Vit D Level dropped 40 pts w/hip replacement

Bones, joints and muscles
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Some history first. I've been a sun lover all my life up until early 50's and then the sun started to bother me so I "came in" from the sun I had bathed in all my life prior.

Then in 2006, my sister who is dealing with MS mentioned the Vit D connection with MS...so she makes sure her daughter in NJ is taking adequate Vit D. They have not big sun lovers like me but did some sun over their lives.

So in 2006, I had my D levels checked, never thought I'd be deficient as I live in So. Cal. with sun shining 360 days per day....The beach and sun were my gods.....

I was stunned to find my level was 16, the range in US is 20-100....the doc I was seeing who did the test, did his Vit D levels and he was a stunning 13....so he was shocked too...

So I got on 4,000 Vit D3 per day and in 6 months my level came up to 34. The mild depression I was having lifted, so I knew too it was the Vit D Deficiency.

I talked about the Vit D deficiency to everyone I could as we just didn't know even though alternative MD's were writing about it, many did not pay attention.

So I kept taking my D3, having labs done once a year or so and got my level up to 80, I was feeling so good.

Then in Oct 2010, I had the hip replacement and since I got info via email from The Vitamin D Council, read everything I could...there was mention that D levels COULD drop with surgery...don't recall if it was ALL surgery but that was engrained in my mind, levels could drop and at that time of surgery my level was 80.

So a few months after surgery I had my labs done and of course, Vit D, and sure enough the level dropped 40 pts!!!! I was shocked but prepared that this could happen...but 40 pts.

So, anyone living North of Atlanta, GA and those especially having surgery, be on TOP of the Vit D. You can find tons of info online, books at the Vit D deficiency.....

Vit D deficiency is an epidemic especially for those who do not do sun or live North of Atlanta.

I think of all the poor souls living in senior homes just existing, I'm sure they are all Vit D deficient.....

So my history on this issue.....and the deficiency is more I'm sure due to so many sitting at computers, etc. Take care and be Aware!!!

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PS: I had two bouts of depressionn in my life, one last 10 yrs from 1991 to 2002, and I suspected all that time it was sluggish thyroid and the MD I was seeing did not help me ever...kept telling me your numbers are good......I've learned so much in all the years since. I could write my own book on this issue....WE are NOT numbers, we are symptoms....and thyroid controls SO MUCH....

I ended up on Armour thyroid in 2002 and that 10 yr long depression lifted in 4 days.....what a waste of years and anti depressant drugs....

Then a lowness set in in 2006 and that is when the Vit D issue reared it's ugly head.....

So, these are my depression stories.

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thank you for great advice i have taken this on broad to see if this is what causes me loww day.. thank you

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joy

this is a wonderful and uplifting post ...thank you!

I have some info on vit D that i'd like to share as just had a set of results myself.my level is 56 which is ok. here are the ranges which the results explained:

Total vitamin D     <  30 nmol/L      =   insufficiency

                           30 - 50 nmol/L     = inadequate in some

                            >   50 nmol/L       = sufficient

                            >  250 nmol/L      = potential for toxicity

so whilst a sufficient dose is greater than 50 nmol/L its ok to dose up as far as 240 nmol/L without risk. This might be advisable pre-op.

Also vit D3 is best taken with vit K2 which firther helps to produce vit D.

Sunlight is the best source otherwise a good quality supplement. Thanks again joy x   

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Good to know!  I am outside every day in the pool now.  Only because I'm off of work and trying to fix my  iliopsoas tendonosis.   Before that tho I was inside all day. Thanks for the info, 85 l stay on it!

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hi joy,

I have a family history of cancer with brothers mum grandparents, I went for my annual check up ( I live in France ) and they checked my vit D levels and put me on Vit d, 500mg 4000UI since i take two every day, But if people are thinking of taking them do get the right stuff, I cany say I have felt any different, they also give me a really high booster vile once a month, so must be something in vit D that fights cancer too.

 x

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Hi

Its a bit harder if you live in the UK....especially in the North of Englandwink

Eileen

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Well, I thought I read or heard there is a big enough movement going on in the UK on the Vit D deficiency issues...sure HOPE so....with all that free health care, how about getting one's Vit D in optimal range?

Did D3 is the most absorbable and now research tells us to take K2 with that D3.

Read some info on Vit D deficiency and health issues.

Many in the U.S. have come up so deficient that their docs put them on a short term 50,000 IU's of Vit D for a while to get them out of the tank....then a daily dose to keep levels up. Levels drop if not on top of them.

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marey, thanks for posting these levels....They are different in the US in that docs get "nervous" when one goes close to 100...I see an integrative MD and she gets nervous, so TOO MANY just don't know.

Bottom line, SO MANY docs don't know how to treat this ongoing, unknown by MANY horrible deficiency.

I read about your health care system and in the U.S. nothing like that but more and more and more people are doing prevention on their own. so much to read about remedies that have been around LONG TIME....now it's the big drug push.

I once knew a gal who is a massage therapist and from the UK, for one thing, and maybe it's changed in the UK, no tv ads for drugs on the tv....here every other commercial on tv is for pushing drugs. It's awful...

All money driven....we have to learn to keep ourselves as healthy as we can and not with all the drugs.... Drugs can save lives, but not keep folks healthy...

It's a full time job and glad I have the time in my retirement to do what I'm learning.....feel sad often that I did this replacement..... j

As I've said MOST elect these and then deal with the damage...

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For those who have missed the Vit D issue.....important to keep Vit D levels in good range for total health including joints......sun or no sun, one can keep their levels up with supplemental D3.

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A friend on another health board who resides in Canada, sent me the Vit D levels for Canada.

<25 Deficient

25 - 74 Insufficient

75 - 199 Sufficient

>200 Toxic

So it's different for all 3 countries, and my "guess" is the further away from the equator the more deficient one can be. I live in So. Cal where the sun is always out and I was so deficient in 2006 when I was checked.....I'm not out basking in the sun like I was in my younger years.

Deficiency could be sure causing all the early joint replacements....

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More comments here....I'm on other health groups and the major discussion recently has been the Vit D deficiency epidemic and these people are not replacement patients...

Many in chronic pain and depression and the beat goes on.

They are shocked when they get the Vit D levels tested and find how deficient they are.....many are doing the 50,000 IU's per week to get their levels to a manageable level.

So, keep on top of this one folks....

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Hi Joy

I'm from the UK.......my GP never suggested a Vit D level check even though I had one THR 4 years ago and a lot of OA in back, ankle and nect and also scoliosis.....I picked up about Vit D on another site....I asked her for a check

She replied why?....I would just like to know I said

OK {grudgingly} she did it and it cam back very low...cant remember the numbers but she put me on meds immediately

I dont think its the sort of thing that is done routinely in the UK.

Love

Eileen

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Eileen, I think that is pathetic....I've read enough info on the deficiency of Vit D in the UK.

It's bad enough in the U.S. and Canada and you guys are even further north....a terrible shame....

Vit D testing is fairly pricey here in the U.S. and maybe your govt insurance doesn't want to pay for this test.....again very sad.

Your doc puts you on meds, she didn't get you going on Vit D?

Didn't you say you are dealing with a fracture, bones are weak it sounds like.

And I know the UK has some fluoride going in their waters, and Fluoride build up in the body is known to cause fractures...

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Hi Joy

Yes I'm dealing with a "fracture of the greater trochantor bone" 4 weeks post op.....2nd THR.

Doing some ordinary NHS exercises to strengthen that muscle. Hands on a table and abducting my leg slightly....done it loads of times before because this is the 2nd THR but this time there was a crack and my leg gfave way and that was their diagnosis....in the hospital that day a consultant, a physioand a nurse asked if I had osteoporosis...I said no but had been dioagnosed a couple of years ago with osteopinia so it was possible that by now it could be osteoporosis....that was all...they asked and did nothing except tell me it would heal itself but would take a long time.

When I got home the next day I took things into my own hands and rang the GP.....she said I was due a DEXA scan at the end of this year so got me an earlier one.....yes...osteoporosis.!!!!!!

I'm on a chalky tablet called Natecal, Calcium and Vit D3 is what the label says. I was then put on Ad Cal {google it} which didnt agree so now she has prescribed another one for me but wants me to have a full dental check before taking it Risedronate this one is called.

I feel so sorry for people that dont know about these things and are scared to ask. I'm 68 and I know a lot of my age and any older ones treat doctors like little gods which they are not....I will argue with them. Tell them I'm not taking something because its contraindicated, get copied into every consultants letter so I can see what they are saying and give the GP's a bit of a kick if I've got the copy letter and they havent got in touch with me  LOL

So I dont know.!!!!!!

Love

Eileen

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Hi Joy

Ignore the last post I sent or part of it....I said she put me on Ad Cal...dont know where I got that from????? Its Alendronic Acid....sorry

Been a hectic day and I'm just back from a meeting....thats my excuse biggrin

Eileen

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great stuff eileen...you go girl !!!!!!!!!

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It almost sounds like patient neglect regarding the Vit D deficiency in the UK....are these docs hearing anything on this.

My gut tells me MANY are Vit D deficient and maybe why ending up with replacements so early in their lives.

Are all these docs controlled by govt? And paid by govt? I asked this once before here and didn't hear back.

Can a person buy Vit D3 in health food stores, pharmacies, etc.....it's almost a given that most need vit D3 and maybe a lot more than they are given.

I really get on a rant with this issue as I just don't trust any medical world.....sad but true.....glad you are pro active as you can be. These docs are not gods.....

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speaking of doc gods....some of the nurses in the hospital called my surgeon the Little Prince....he has a good reputation and has done good work, but also patients are dealing with complications from the Anterior replacement....

I went back to his office 3 times since surgery and each and every time he was trying to send me to other docs, his other buddies....

I can't briing myself to going back and just deal with what I have.....and getting a lot of help from others on these type boards....

I don't have an infection but a LOT of nerve damage and a messy bunch of osteoarthritis.

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physicians are licenced...actions can be brought against them for negligence but rarely are. they are overpaid and complacent for sure/

yes i bought my own vit d....the odd case is obtained on prescription.