Vitamin D Deficiency

[FabFiona]

Hi all,

I got a note from my OB letting me know that a result of my blood test was a vitamin D deficiency.

The result was fairly low at 28, when the desired range in the pregnancy is 50 to 160. She has recommended that I take Ostelin. She also recommends that the baby should take Pentavite once a day until 12 months.

I have no idea why I am low in Vitamin D... My appetite has been non-existant since the start of the pregnancy so I'm not sure if it's a food thing. I know that a main source of Vitamin D is the sun, but in Melbourne in winter it's a bit hard!

Is this something that has just started, or could I have had it for a while and not been aware?

Has anyone else had this and how did you deal with it?

Cheers,
Fiona

[AliBaby]

I had this as well at my first bloos test. I took a supplement and tried to get in the sun more. It was June so freezing but I did make a massive effort. By my next blood tests, my levels were fine. DD idnt on any supplements for it and the pead said she doesnt need to be either.

There are foods that you can eat to help with vitamin D as well but there are not alot of them as you main source is the sun.

They are fish and egg yolks.

Hope that helps.

[catherinemoses]

I had low vit D when I got my bt results at the start of this pg. I took the ostelin but not religiously . My GP never mentioned bub needing anything (IMO that seems OTT!!) I didn't go for the follow up bt which she wanted me to do at 12-14 weeks either
I try to get out in the sun a bit more. Usually if I am hanging the washing out in the morning I will sit out there a little longer and soak up some rays!
With my previous pg there was never any mention of tests for vit D (I believe it is a newer test that they are doing to all pg women now).
My most recent bts showed no probs.
Just take the ostelin for now. I'm sure everything will be fine

[christy]

I've had chronic Vit D deficiency since having children. I have to take a massive supplement to help. The thing with Vit D is that without it, you will see an increase in anxiety and stress... thats not something you need in pregnancy!! So I would definately take the supplement now and get checked periodically. I have a repeat test every 4 weeks.

[milka]

I agree with the other ladies. I too am vitamin D deficient (because I have Graves disease and a thyroid condition). Unfortunately the sun shine does not seem to improve my levels!! So I now take 3 vitamin D tablets a day and am finally in the normal range. My doctor said that you cannot overdose on vitamin D meaning that taking three is fine for the baby and she did not mention the baby needing treatment once it is born.

Hope this helps, I was taking Osteo or whatever they are called but have switched to blackmores as they are a little cheaper.

[lovelycate]

Hi Fiona

I was also diagnosed with Vit D deficiency - I was just advised to take the supplement and to try to get outside a bit more! Apparently it is something that they have only recently started testing for - with the increase in the awareness about skin cancer, plus people from cultures who cover most of their skin, they are seeing more people actually not getting enough sun...

I hadn't expected that result either - I mean, I'm not a beach baby by any stretch, but I've got a lot more colour than Nicole Kidman! I imagine it's a combination of things, including diet. I'm an office worker, so it's not like I was getting much opportunity to get out in the sun either.

If you haven't checked this out already, go to Welcome to Osteoporosis Australia http://www.osteoporosis.org.au/files...d_consumer.pdf - particularly page 14 which will tell you about recommended amounts of sun exposure depending on time of year and where you live. The rest of the doc also has information about foods you can eat to help. The important thing is that it is sun exposure without sun screen - and it can be just your arms and face. It also doesn't have to be hot sun or clear days (I live in Melbourne too!) - as you know we are still exposed to UV on cloudy days.

From my limited understanding, your levels are quite low (from recollection I think mine were 41). How far through your pregnancy are you? I would imagine that if you can get your levels up and maintain them that you may not need to supplement your baby too.

Best of luck!

[melbel]

Christy can I ask how much supplement you take. I just got blood tests back today and apparently my Vitamin d is so low they couldn't even get a reading...it didn't register on the test!! YIKES!!

But it could explain a lot of my health issues over the past few years......depression, anxiety, muscle aches, chronic fatigue, the list goes on. What amazes me is I have seen a heap os specialists for these various issues and they have done all these fangled scans and tests etc but NOT ONE of them have ever done a vitamin D test........
I am so cross with them for not checking sooner, especially since I am reading they estimate 75% of the Australian population are deficient in vitamin d due the success of slip slop slap.....