Hi migotokokoro,

"Although vitamin D is now frequently measured in older adults, due to a higher level of awareness in this population, it is rarely measured in young people - especially healthy adolescents,"

I actually just got diagnosed with very low Vitamin D and the doc put me on 50,000 IU twice a week for the next 3 months. I took the first one on Thursday... and already I'm feeling much better!!! A lot of my problems don't seem as bad (the body aches, etc). Even my period came exactly when it was supposed to do.... something it hasn't done on its own in years! Let's see if it impacts my weight loss in any way...

Also..... does anyone know what is a good recommended dose for Vitamin D supplements once I'm off my hardcore med? I've been looking around a lot online... and darned if it doesn't seem that there's 20 million different opinions on how much someone with Vitamin D problems should take to keep it up....

i'm really interested in this thread because my doctor asked me at my appointment last week if I was getting enough vitamin D. I have no clue whether or not I am. I had a bunch of lab work done and got the results in the mail today; my doc jotted on the paper "We are still awaiting the vitamin D result." So apparently she feels it's really important, too!

I also live in Washington, but I live on the sunny side of the state. It's not nearly as cloudy/rainy over here this time of year as it is on the west side of the state, but it's been a long, dark winter so I definitely could be low. It'll be interesting to find out!

I think it is how far north that matters because in the winter the sun doesn't have enough strength to reach Washington. Not the rain.

Hi. I am interested in if you find out anything. I was tested 3 months ago and found to be deficient in vitamin D. My level was 14. I just had blood drawn yesterday for my diabetes appointment next week and will find out then if my daily over the counter suppliments helped. I did recently lose 35lbs, but I gained 10 back. It did not seem to hurt my losing once I was calorie counting and exercising.

I live in Florida and am out in the sun a lot, so I was surprised it was low. However, I never leave the house without at least an spf 15 on my face. The doctor told me go out without sunscreen for about 15 minutes each morning before the sun is too bad.

I wonder if it had to do with some of my diet changes. I stopped eating eggs and switched to egg beaters. My triglycerides went from 109 to 49 though, so I am not switching back to eggs. I do eat yogurt and milk, so I get dairy every day.

The doctor did say recent studies show Vitamin D being important in keeping healthy and could help prevent cancer, but the studies are still being done on that connection.

Well, my doctor called me today and said that my vitamin D levels are VERY low and that I'm to start taking 1,000 iu per day immediately, and to keep it up for 3 months and then she'll test me again. I did a little research, and the body aches and pains, foggy-headedness AND weight gain can all be linked to vitamin D. So I have my supplements and will start taking it tonight with my supper. I'll be interested to see if it makes a difference in how I feel.

I'm sorry that you're not feeling better. Hopefully they'll be able to figure out a solution. That sounds like a drag! Hang in there.

I just got my levels tested yesterday.

I read that living in North America for nearly half the year there's really no possible way to get as much Vitamin D as we technically need to feel healthy, happy, and fit as we should. And even when there is enough available (late spring, summer, early fall), we have to be outside, arms and face bare, for at least 20 minutes a day WITHOUT sunscreen.

So far I've been taking my doctor prescribed supplements for the past month and I've got say I feel more than fabulous compared to what I used to. I feel like I've literally become about 4 years younger. My bones have stopped hurting, even my spine problems don't seem as bad (scoliosis), my nails have become hard again, and my skin problems seem to be going away. I don't think that it's a be all end all for my medical problems, but I think it definitely was a place to start to make me feel better!!

I'm just concerned with exactly how much I should take AFTER I finish my prescribed doses... I'll be darned if I have to go back and pay $60 again for another doc visit PLUS the $300 for the blood tests!! Anyone have any ideas on how much we should take a day??

I live in a sunny area (well, mostly) and I get out in the sun everyday. This is one reason I exercise out doors. I have two sisters with MS and supposedly lower Vit D levels increase your chances of being diagnosed.