Harma, And Anyone Else Interested - My Vitamin D Test Result

[tex]

I finally received my vitamin D results, from the test I ordered on the 7th of this month.

The test was done by Specialty Laboratories, Inc., of Valencia, California.

It shows:

Vit D 25 total 46 - Reference (20-100 ng/mL)

Vit D 25 D2 less than 4 ng/mL

Vit D 25 D3 46 ng/mL

The test included this note:

Please note new reference ranges effective 06/07/10
25-OHD3 indicates both endogenous production and supplementation. 25-OHD2 is an indicator of exogenous sources such as diet or supplementation. Therapy is based on measurement of total 25-OHD, with levels less than 20 ng/mL indicative of vitamin D deficiency, while levels between 20 ng/mL and 30 ng/mL suggest insufficiency. Optimal levels are >/=30 ng/mL.

Okay - here's the problem: I expected my result to be about twice this amount. So what went wrong? Considering the comments in their note, does this imply that my diet and the supplementation that I am taking are doing me absolutely no good, (since my D2 level is below 4 ng/mL)? It appears, (by their description), that all of my vitamin D is coming from endogenous production, (IOW, from the sun).

Last year, I tested my vitamin D level about the 3rd week in July, (IOW, about 2 weeks later). The result was 96.8, (more than twice my level this year). The only differences that I am aware of, is that I continued to take 4,500 IU of vitamin D right up to the test time, last year, and this year, I cut the dose down to 2,500 IU sometime in April, AND, my colon was removed in February. However, I don't see why the reduction in the supplemental dose would make that much difference. Nor do I see any reason why the removal of my colon would make any difference - theoretically, supplemental and dietary vitamin D is absorbed in the small intestine. Is it not? Obviously, something is going on, though. This test shows that I am getting zero benefit from my supplemental vitamin D.

I found one other difference - I switched brands from "Spring Valley", to "Finest Natural". Do you suppose "Finest Natural" vitamins could be duds?

Any ideas?

Tex

[JLH]

Go back to the other brand........

http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/fine ... ea-reviews

[Gloria]

Tex,

I use Freeda Vitamins D3 3,000 unit tablets in the winter and two of their 1,000 unit tablets in the summer. My Freeda calcium tablets provide the rest, spread over the day.

It's difficult to know whether the actual tablet is ineffective for you or if the removal of your colon has affected your absorption. The only way you'll be able to tell is to go back to your old brand or use a brand that has been successful for others. I'm pretty sure that Polly uses Freeda Vitamins for her vitamin D. They're one of the few brands without soy, though I know you can tolerate it.

Gloria

[Gabes-Apg]

Tex

i am not familiar with the brands, but i would say based on the results and their interp, that you are not getting the quantity per dose they are claiming.

have you googled the brand name to see if there are any forums talking about it?

[harma]

Vit d issues are quite complicated when I read this, getting a lot of sun and taking high quantities of vit D are not a guarantee for a high levels in the blood. I would say go back to your old brand.

I start taking larger amounts of vit D since yesterday. I've bought a vit D3 in arachide oil.. High dose vitamine D supplements can't be bought here, so it is a lot of dropping to reach the appropriate dose. I am going to start with a 2000 IE extra from what I am already taking Also if the weather is okay (for Dutch standards till now we have a sunny and quite warm summer) I take my breakfast outside with no suncream, to get some sunlight vitamin D.

This week I will try to get my vitamin D levels tested.

Again, everybody thank you so much for all your input and this great information. I keep on thinking, where would I be without this board. Thank you!!

[tex]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts, and I've been thinking about this too. To review the basic facts, here is the Mayo Clinics description of vitamin D:

The term "vitamin D" refers to several different forms of this vitamin. Two forms are important in humans: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is synthesized by plants. Vitamin D3 is synthesized by humans in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays from sunlight. Foods may be fortified with vitamin D2 or D3.

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitami ... t-vitamind

Here's what I think happened, and I intend to follow this up by checking with the lab, to see if this is what actually happened. I'm guessing that they make this assmption: All dietary and supplemental vitamin D is in the form of D2. IOW, they probably attributed the benefits of the D3 supplement that I'm taking, to endogenous production, rather than to a supplemental source. I suspect this is probably true because of the fact that when vitamin D is prescribed, it is typically in the form of D2, (D3 is most commonly available without a prescription). There are exceptions, of course, but the following reference discusses all the confusion that seems to exist in the medical world, about this distinction. IOW, according to that article, a lot of doctors think they're prescribing D3, when in fact, they're prescribing D2. There appears to be a lot more confusion than is commonly believed.

Consider this quote, from the following blog:

The only conclusion I can draw from all this is that the medical industry does not know or care about the difference in D2 and D3 – it is all same to them. And as long as the pharmacies only give out D2 it does not matter what the doctor prescribe anyway.

http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/2009/ ... hings.html

This quote, from that blog, certainly rings true:

Once again, it's the peculiar false bias of physicians and pharmacists: If it's prescription, it must be good; if it comes from a health food store, it must be bogus.

To add further confusion, consider the following two research abstracts. One "proving" that D2 is completely equal to D3 in maintaining hydroxy-D blood levels, while the other "proves" that D3 is 3 times as effective as D2:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18089691

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/conten ... 89/11/5387

Is it any wonder that the medical community is confused about the issue? Note that the first research article, ("proving" that they are equally effective), was published in 2008, whereas the second one was published in 2004. Do any of us still have any faith in research results?

Even so, my 25(OH)D level is about half of what I thought it should be, so I reckon I'll be changing brands of vitamin D3.

Tex

[ant]

In case it is useful.....

I take 3000 vitamin D3 per day from "Complementary Prescriptions" (code No. CP3091).

Best, Ant

[tex]

Ant,

This doesn't reflect on the effectiveness of the vitamins they sell, of course, but I couldn't help but notice that their recommendations, (on their web site), are way low:

Healthy blood levels are 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) to 80 nmol/L (30ng/mL)

20 to 30 ng/mL is rated by most labs these days, to be an insufficient level, (not a healthy level). Evidently they still follow the "traditional medical" recommendations.

Tex

[Rosie]

Tex, I took a look at both articles, and decided that they were like comparing apples and oranges. The methodology was quite different in both articles, and the differing results may have to do with the details of the metabolism of short-term high doses versus longer term low doses. There was a lot of arm-waving going on trying to rationalize the differences. Of course the bottom line is that if you have two conflicting articles, one claiming D2 and D3 are equally effective, and another saying that D3 is better than D2, well then I can cover my bets by taking D3.

Did you notice this interesting quote from the 2008 article:

However, the 25(OH)D levels did not rise above 30 ng/ml, which is now considered to be the vitamin D-sufficient range, suggesting that more than 1000 IU vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 is necessary to maintain serum 25(OH)D levels above 30 ng/ml when the sun provides no vitamin D3.

Rosie

[Polly]

WOW - that IS a drastic drop, isn't it? I'm surprised too. Like the others I would suspect your current vitamins. Of course, since 1994, the FDA had no authority to routinely monitor any actual vitamins, minerals, herbs, or supplements. And I understand that there is often a huge difference between what the manufcaturer claims is the potency and what it actually is. Also, I am wondering if much of your vitamin D was used up by your body during the stress of your very serious illness/hospital stay?

Love,

Polly

[tex]

Rosie,

Thanks for checking out the details. Is it just my imagination, or do most of these research groups already have their "conclusions" determined before they ever begin the project, so they simply select the subjects and/or methods, necessary to ensure that they get the results that they want?

Yes, I did notice the comment in that quote. Slowly but surely, the "climate" is changing, regarding the need for higher vitamin D supplementation.


Polly,

I suppose it's certainly conceivable that I might have used up a lot of vitamin D during my hospitalization/recovery. And, of course, I didn't take any vitamin D supplements, (and got no sun exposure, ), while I was in the hospital. Still, I resumed taking 4,500 IU of vitamin D, as soon as I got back home, (and 500 IU of that was from a multivitamin, Centrum Silver).

I'm definitely going to switch brands, though, for the main source of D3, and have my level checked again, a few months from now. I can't decide whether I should increase my dose, though. It's hard to believe that I would need more than 2,500 IU during the summer, with all the sun we get down here.

Love,
Tex

[Tanya Lynn]

Tex,

Oh my goodness, I didn't know that you have had your colon removed. Why?
How are you doing now? No wonder you are so knowledgable!!

When I had my Vit. D levels checked back in Feb. of this year my total was
at 30. My Dr. said to take 5,000 iu's daily. I take Puritan's Pride Super High-
Potency Vitamin D, 2000iu. I just checked the bottle and under the other
ingredients it has: soybean oil, gelatin, vegetable glycerin, corn oil.

I'm sure you've heard on Consumer Labs, it tests and rates vitamins,
supplements, etc and this particular one passed all tests. But it does
have soybean oil, so I'm sure alot of people can't take it.

The only thing I am so bad about is being consitent about taking any
vitamins everyday.

Again thanks for your advice you have given me and I'm so glad to
have found a community of people who understand....

I feel like I'm being guided in the right direction finally.

Tanya

[mbeezie]

Here's another thought Tex. Who ran the test . . . Quest or LabCorp? A while back there was some controversy about the discrepancy in values form both labs. A dietitian I know had her blood twice in one week and had the 2 labs run it and got wildly different results. If I remember correctly even the Vit D council talked about this. Why not get a second test done froma different lab to see if there is a difference.

Mary Beth

[tex]

Tanya,

I woke up early one morning with massive bleeding, and the doctors were unable to pinpoint the source of the bleed, so when the bleeding resumed the second time, (later in the day, while I was still in an ICU room), and they still couldn't locate the problem, they decided that it would be necessary to remove my colon, to save my life, so that's why the surgery was necessary.

I have a history of diverticulitis, and we thought that it might just be an irritated blood vessel in one of those "pockets", but since they couldn't pinpoint it with a colonoscope, and I have a family history of similar bleeding events, (both my father and one of his brothers bled to death in a hospital from a similar event, years ago), a total colectomy seemed to be the most prudent course of action.

I'm doing fine now, (with an ileostomy), and the good news is - I'll never need another colonoscopy.

I checked the list of vitamin D brands that Consumer Labs tested, and unfortunately they didn't test the one I was using.

You're most welcome, and we're mighty glad you found us.

Tex

[tex]

Mary Beth,

It was Specialty Laboratories, Inc., of Valencia, California. I'm thinking that Polly thought their tests were OK, when they did the test last year.

Yes, I believe that the Vitamin D Council is currently sponsoring a comparison test trial right now, to gather data on the apparent problems with the tests at Quest.

Tex