Vitamin D

[Matthew_2]

Has anyone encountered research on what might cause low Vitamin D in ME/CFS?

My Vit. D is very low. What is the most effective way to increase Vit. D? I get a lot of sun exposure, but my gut is horrible. If I take a supplement in capsule form (not a spray), will my gut problems affect the absorption of it?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[wabi-sabi]

Has your doc recommended you a dose? I was tested and then was given a dosage based on my blood level. Seems to have done the trick on retesting, since I came up to normal. On the other hand, it doesn't make any difference to how I feel.

 

[Matthew_2]

Yes, 10,000 IU/day was the recommendation. My current level is 25 ng/mL.

 

[wabi-sabi]

Did your doc specify oral or something else? If they don't say, they usually mean oral. I take mine oral and absorb just fine.

 

[Heartl]

I would eat more seafood

 

[wabi-sabi]

This is a good reference for Vitamin D info and sources:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

Based on the info here, I doubt you would be able to get 10,000IU/day with dietary sources alone unless you want to down cod liver oil by the cupful which sounds a bit nasty.

 

[Matthew_2]

Thanks for the reference.

 

[Wolfcub]

Yes I think certain gut conditions can affect the absorption of vitamin D supplements.

Stomach juices, pancreatic secretions, bile from the liver, the integrity of the wall of the intestine — they all have some influence on how much of the vitamin is absorbed. Therefore, conditions that affect the gut and digestion, like celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, and cystic fibrosis, can reduce vitamin D absorption.

Quoted from this webpage: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/9-things-that-can-undermine-your-vitamin-d-level

The solution may be to take a little more? Check that idea with the doctor.

 

[kangaSue]

Gut problems can be a catch 22 issue where vitamin D is concerned;
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27515213 Vitamin D deficiency changes the intestinal microbiome reducing B vitamin production in the gut. The resulting lack of pantothenic acid adversely affects the immune system, producing a "pro-inflammatory" state associated with atherosclerosis and autoimmunity. (2016)

You can get megadose intramuscular injections of cholecalciferol (anything from 200,000 to 600,000iu).
https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2005...-megadose-cholecalciferol-treatment-vitamin-d