Vitamin D deficiency

[fenway1971]

Switched GI's and new GI ran quite detailed blood tests on first visit (i'm liking her thoroughness already). Everything came back normal except i'm vitamin D deficient. Supposed to be >30, but i'm at 17. She recommended supplements.

Anyone else with this issue? Is it a crohn's thing or just me?

 

[Jeff D.]

You may be having difficulty absorbing Vitamin D which a Crohnnie having absorbtion problems is not unusual. Many of us have them. I used to have a problem absorbing fats and iron but now I don't have that problem any more. Good luck and I hope the supplements work for you. Try to take your vitamin with food as the vitamin will mix in better so it will be absorbed more easily.

 

[D Bergy]

Low vitamin D is one of the reoccurring things that keep popping up with many autoimmune diseases. It may be that our indoor lifestyle is helping to increase the incidence of these diseases.

Sunlight is by far the best way to get adequate D. Hard to do in my latitude in the winter time.

Danb

 

[soupdragon69]

This is the third time I have discussed this in recent months...

Have a look at the Vit D thread that Mikeyarmo started in the food section a couple of weeks back.

I have Vit D deficiency and raised it last October here as I discovered that research shows if you are low in Vit D it can impact on the level of inflammation you have crohns wise. It can be a vicious circle because if you have inflammation you dont absorb well either.

My levels dropped despite being on oral supplements for 18mths and I ended up with intramuscular injections. Rheumatology that discovered it (not gastro) are going to recheck my levels on 4th Feb again and try to work out whether I will need ongoing injections or if those I had have sorted me.

Generally you are given Vit D and calcium together as the first helps the uptake of the second and thats why its important you have good Vit D levels.

Just make sure they recheck your levels fairly regularly. I have asked my GI if my other fat soluble vits need checking too now and am waiting to hear when I see him in clinic in the next few weeks.

Have a look at that thread as I said that Mikeyarmo started..

Let us know how you get on.

 

[Guest]

yep, my last couple of blood tests showed an increasing Vit D deficiency.. i'm trying to rectify this myself with the Calcium & Vit D tablets, and multivits. i'll find out how my level's doing when i have my next blood test.

i've had some hair loss over the past months, and i believe this is due to the Vit D deficiency..

 

[Matt645]

A one a day cod liver oil capsule has all the vit D you should need providing you absorb it.

 

[D Bergy]

The problem with Cod Liver Oil is it also has so much vitamin A in it. Too much vitamin A makes for osteoporosis because it renders the vitamin D ineffective for building bones.

Vitamin A is turning out to be a villain if you get too much. And no one is yet sure what too much is.

Dan

 

[s.a.m.]

Does a lack of Vit D cause hair loss? =(

 

[Guest]

hi S.A.M. - i did find a link on the net between Vit D deficiency and hair loss.. posted about it in an earlier thread, here.. http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=4188&highlight=hair+loss

 

[NatalieMT]

I have the same problem, however my gastro has given me Calcichew D3 supplements to take 4 times daily I think now. So hopefully those will start addressing the issue.

 

[soupdragon69]

Keep an eye on things Natalie as I was on Adcal/calcichew for 18mths and my Vit D still dropped!

 

[NatalieMT]

I guess it's not a miracle pill then, ah wishful thinking hey! Atleast with the Elemental at the moment I'm getting lots of vitamins. Hopefully starting azathioprine/imuran soon, went for the TPMT test today. If I do go on that it will mean regular blood tests, so I suppose along with those they can check levels for me too.

 

[fenway1971]

Interesting post on Vitamin A. My nutrionist suggested I take it as a supplement which I have been. Wonder if I should stop. . .

 

[TammySue62]

Does a lack of Vit D cause hair loss? =(

I now its another crohns side effect cause mine is still falling out
has been non stop for almost a year now. At this rate I will be bald sooner
then later.


I take a multi-vit;and 1000mg of Vit D and hair is still falling out.

IS THERE ANY THING ELSE THAT SOME ONE COULD RECCOMAND
I CANT TAKE CALCIUM PILLS EITHER. MY BOWELS DONT GET ALONG
WITH THEM.

 

[TammySue62]

So does the BIOTIN really work?

 

[Wolfie]

I have had Crohns since 2001 and this is my first Vit D blood test at my request.
I don't know if mine is low or not. I do take Calcium with Vit D.