Posted by Larry Hoover on March 28, 2007, at 12:30:09
In reply to Re: Vitamin D def - Me too - test + Rx » Larry Hoover, posted by Lonely on March 25, 2007, at 0:20:58
> Scanning through this thread with interest!
>
> Late in 2005 my Vitamin D, 25 - hydroxy (whatever that means!) was out of range (low) at 18. The normal range for that lab was 20 - 100. I might also note that I have no trace of B6 w/o treatment and very low (barely in normal range) B12. A neuro explained to me that I'm lacking the enzyme to absorb B6 from food and probably from over-the-counter vitamins. I strongly suspect it's been in my extended family for generations and misdiagnosed as pernicious anemia.Rather than an enzyme, there's a binding protein involved. I hope that doesn't sound picky. There is a transporter mechanism that pumps B6 out of the gut. The same goes for all the water soluble vitamins yet studied. That does not preclude passive mechanisms.....the vitamins can simply dissolve their way into the body, via diffusion.
Also, you could have both problems, defects in the separate uptake pathways for B6 and B12. Now, what is unclear as of yet is whether decreased uptake of one vitamin can limit uptake of others. We're not yet that learned about how things work. But, vitamin B12 deficiency is itself an inhibitor of vitamin B12 uptake, a true vicious circle effect. Maybe B12 is necessary for other mechanisms, too.
> I'm wondering if my low Vit D is also due to some sort of lack of enzyme? I live in a sunny climate but can't stand much sun or heat.
The sun avoidance thingy is probably the limiting factor.
> I'm of northern european descent and on HRT.
I'm unaware of a gender influence. Low melanin production (i.e. difficulty with getting a tan) is associated with decreased D synthesis in skin, but probably because of reduced exposures rather than direct biochemical differences.
> I've been taking Vit D (800 units a day) that was cheap at a discount store. I just saw my doc, one I like and who has been very helpful to me over the years, and he recommended (strongly) Vitamin D-3 50,000 IU. I'm to take one pill once every 2 weeks. He explained it to me but it just really went in one ear and out the proverbial other ear. I had the impression this was a rather recent finding.
Doing the math, you're already taking 11,200 IU every two weeks.
You're still beneath the minimum now being recommended, though, which is 1000 IU/day. All you need to do is take more of what you've already got available. The only benefit of his prescription is convenience. I'd also argue that taking it every day is more likely to lead to better absorption, due to the repeated exposure.
> It's cheap - just a dollar a pill which is $2.00 a month and not something I have to take every day. I have a script for it - don't know if that's required, though.
The strength of the tablets themselves makes it prescription-only. Lower dose tablets are available as OTC.
> I've had low back pain and other aches and pains for years. Definitely have arthritis and mild fibromyalgia. Now wondering if this has anything to do with it!
It's quite possible.
> Glad you brought this up!Glad you paid attention. ;-)
Lar
P.S. It did help to draw my attention, natrfrk. I'd opened the earlier post, but forgot to return to it when I had more brain space.
L
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:739011
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20070227/msgs/744957.html