<p>TheAnalyst, dmd77,
What symptoms do you have that point to possible D defficiency? If 90% of people are defficient, how they determined what is normal? What is “usual winter blahs”?<br>
I do not go to the doctors, so I am behind on all those routine testings that is being done these days. Guys, you are getting me worried.</p>
<p>I don’t have any symptoms. It’s a blood test and I can’t even remember what the parameters/measurement looks like since my last test was in June 2008. But when you get bloodwork done, the print out shows your level for each item tested and the range of normal. I’m not a big doctor person either but go once a year to get a check-up. Therefore, I will have it checked again this June. My cholesterol had been a little high a couple of years ago and I fixed it with diet changes (add ground flaxseed to my oatmeal, etc.). I don’t like taking pills, including vitamins or calcium supplements, and I go to a doctor that understands this. My philsophy is that a proper diet should address any possible vitamin or mineral deficiencies and I am fanatic about diet and exercise. When I had a high blood pressure problem caused by stress, I quit my job rather than go on medicine. Blood pressure is now excellent and I am working out of the house in a low stress environment (no more travel and office noise). My doctor knows my aversion to medicine so when she insisted I needed to address this vitamin D deficiency, I trusted her and reluctantly agreed to take 1,000 mg/day supplement. She tried to give me a prescription and when I asked why I couldn’t just buy it over the counter, she agreed that was fine too. I plan to stop taking the supplement either way this June. If the level hasn’t increased, then the supplement isn’t working. If it has then I will consider myself stabilized and try another year with no supplement, just getting lots of sun (which I have always gotten) and D through real food (which I have always done as well). If after another year, the D level falls again I will rethink next steps. I am very opposed, however, to the idea of needing a daily pill for the rest of my life. </p>
<p>I believe this is an under studied area. If you haven’t been to a doctor recently, it can’t hurt to get blood work to test your cholesterol and vitamin D levels. Then you will either have your mind put at ease or you can think about what might be the right solution for you.</p>
<p>Because I golf 3+ times/week, underuse sunscreen and take a D vitamin I think I should have good levels in my system. I take the vitamin because my doctor gave me an article about arthritis which recommended taking condroitin/gulcosomine together with a D vitamin. It has worked great for me and my achy hip joint.</p>
<p>Thanks, theAnalyst, keep us posted. I had blood work done at my work and they pay us $100 for volunteering for the test. I got 100 points out of 100 points possible. I also check my blood pressure / sugar / height on a regular basis at home myslef. I discovered that first 2 parameters very closely correlated with weight fluctuations. 2-3 pounds make unbelievable difference. Other than that i am sooo busy and totally overhelmed with the amount of dental work contiusly being done in my mouth, that I cannot even thing about going to any other doctors. Maybe some day.</p>
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<p>Many people have said this many times over. I agree that, if one has poor habits, one should fix those habits before taking a drug so you can continue the poor habits. I mean, if you’re overweight and need blood pressure medication, try losing weight and see if that eliminates the need for the medication.</p>
<p>In many cases, however, the pill is necessary. I don’t understand the objections. And I really don’t understand all the objections to taking antidepressants. Obviously, if there’s a hormonal problem or something like that, you’ll try to get that corrected, and perhaps the mood will change along with that correction. But so what if you take an antidepressant? Why are soooooooo many people opposed? Can someone please explain it to me?</p>
<p>I heard informally from medical professionals that antidepressants are extremely addictive. I was prescibed them once, since I do not sleep well (I personally do not have any problem sleeping 3- 5 hours every day for the past 20 years, but docs insist on 8 for some reason unknown to me). After I read on a box that med. is antidepressants, I just pitched it. I would never take them, why? I’d rather be addicted to cofein and chocolate, which I am.</p>