, adding some core exercises and generally trying to look after myself a little better, and it was working!
Did you notice I said was working?
About six weeks ago I started feeling worse than ever. The pain I usually suffered in my back and shoulder had spread to my whole body and there was terrible stiffness and aching in my fingers and toes. There was a cold I just couldn’t shake off and the hot flushes from the menopause suddenly turned me into a horrible sweaty mess.
My family wanted me to go to the doctor, but the symptoms seemed so random. I thought if I went to see my GP with such a strange list of ailments, he would think I was a complete hypochondriac!
In the end, I had to go. I knew there was something else wrong!
The doctor sent me for blood tests and the results were back the next day.
I have a Vitamin D deficiency, my recording is almost zero and I have to take a prescribed supplement just twice per week for at least six weeks.
I almost hugged the doctor and skipped out of the surgery. Not only did I know what was wrong, but it was also a really quick fix.
Why am I Telling You All This?
The thing is, anyone who suffers from chronic pain could have this deficiency without ever knowing about it. Someone going through the menopause or who suffers from anxiety and depression would not necessarily notice a difference because the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are the same!
All it takes is one blood test to diagnose and it is easily treatable.
I was totally unaware that lack of a vitamin in your body can cause such severe pain. Having researched this, and other deficiencies, I now realise that vitamins are so important.
Even if you are sure that you are getting all the vitamins your body needs, you can never be sure that your body is processing them properly.
How To Increase Levels of Vitamin D In Your Body
-
Sunlight. Sit in direct sunlight for fifteen minutes, without sunblock.
-
Diet. Here are some foods rich in Vitamin D.
Salmon, Herrings, Sardines
Tuna
Shrimps
Eggs
Mushrooms
3. Supplements This quote is from the NHS guidelines.
Because it’s difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone, many of us risk not getting enough. Taking a supplement helps to keep levels of the vitamin topped up during the colder months.
Who is most likely to be Vitamin D deficient?
1 People with darker skin.
2 Adults over 55
3 Vegans and vegetarians
4 Office Workers
Additional Information
This is a direct quote from University Health News (UHN)
10 Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms You Can Identify Yourself
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms have been linked to numerous health problems, including heart disease, depression, and even cancer.[1] Here are 10 signs you’re not getting enough vitamin D:
- Depression or anxiety
- Bone softening (low bone density) or fractures
- Fatigue and generalized weakness
- Muscle cramps and weakness
- Joint pain (most noticeable in the back and knees)
- Blood sugar issues
- Low immunity
- Low calcium levels in the blood
- Mood changes and irritability
- Weight gain
Other symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include exhaustion and decreased endurance; impaired wound healing (click here); and spasms in the muscles of the hands and feet.
8 Signs Your Body Is Begging for Vitamin D Published by BrightSide in December 2018
This Youtube video is concise and informative. I found it interesting, I hope you do too!
Recommended Supplements
I’d really like to hear from anyone else with this vitamin deficiency. What were your symptoms, how did you react to the medication and how are you feeling now?
Waggy Tales 
I also take capsules twice a day for this as prescribed by my GP who discovered it during a routine blood test. Now been taking them for around three years …
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Have you seen a difference since you started taking them? Thank you for your comment, I’m desperate for more information.
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Vitamin D is huge! I found out mine was low in 2013 just after having my fifth child. I was having hypothyroid symptoms which is why mine was overlooked as the symptoms overlap. When I developed another autoimmune disease, my holostic doc checked it. Thing is: I was already taking supplements and they weren’t working. I ended up needing liquid drops on my tongue and still do today.
Excellent post. More people need to know about it. 😉 I’m glad you became of aware of yours!
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I cannot believe the effect that lack of a vitamin can have, I’ve never felt so ill. Like you say when symptoms overlap it can so easily be missed. Gosh I didn’t know that you had five children, how do you find the time to work on your amazing blog? Thank you for the feedback, I don’t like to bore people with my medical problems but it might help someone who is in a lot of pain. To be honest the ‘loaded’ dose I’m taking has really bad side effects but the doctor wants me to stick it out because there was no Vitamin D in my body. Take care x
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I would check into Perque liquid drops if I were you. It’s the only thing that worked for me and it fixed my vitamin D issues in just over a month. You might be a person who doesn’t absorb well like me. The drops last for a really long time and you just drop them on your tongue. Just a thought. They might help you.
Thanks for your positive comment. 😉 I don’t really have time and it looks like I’m going to have to quit soon. It’s been two years and I’ve done okay, but something’s going to have to change in the near future. Everything takes time and unfortunately I don’t have enough free time anymore.
I hope you’re feeling better now that’s it been awhile. ❤⚘😁
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I am hypothyroid too and after complaining for the umpteenth time about my symptoms, my doc ran a full panel. My vitamin D was really low and she put me on a once a week pill for 12 weeks. I am on week 1….dont see a difference yet. I still have to nap daily, my joints, bones and muscles still ache to the point of almost not being able to walk. We’ll see, I’m trying to be optimistic. Thing is, I take a multi vitamin, I’m always out in the sun, I eat shrimp etc….how am I still deficient?
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Sorry to hear that you’re having such pain and tiredness Cassie. I know how bad it is and it takes time to get back to normal levels of vitamin D. The good thing is that your dr found out what was wrong and you’re on the right path. I really hope you start to feel much better soon and thanks for taking the time to comment.Take care x
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Thank you so much for telling me about the Perque liquid drops. I am willing to try anything! You may have hit the nail on the head about my body not absorbing well. Honestly, my dr knows nothing about this and doesn’t seem to want to find out. I’m so sad to hear that you are having trouble finding time for your blog. Please take a break but come back when the time is right. You must be so busy, but you need something that is yours alone and it is too beautiful to walk away from.
Thank you so much for the advice and take care xx
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