Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

And does it really have to be after showering? How important is consistancy?

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

i have it in the front of the thread, somewhere :shifty :poke go lookie
it does vary for people, and greatly. if you want maximum benefit, which in your part of the country that's what i'd shoot for, expose at least whole arms and face, and *just* before they turn pink. not red. not hot pink. :lol just that very pale sun-kissed, not sun-burnt sort of pink. i can't see it on dh, and ds never turn anything but golden, but dd and I do show it.

i'm told that an average biracial kid with med. brown complexion has about a 25 SPF. it seems my ds has more than that, and my dd has about that. just gauging by how my skin reacts when it has sunscreen on it.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

does evening sun work ok, or does it have to be a particular time of day?

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

sorry, i'm confused :O

It depends on where you live, and what you mean by evening.
When I lived in AR, afternoon sun felt like a broiler :lol And you could still burn beet-red in the PM.
In IL the PM sun is soooooo mild, I cannot imagine it being awfully effective. Just like from Oct to Apr here, the sun won't make you any vit D :sigh Which is why we really should supplement, or make a big effort to get it with foods.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

PA. my mom used to tell us something about between 10 & 4 (i think it was for sunscreen maybe?)....so evening being after that. :giggle

50,000IU once a week for 90 days, then a lower dose (don't remember what ATM) after that - unfortunately the script is the d2, so i'll start it since its better than nothing, and then go find what i can at the local discount pharmacy store....

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

Did anyone see the news tonight about the new sunscreen regulations? They were emphasizing how melanoma is on the rise and we aren't wearing enough sunscreen. So now they have to make sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB. And they were going on and on about how you should reapply a shot glass full of it every 2 hours blah blah blah. And yet vit D defficiency is a huge problem in this country. I just dont know what to think. Melanoma is scary scary. But I've seen what vit D difficency can do to my body so I choose sun and take the risk. But I wonder about DD. I'm torn on whether or not to use sunscreen on her. I want her to get plenty of vit D. But I want to protect her as well ya know. :sigh

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

We do both. I use sunscreen when necessary and don't when not. Moderation.....

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

Keep reading :)
we are also having more cancers of any kind b/c of higher oxidative stress and lowered intake of antioxidants, people eating SAD and all
and the aforementioned sunscreens were packed with vit A, which is now known to cause cancer when reacting with sunlight.
that very vit. D deficiency predisposes people to higher risk of cancer, IMO

etc. etc. etc.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

well ladies, all my supplementing, eating of pastured eggs, and staying in the sun sans sunscreen and I'm still at 32 as of June 1st! :( :hissyfit

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:hugheart At least you're in the acceptable range.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

the "acceptable" range with 30 at the bottom is only for some of more old-school western docs. not even my family practice likes my numbers. breastfeeding mom with a number of health conditions, i ought to have a much higher number. so, i went from 23 to 32. either that or the less-than-helpful office staff looked at the old result and reversed the numbers :lol I'm making a follow-up anyway, it'll be good to chat with the doc.

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I know it's not a great number, but the increase was better than nothign, I thought. :kiss

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

My Vitamin D was at 22. Dr prescribed 5000 units per day. What is the best way to take it? Do I take it all at once or spread it out? I'm still breastfeeding? Is that okay? Anything else I need to know?

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

:hug re-read the OP, brastfeeding mothers requiring supplementation should take 10,000 a day. with a level of 22 (and you are shooting for a robust 60 or so to protect you and your nurseling from infections) you should for sure take 10,000 and re-test in 3 months or so.
i am not aware of a need to spread it out. oil-based drops seem to be most well-absorbed.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

Thanks Irene. I read the thread through about a week ago when the doctor said he thought this was the problem and due to my levels being so low, I forgot almost everything I read. I can't wait to not have foggy brain anymore! I did get oil based capsules and started taking them. I just had a sudden panic this morning...have I said I can't wait to be better? I'm scheduled for a retest in Nov.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

:giggle, boy can i relate, i hate foggy brain!!!

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

I just got my lab results back and my vit d was 23. I've been prescribed 50000units 3 times a week for 12 weeks and then go back in for a re-test. Does that sound right? DS2 is 18 months and still nursing...will that be okay for him? Do I need to worry about having him tested as well?

Doctor also wants me to do a bone density scan in a month. Have any of you had that done?

Also, my cholesterol was a bit high. The hdl and triglycerides were "normal" but the ldl was 121. Is that in any way related?

I'm so grateful and thankful that you ladies are so smart! I don't know what I'd do without you!

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

Why does he want to do a bone density scan? Just because of the Vit D? Mine was lower than that and no one brought up any extra testing.

I did take the 50000IU perscription for a while, but the perscription is D2 so I switched to a oil based D3 supplement after 3 mo.

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Yes, I think it's just because of the low Vit D. :shrug3

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

I'd ask more questions.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

for me it would be a no on bone density, unless you are over 60, i'm assuming you are not.

if you are comfortable with d2 after reading through the thread, by all means, go ahead :)

*i* would get a much better quality d3 and dose myself starting at 10,000 per day, and re-test in a month. 10,000 is what every mother should get every day while pg and bf.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

What's the concern with the bone density test? I'm 30, definitely not over 60 ;) ...although it feels like it some days!

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first of all, why is he doing it? any time there is a test, i need to know a) why b) then what?

if you have a very rare condition that causes loss of bone mass at your age, you should know about it. :shrug3

it is a radiation exposure, and an expense, if not to you, then to the insurance company.

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I have a call in to him so we'll see what he says...

Oh, and just in case anyone was curious, here is how the following professionals responded to my question "is it safe to breastfeed while taking the prescribed d2:"

pharmacist: well, I don't think there's any chance of harm to the baby...it's fine there's nothing it could do to him but check with your doctor

nurse at my son's pediatrician: I'm not sure but it says only moderately safe so you should pump and discard your milk and actually stop breastfeeding altogether because it's probably not safe

my son's pediatrician: it's fine just monitor baby for any changes

nurse at my doctor's office: I'm not sure, ask the pharmacist

my doctor: I'm still waiting to hear back from him

Really people!?!?!?! Is it this difficult to figure this out!?!?!?!

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

geniuses :sh5

the levels of your milk's vit D are going to correspond to your blood's levels. but not exactly. with exception of alcohol, and a few other things, there is less of the substance in the milk, than in the blood.

women deficient in vit D make milk deficient in vit D.

unless you go toxic, your milk will have its levels of vit D restored to where they are supposed to be.

none of the professionals you are talking to have EVER been educated sufficiently in human lactation :no

Hale's may have some info, but i don't own one.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

I did look it up in Hale's and he seems to think it will be okay.

Ummm...yeah...they definitely had no clue.

I did talk with my doctor's nurse whose first response was to talk to my pediatrician. She did actually know what she was talking about (telling me about Hale's book, etc even thought she didn't have one to look at) and, interestingly enough, used to be a nurse for my ped...talk about small world!

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

ok people, for most of us it's dark and cold (or unseasonably warm, as it is right here :doh :ph ) but it's time to start taking your vit. D regularly :poke :sun :hug

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This thread rocks:rockon
thanks for sharing all your knowledge. I have a dd that definietly is affected by our wonderful wet washington state winters and I've found vit d3 has helped her alot. I've enjoyed learning all the other areas that it is helpful.

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I've almost completed my degree in Nutrition & Food Science and vitamin D is one of the most exciting and promising research areas right now (as least as far as vitamins and minerals are concerned). Thank you for starting this tread and educating others about all the benefits of vitamin D! This thread reminds me to get the drops out before I nurse J today :)

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Ok I am wondering about vit d for nursing baby. I have an enfamil brand, but it is so loaded with junk I feel guilty giving it to him. Is there a better brand out there. How important is it really and what did women do about it before vitamins were around.

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Subbing so I can read this whole thread later:)

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

I believe that human milk, just like all the mammalian milks, contains everything that a human baby needs :)

A mother deficient in vit D will not make milk with adequate amounts of it :shrug3

but as with all things, do your own research, make sure you are comfortable with whatever the decision you make :)

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

So, my son's vit D blood levels came back at 38.2. I never even had this issue on my radar. His regular multi vitamin, which includes DHA, only has 400 iu of vit D. I just purchased additional D3 vitamins. Each vitamin contains 1,000IU. Should I be giving him 2 of these vitamins as well as his multi or is one okay?

---------- Post added at 09:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 PM ----------

Also, I think I want to get my levels checked now; something my doc has never tested for in the past. I just had my annual checkup....wondering if I can just have her write a script for lab work so I can test it. If she asks why I am concerned about it, what should I say? I don't have any real reason aside from curiosity for checking my levels.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

i'd say that in light of recent publicized research you feel it's important that you have optimal levels of vit D. :)

how old is your son?

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

I ended up getting my levels checked and was told I was within the "normal" range at 31.2 It's so strange to me that my doc thinks that is normal, but my son's pediatrician emphasized getting his levels up to the 50.0 mark. Neither one of them are "alternative" minded either. I decided to give him two 1,000iu vitamins daily and I'm doing the same as well. He's almost 8.


I want to get all my vitamin levels checked now.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

I think I read earlier in another thread that minimum is 30...so 31 really isn't that normal... imo...it is on the low end.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

the truth is, we are still figuring out what's normal, and what's optimal :yes many docs, and entire labs are still behind.

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

Can someone tell me why Natrol's 10,000iu supplement says
"Natrol General Health Vitamin D3 10,000 I.U. 60 tablets (a)

Directions: Take 1 tablet daily, 5 times a week, with a meal. Store in a cool, dry place.
SuggestedUses: As a dietary supplement.
SafetyInfo: Keep out of reach of children. Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you have or suspect a medical condition or are taking prescription drugs. Do not use if you have or suspect liver, kidney, bone, blood vessel, heart or lung disease or a calcium disorder. <bold>Not for use by children or woment who are pregnant or lactating.</bold>

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All supplements have to have that on it...

Re: Vitamin D FAQ :)
 

My DHs vitaminD was 14.7. The dr rx'd 50k iu/week. It was vitamin d2. The pharmacist said D3 is OTC. We contacted the dr and asked for d3 dosage. Is that right?