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irisblue

(34,417 posts)
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 05:02 PM Nov 29

I asked my PCP to draw a Vitamin D level at my last visit.

I am really really low. I was suspecting it b/c my antidepressants were not working. Depression napping was a real thing.
I am not a doctor, I do not play one on TV, but it might be useful for us depressed people to get VitD levels checked in the gray season.

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I asked my PCP to draw a Vitamin D level at my last visit. (Original Post) irisblue Nov 29 OP
I think everyone with a mood disorder should get their Vit D levels checked. Irish_Dem Nov 29 #1
My vitamin D was low too. I took a very high dose for applegrove Nov 29 #2
Low D can also cause confusion and dementia like symptoms ms liberty Nov 29 #3
Vitamin D deficiency is also a result of aging due to lack of Sun exposure.Get a blood test. surfered Nov 29 #4
I got one b/c I asked for it. It is NOT a standard regular blood level irisblue Nov 29 #5
My wife's was low. Lunabell Nov 29 #6
Good to know XanaDUer2 Nov 29 #7
Thank you irisblue Nov 29 #8
I got lucky. ShazzieB Nov 29 #9
I had a deficiency, too. synni Nov 30 #10

Irish_Dem

(59,744 posts)
1. I think everyone with a mood disorder should get their Vit D levels checked.
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 05:08 PM
Nov 29

Depression, severe fatigue, etc., are common with low Vitamin D levels.

applegrove

(123,619 posts)
2. My vitamin D was low too. I took a very high dose for
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 05:09 PM
Nov 29

a few months then a medium high maintenance dose from here on in. I don't get outside enough.

surfered

(3,766 posts)
4. Vitamin D deficiency is also a result of aging due to lack of Sun exposure.Get a blood test.
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 05:48 PM
Nov 29

irisblue

(34,417 posts)
5. I got one b/c I asked for it. It is NOT a standard regular blood level
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 06:11 PM
Nov 29

Like a CBC or cholesterol levels are.

The lab tech said there was a chance that Medicare might deny payment, but w/the history of increased depression & really low levels I might not have to argue for the lab to be paid.

Lunabell

(7,065 posts)
6. My wife's was low.
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 06:19 PM
Nov 29

And her homophobic VA nurse practitioner didn't do anything about it. She knew she was having severe muscle pain. For months my wife suffered from muscle cramps as the lack of vitamin D leeched the calcium out of her bones. Finally, her psychiatrist saw the lab report and ordered her a stat loading dose of 50,000 iu. And then 5000 iu a day.

Her muscle cramps decreased significantly. Such an incompetent ARNP. Either that or uncaring.

irisblue

(34,417 posts)
8. Thank you
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 08:43 PM
Nov 29

I am glad to realize that I was right AND the PA listened carefully to my concerns.

ShazzieB

(18,927 posts)
9. I got lucky.
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 09:08 PM
Nov 29

My vitamin D level was low, and I only found out because my NP included it in my routine annual blood work a couple of years ago. I've been taking a vitamin D supplement ever since.

I feel very fortunate that she had that test run, as it was not something that I would have ever known to ask for.

synni

(86 posts)
10. I had a deficiency, too.
Sat Nov 30, 2024, 11:40 AM
Nov 30

I spent a lot of time in bed, which is unusual for me. I have fibromyalgia and the associated fatigue, but this was on a whole new level.

Three months and some prescription Vitamin D later, at least I'm not in bed all day. It made a big difference.

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