[StuckinBoston]

Hello to everyone

I have been posting on the traumatic brain injury board as I had suffered a brain injury 3 years ago. Recently I had some blood work done and it came back that I was low in my vitamin d (20) so they said I should take 1000 UI to get this number back up.

Some of my other numbers seem low and just trying to figure this all out. Doctor said if my numbers don't fall out of the range I am OK. Before I go any further just to let you know some of my symptoms are fatigue, weight loss, muscle and bone pain, the list goes on.

They did a basic blood panel but my questions are for my CQ10 here are my number and ranges.

CQ10 Total - 0.612 (0.500 - 1.5)
CQ10 Reduc - 0.576 (0.48 - 1.45)
CQ10 Oxid - 0.036
CQ10 Reducd 0.941 (0.940 - 0.980)
Q10 Cholesterol - 159 (125-220)
Q10 Chol Index - 0.385 (0.3 - 0.8)

I mentioned that they seemed on the low end and he said they were fine. Also my ALT (liver) number came in at 8 (10-45) and AST came in at 27 (10-45). A friend of mine who is a Vet said that the low ALT can be associated with low B6. He said that the ALT and AST should be parallel to each other. The doctor said he didn't think that was true.

No B6 or B12 levels were taken.....

So right now I am just taking the Vit D but think I should supplement with CQ10 but now sure right amount.

Any help would be appreciated.

[mrsD]

I am on vacation with a very slow computer. So I cannot respond to you fully as I would like.

But 1000 IU of vit D -- you don't say what type you were told to take, but it should be D3....is not adequate.

There is a new medical Vit D thread here on page one.... I suggest you view it and take it to your doctor.... he/she needs some updating on this treatment.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread92116.html

[StuckinBoston]

MrsD - Hope you are enjoying your vacation

I was just told to go buy something over the counter. So what I have read that is probably D3. I just sat here and read hours of posts regarding Vitamin D and can not believe that I was only recommended to take 1000 UI.

When you get some time I would appreciate your thoughts on the CQ10 numbers and any of words of wisdom you have.

Thanks again for the reply and continue enjoying your vacation.

[StuckinBoston]

Recently I had to go back in and some more blood work done and with this blood work they did the vitamin d levels once more. Well it has gone down (17) even being on the 1000 supplement. Told doctor that I was thinking of going up to 5000 and he said he wasn't against it but didn't feel it would make any difference if I was on the 1000 or 5000. He also said that he doesn't start to worry about vitamin d until calcium levels are high or low. My calcium level was high normal.

He also doesn't think that my CQ10 levels are anything to be concerned about. He is very frustrating.....

[billie]

I have no knowledge in the areas you are seeking, but I understand your frustration at your doc. I am surprised that they even ran vitamin levels. MD's are not typically taught nutrition in med school, or at least not until recently. A Nutritionist might be your best bet. You might be able to get a list of such specialists in a book on the subject in your local health food store. This is what I had to do when systemic candida albicans was still a mystery to MD's. I was self-diagnosed, laughed at and sent to psychiatrists. But I saw 2 of the nutritionists and they both said essentially the same thing, which was, "there is no way you could not have this." Then they told me what to do about it. Although I am essentially ignorant of your situation, I hope this helps just a little, and I am sorry that you are another victim of the medical system. It might help to know that docs cannot help it [well, I suppose they could try]. They are educated in surgery and in drugs, drugs, drugs. lol. billie

[mrsD]

Dear StuckinBoston....

Copy the video link I gave you and give it to your doctor. You may save many lives. Think about THAT.

Doctors in Australia are also using high dose Vit D3..
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2514231.htm

Since D3 is OTC...you can choose to do what you think is necessary. I think US doctors will resist high doses for quite a while until the evidence comes back to them from patients.
Since drug companies are not promoting this, doctors remain clueless. It is all up to you.

I really can't comment on the CoQ-10... this nutrient is made in our bodies by our livers. The drugs that are used to lower cholesterol called statins, block the synthesis of this compound.
But research is lacking about the meaning of normal levels, or what may reduce them, other than mitochondrial genetic damage. The treatment for mito and for PD utilize very high doses. But reference to blood levels and effectiveness, is not easy to find on the net yet.

I would add that choose a Vit D supplement that is a liquid gel cap rather than a dry tablet made of powder. I believe that the gelcaps are better absorbed.