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THE WELLNESS BLOG |
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Welcome to the Elaine Moore Wellness Blog. It focuses on autoimmune and related diseases, with special emphasis on autoimmune thyroid disorders, and includes the latest alternative and conventional research, diagnostic, and treatment news. My goal in writing this blog is to educate and empower patients and help them on their road to healing.
All blogs written & copyrighted by Elaine Moore © 2011 |
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Vitamin D and Me
Jun
21
Written by:
6/21/2010
Since I take more supplements than anyone I know and I probably sit outside in the sun more than I should, I assumed my vitamin D level would be normal and maybe even high. Because increasing evidence shows that vitamin D affects so many aspects of health, I decided to have my vitamin D level tested. The day before the test I sat in the sun reading for an hour.
To my surprise, my vitamin D level (best measured at 25 OH vitamin D) was low at 21 with a reference range of 30-60. In autoimmune disease, we're supposed to strive for an optimal level of 60.
What I hadn't considered is that my olive skin with excess melanin hinders vitamin D absorption. Also, people with Graves' disease often have a mutation to the vitamin D receptor that prevents us from forming vitamin D hormone from sunlight. And although I had been taking around 3000 IU of vitamin D3 daily, my gluten sensitivity prevents absorption of oils and oil soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K.
Since upping my vitamin D dose to 5000 IU daily I'm undoubtedly absorbing calcium better and sometimes think my restless leg syndrome is improving although it's too soon to say and I suspect I may need a higher supplement dose...something to discuss with my doctor next month. Because low vitamin D levels help perpetuate autoimmune diseases, it's important for all thyroid patients to have their levels checked. It'd be interesting to track the results.
2 comment(s) so far...
I'm desperately searching for an understanding of the connections between Grave's disease, vitamin D, magnesium, and tinnitus. After I began taking methimazole for Grave's disease, I experienced long, heavy menstrual periods. I quit taking my vitamin D/calcium supplement, because I didn't want to interfere with iron absorption, since I was becoming anemic due to blood loss. Turns out I made the problem worse. When I cut back on methimazole, I can get my period to go away. Now I take my iron supplement in the morning, and my calcium/vitamin D/magnesium at night. But recently I had sudden onset deafness and tinnitus in my right ear. I think it's all connected, but I can't tell how.
By Dilega on
8/29/2010
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Hi,
Vitamin D levels are being evaluated and most experts recommend raising the levels. They say that a level of 40-50 is adequate but the new trend is to have levels that are optimal, that is over 60. New research shows that the concern over having vitamin D levels that are too high is an old-way of thinking and that there probably isn't a level that is too high. However, researchers don't recommend taking 50,000 IU indefinitely. For most people, after they've gotten their levels in range using high doses, a maintenance dose of 5000 IU daily should be adequate. Then again, for people like me, a dose of 10,000 is needed to keep levels in range.
Tinnitus is highly related to hypothyroidism as are lengthy periods. Tinnitus can also be caused by allergies, which are common in Graves' disease. The expectorant guaifenesin (Mucinex) is helpful in tinnitus related to allergies. Correcting thyroid hormone levels and making sure FT4 is optimal will help if hypothyroidism is the cause. Best, Elaine
By Elaine on
8/29/2010
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