You won’t find me talking about health – especially my health – much, but as I crawl back up from taking a Vitamin D plunge, I thought it would be helpful to ask: do you know your Vitamin D level? It might surprise you. Having been healthy most of my life, I tend to take my health for granted. Maybe not, anymore.
This past year I knew my energy levels were not what they were even the year before, and every time I traveled, it seemed I either became ill or got sick once I was home. A shocker on my latest travels was not being able to lift my carry-on into the overhead bin. And sure enough, when I got home my body crashed.
Optimum levels of Vitamin D (a hormone really) are well above 30, and mine was an 8. Yes, an 8. What I found out is that the further from the equator you live, the more prevalent low levels of D are. But mine was not just low, it was in the severe deficiency zone. Yikes. Living in the Pacific NW, we not only have less sun, but even when the sun is shining, it is at a lower slant.
Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include:
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
What can you do to keep your D levels up?
- Take a sunbath for 10 to 15 minutes, between 10 am and 2 pm. Wear sunscreen on your face – we don’t need wrinkles! – but get some sun on your arms and legs. Be careful not to burn.
- Drink milk! It’s almost impossible to get adequate vitamin D from food, but drinking milk (my yogurt and cheese did not have vitamin D) and eating fish like salmon will help.
- See your doctor for a blood test. If you are deficient, she will advise you about supplementation. My doctor told me once my levels are optimum, I will be on maintenance supplementation for life.
Why is it important? Because in addition to making you feel sick, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cancer, multiple sclerosis and alzheimer’s disease, to name a few. Yikes.
I’m on the road to feeling better, but I admit I was a little scared of how sick I felt. I’m thankful it is something so easily remedied. With the release of my novel, A PLACE IN HIS HEART, I’m excited about the travel I have planned. Coming up is the Romance Writer’s of America Conference, and I’m excited about signing my book at the “Readers For Life” Literacy Autographing event. I might not be hoisting my carry-on just yet, but I’m looking forward to enjoying the writing community once again!
How about you? Do you know what your D level is?
Comments 8
Good reminder to have mine rechecked. Mine got down to 17 and I had to take a prescription once but they never said anything about maintenance .Thank you for the info.
I too have low Vitamin D and feel very ill, exhausted and in pain, especially my legs. What is it that you take to remedy the situation? Just Vitamin D3 from the pharmacy or is there something else you can by prescription from your doctor to help boost the level?
PLEASE, I’d really appreciate a response.
Thank you
Louise, my doctor gave me a prescription for the Vitamin D3 – Cholecalciferol. It’s prescription because it’s a very high dose. It’s very important to have your doctor monitor the Vitamin D as it is one of the vitamins that can become toxic. My regimen involves having my levels rechecked after one month, and if I am back up to acceptable levels, I’ll go on a maintenance of 2,000 units per day for life.
I hope you check with your doctor soon ~ I know how miserable you must feel! I’m enjoying little sunbaths, too, and I think that helps – but you have to be so careful because of the skin cancer dangers, and here in the Pacific NW we have limited sun opportunities :o)
Take care and let me know how you are doing!
Rebecca,
I’m so glad you found out what was zapping your energy and it was easily treatable. Launching into a marketing campaign for your debut novel is not the time to have an energy crash! Hope your levels are balancing out and that you will feel better soon : )
I am feeling SOOOO much better, Cynthia, just in the last day or two! I’d forgotten how good “good” is!!
Rebecca,
Thank you for sharing this. I have vitamin D deficiency, too. The pain and lack of energy is devastating. It came on gradually and I didn’t know what was happening. I hurt so badly that the pain distracted my concentration to the point I couldn’t work. The first time I took the prescribed vitamin D I felt like a new person. I am now learning to balance things and try to get the amount I need. Your suggestions are great. I also found that if I miss my prescription I go right back to the misery I felt before. I’m thankful my doctor knew what to look for and has helped me. I pray you can continue to travel and enjoy your life as a writer.
Penny
It is devastating, isn’t it? I think a lot of doctor’s overlook checking the Vitamin D level. I know that though I kind of hit rock bottom in June, I hadn’t felt too well for over a year – more like two. It took a long time to figure it out and it was my hubby’s doctor that actually suggested having it checked! Turns out that my thyroid is low, too, and I am so thankful that both deficiencies are so easily treated! In the last two days I am beginning to feel on the road to feeling like myself again! Thanks for sharing your experience! I hope it helps those who are suffering too!
Good post and warning. How easy to take things for granted. Thanks for sharing.