Vitamin D deficiency

[Ladylove]

Hello! My second medical Q tonight ... I'm 28 weeks and my OB rang me today to say my vitamin D levels are low... She mentioned the number 44 but I'm not sure what that means? How bad is it? She said I need to take supplements. I eat heaps of dairy but don't spend a lot of time in the sun as I'm fair skinned and have had skin cancers removed..

Anyway because I'm on my iPhone I can't search properly but if anyone can suggest articles or links to other threads let me know

[LionsandBears]

That's very low. Get some Ostelin Vit D and take the maximum dose allowed.

Ironically, low vit d increases the risk of skin cancer. It also reduces calcium absorption.

[Little Chicken]

If the vitamin d supplement doesn't have calcium with it, get a calcium supplement as well.

[nothing2lose]

I have vitamin d deficiency. My level is about the same as yours (except I am not pg!) I was taking 2000mg of ostelin a day thinking that be enough but I went to the naturopath last week (she specializes in Women's health) and she said you need to take 1000mg for each 10 kilos of bodyweight in order for levels to rise. I have upped my daily dosage considerably!!!

[~~Snoogans~~]

Heya LL

I was told the same thing and went out and bought some Ostelin Vit D , as Lions just said

Was freaked out when they told me! After living in Perth for so long and actually HAVING sun shine! we didn't even know about Vit D deficiencies! Bl00dy Melbourne and its total lack of sunshine!

Have to give bubba Z a dose of the stuff every day for her first year as well!

Hope all is going well with you and yr bump! xx

[Olive]

I also read re entry that vitamin d deficiency and GD can go hand in hand!

[AnyDream]

I have vitamin d deficiency. My level is about the same as yours (except I am not pg!) I was taking 2000mg of ostelin a day thinking that be enough but I went to the naturopath last week (she specializes in Women's health) and she said you need to take 1000mg for each 10 kilos of bodyweight in order for levels to rise. I have upped my daily dosage considerably!!!

If you're taking such high doses you need to get your levels checked frequently because an oversupply of vit d is toxic and can damage your liver.

FWIW most of the breast cancer ladies I know (who all have levels MUCH lower than yours) are typically taking 2000-5000iu of the ostelin formulation with ongoing testing by their docs. I took 5000iu daily for three months before reverting to a dose of 1000-2000iu per day, which is a safer level over the longer term.

[nothing2lose]

You're totally right MD! Sorry, I should have mentioned, it is only a short term measure to get my levels up.
And it is iu, not mg!

I have to retest.

[surprised]

Hi hun,

I also had low Vit D at the 28 week bloods recently. Mine were about half of yours. I remember the hospital being happy with anything over 50, so doesn't sound like yours are terrible.

I was sent to the hospital endocrinologist, who told me to take 3x tables daily for a week, then 2x, then 1x per day long-term. She said to get my GP to check up on the levels after birth and into the future. Tablets are Ostelin - can't remember what they are in terms of iu, but it seems a standard size (I actually got a cheaper brand).

They are also testing the cord blood to make sure bub wasn't affected (although it is highly unlikely).

HTH xo

[sloane]

i have vit D deficiency as well - mine was 27 i also have fair skin & wear sunscreen & don't spend a lot of time in the sun. my doctor recommended a supplement & also gave me a specific dose. i had to take 9 tablets a day for the first week & then back down to the normal 1 per day so it may be worth asking your doctor if you need to do anything in particular to get your levels up or whether the 1 per day is sufficient (only take more than 1 if your doctor tells you to of course!).

[AnyDream]

I'm actually a bit surprised by the extent of testing etc now compared to a couple of years ago. I had my youngest DD 4 years ago, and absolutely no screening of myself or baby. When I was finally tested, she was 18 months old and my levels were 19(! Hello breast cancer). I'm loathe to think how low my dd's levels were and the fact that it was completely disregarded at the time.

[sloane]

i was surprised as well MD - i wasn't tested 2.5 years ago for DS but i had a friend who had it as well whilst PG recently so i was ready for it! i'd never even heard of it before!!

[*Danni*]

That's so good they were on the ball and screened it for you during your pregnancy!

I had 2 OBs (as I moved areas) and not one of them screened me for Vitamin D AT ALL!! grrrr.

I only found that out as a few months ago I went to get my blood tests done as I have been lethargic etc and my vitamin D Levels came back at 24!!!!! So I rang to get my results from pregnancy to see if I was deficient then and nobody knew my levels. My bub is only a year old so god knows how low they were when I was pregnant.

2000mcg of vitamin D is what I was recommended. I went to my local health food store and bought their recommended brand.


Sent from my iPhone more than likely while I should be doing something else!

[Ladylove]

Thanks everyone - this is all very helpful. I am actually really surprised re my vitamin D because I take Elevit daily plus a high dose fish oil (I've read fatty fish is high in vitamin D though that wasn't why I was taking it- I take it for development of baby's brain and also for my own skin). My OB said take D supplement once a day but I didn't mention the Elevit etc. I'll quiz her when I see her on Monday.

Ps I've read about the high blood sugar and low vitamin D link too though it seems nobody knows what the link means, just that it's there and the two often go together.

[Ladylove]

Ps Danni was your lethargy due to low D? I've been super tired for most of the second tri but at the time put it down to my job.

[*Danni*]

Ps Danni was your lethargy due to low D? I've been super tired for most of the second tri but at the time put it down to my job.

Well I definitely think that had a lot to do with it yes. Pregnancy and breastfeeding take A LOT from you & your body though! My iron was also borderline low but tbh i have noticed a little improvement but not much as I have really only just begun the vitamins as apparently it can take a long time to come back from these low levels.


Sent from my iPhone more than likely while I should be doing something else!

[Ladylove]

That's interesting re the timing. The only issues my OB highlighted from my tests were the blood sugar and vitamin D. I'm seeing her today though so I might check the results of the other tests too just out of curiosity.