Low Vit D = 19 & b12...what supplements?
 

Hi, I’ve read a lot of posts on here and it seems that the more I read, the more confused I get about what to supplement my diet with. So, that is the main reason for my post.

I recently had a comprehensive metabolic panel completed at my PCP because I was a new patient and was complaining of fatigue and joint pain in my knees and back. My new PCP said that all of the tests came back normal. I requested a copy of the blood work and saw that my Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy was at 19.3. Next to this, it has an “L” for low. Just thinking out loud, but why would my doctor think this was normal?

My old PCP who moved out of the area previously had me on 50,000 iu of D each week for 8 weeks (little green gel caps). (I told my new PCP this.) From what I’ve read on this forum, 19.3 is too low. Next time I go in, I am going to ask her to test me again…but in the mean time, what is a good amount to be on? What brand/type would you all suggest?

My b12 level is also at 275. I always feel sluggish and I’m just looking for a way to feel better. I just got a b12 shot yesterday, but don’t really feel any different. I am going back once a month for the b12. What is a good supplement for this? I see that a lot of you take Jarrow Methyl b12 from iherb.com. I looked at those, but don't know what dosage I should get.

Thanks for any and all help. I greatly appreciate it!

BTW...I attached a scan of my blood test. It might be too small to read. If you open it in IE, click on it and it will enlarge. I had to make it a jpg because my pdf file size was too big. Thanks!

Welcome to our Vitamin forum:

I can't enlarge your graphic. I use Mozilla, and when I try to zoom it, I get thrown out of the window :thud:

Anyway, the methylcobalamin is low. You can buy online 5mg tablets and take one a day for a couple/3 months, on an empty stomach and then get retested. If you are up near 1000 or more you can then reduce to 1mg a day thereafter to maintain.

The D ... the cap from the doctor is inactive D2 ergocalciferol. Not terribly good. D3 Cholecalciferol is better, and now many places sell it in higher amounts. You can try 4000IU of D3 daily preferrably in a gelcap and not dry tablet/cap type, and get retested again.
However, if you use Quest, the results may not be accurate as they were revealed in Feb 09 to have faulty procedures. Not sure if that has been corrected yet. The doctor should test for D3 when you have that redone.

You can read more here:
http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/d3andos.html

Good luck.

Both D3 and methylB12 are available by several companies at www.herb.com very reasonably in price. MethylB12 is not commonly available locally, but you might find it. D3 is becoming more common locally. But a liquigelcap form for best absorption.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/at...6&d=1239209154

Here ys go MrsD. Just copy and paste after you open a thumbnail for a full size.

Oh, Thanks Curious.... you are so good on computers!

So I need to know now, if you, BH are female?

If so the low iron is expectable if you are premenopausal.
Your MCV is not really high yet, so the lower B12 reading is
not affecting your red cells yet. But that does not mean you are not getting some neuro effects.

Also I see the TSH is low. Are you hypothyroid on medication?
If so, that is to be expected. But if you are NOT on medication,
I'd wonder about that low number.

I am not an expert in blood tests, but I see the folate is high, which sometimes happens when B12 is low.
White cells are a little high, but not alarmingly so.
Sodium and chloride are a little high, but the doctor would have more experience with those. May not a serious major factor.

I would like to know how old you are? Do you have high blood pressure? Do you get regular check ups?

In general the information I gave you on the B12 and D3 still holds.
It would help if you shared more details on why you had these tests, and also what exactly is bothering you.

Hi MrsD,

Thank you for your reply. I am a 28yr old female. I have regular check ups and have never had high blood pressure. I believe the last 2 blood pressure readings I had were 120/75 and 111/65.

When I went to my new PCP she ordered the blood work because I was taking Topamax and needed my co2 level checked. I was getting horrible tingling in my feet, hands, nose, lips. Apparently, this is because of the Topamax and the effect it has on co2 levels. I was taking Topamax (or dopamax as I like to call it) for migraines. It works very well, but the side effects are horrible...forgetfulness, numbness, all around dopey feeling. I only get the tingling when I take the topamax. I've stopped taking it and all side effects have gone away.

I also went in because I have been very tired lately. All I want to do is sleep. I don't consider myself to be extremely out of shape, but lately going up a flight of stairs makes the muscles in my legs burn and then I'm exhausted for the next minute or so :eek:?!? I've also had terrible pain in my knees and back. My knees are the worst when I'm sitting still. I have to bend them every 20 min. or so. They are great when I'm moving...except when squatting & trying to get back up and going DOWN stairs. I'm wondering if the joint pain is from lack of vit d, because I don't really have the pain in the summer when I'm out in the sun more. My PCP suggested that I go to a sports medicine doctor for my knees, but I haven't made it that far yet.

At the time, I also had a strep throat...maybe that could be why the white blood cell count is up a little?

Ok, I know I am babbling. Sorry for making this so long....but seriously, thank you for your insight and help. I greatly appreciate it. Sorry if I gave you too much info!

Oh, forgot to mention...I am not on any type of thyroid medicine.

I'd get that TSH repeated. Really low like that may be pointing to elevated thyroid functions.

Hypothyroid people are put on hormone and kept at the 1-2 range, (rarely below 1) but your reading is pretty low for someone not taking supplemental hormone.

The acidosis from the Topamax should go away when you discontinue it.

Give the B12 and D time to work, and if the pain continues, come back and we can discuss supplements for that.