couchtripper

I went to the doctor for the ol' check up, figuring I would get the "you need to lose weight" speech and I would be on my merry way. Well, I did get that, but in reviewing the blood work, it was determined that I have a vitamin D deficiency. How does one in the SUNSHINE state have a vitamin D deficiency, you ask? Well apparently it is fairly common as we have all had it beaten into our heads to wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun. A mondo dose of Vit D once a week and a promise to remember my daily vitamins and all should be good. It is still pretty amazing to me...

I also have an owie arm from a tetanus shot....that is just a blatant bid for sympathy. My trainer had none for me this morning, sooo....

I was surprised I didn't have a low level of vitamin D - what with living here and hardly ever seeing the sun! But it seems to be ok, even though I've not even had a tan for years.

Does it make you feel ill to have low levels of it though?

Not really, but I will be able to answer that better when the levels are back up to normal. I feel fine now, but maybe I will feel even better when things are leveled out.

Generally doesn't make you feel bad, but you can develop bone problems........Rickets is on the rise again. Plus Vit. D can also help protect against cancer. It's recommended that most people take a 1000 unit supplement daily (very inexpensive, too!).

Well so far so good...I have remembered my vitamins every day. Taking them at dinner as the doc suggested makes it a little easier...

I have to take Vit D with my calcium as well. I have problems with both. Even though I lived in NM for years! It's crazy!

You don't need vast amounts of sunlight to produce vitamin D, but ones ability to do it drops off quickly as one begins to get a bit less young (especially the ladies).

Be careful with vitamin supplements though. It can be easy to overdose on some (like vitamin D) and if you take too much it can actually have a negative effect on the bones. A colleague of mine has recently been through this.

Currently I am taking script Vit D, 1 per week for 8 weeks. We will see what the doc says for upkeep...

The Naked Scientists discussed Vitamin D in a recent podcast. You can also find a layman's discussion on Security Now. (Just fast forward past the dated security news.)

Vitamin D can also be a factor in catching colds as I understand. I was surprised to learn that some of the only food sources of Vitamin D are fish (which I rarely eat) and eggs. I've since started supplementing my diet with Vitamin D as a result.