Vitamin D deficiency?

[pboy]

I am starting to think I may have Vitamin D deficiency. I have noticed that in the evenings I start to feel a bit depressed and seem to crave bright light. I hate the light in my living room, it's far too dull, and I cant stand just having the lamp on anymore. I never used to feel this way.
Ive heard that lack of sunlight can can cause vitamin D deficiency and that can cause depression, so could this be connected? Its connected to Seasonal Affective Disorder I believe.

I am going to see if I can get some sort of test from my doctor, but in the meantime can anyone provide some input please?
I know that in w/d the depression could be caused by many factors but I thought it might be linked since I seem to crave bright light.

I have some calcium/vitamin D combo tablets with 5ug Vit D, I wonder if it'd be worth taking these in the meantime?

[scotia21]

How much time are you spending outside during the day? This can make a big difference.

[pboy]

It varies. I usually try get out of the house daily for a walk although today I didn't go out at all. I've never been a fan of going out in the sun though, I didn't do that much during summer.

[jule1]

I take a vitamin D supplement daily. There is also something called lightbox therapy but not sure if it works. My friend's psychiatrist recommended it for her.

[Light]

It's worth checking out. I believe normal levels of vitamin D are 30-50 and my result was 8, which put me in the severely deficient range. After starting supplements my fatigue improved some. When summer came around and I had lots of sun exposure I noticed my mood was phenomenal--the best it's been in years. I really think it may have been from increasing my D. Note that it takes a lot of oral vitamin D to get those levels up and the sun is really the best way to it D. Good luck.

[jule1]

yeah I would get the Vit D level checked with a blood test.

[Songbird]

Sounds like you need to get that sunlight on your retinas. If sun exposure is a problem, you could try a lightbox. I haven't tried it myself, but I believe they have been used successfully for SAD.

[TryingtoGetWell]

Is the vitamin D in that supplement you have D2 or D3? D3 is supposed to be more potent and better utilized by the body, though there is some disagreement about that.

Some people feel sunlight (or use of lightbox) is best. 10-15 minutes in the sun, if that's possible, should be enough. Whether you get D from sunlight or from oral supplements, it takes time for any deficiency to be remedied.

If you don't usually get sunlight and don't think you'll get even a small amount (there are concerns about too much, so a small amount about 5 days a week, depending on your skin pigment, should be enough), I would suggest having your doctor prescribe a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test, which should show levels of both D2 and D3 as well as the total level, and having it done before you start going out in the sun or whatever so it will show your levels as they normally are, not what they are when you're doing a routine you may not follow through on.

Apparently the test is accurate. (I was wary because neurotransmitter level and related tests were a waste of money and my doctor now agrees the results are useless!) It will not only show true deficiencies like Mike had, but suboptimal levels (which I had) that are technically within normal levels, but which my doctor felt was far from ideal and may have been contributing to my fatigue and weakness. I am now taking vitamin D supplementation - a brand my doctor recommended and which I know to have an excellent reputation - and think that over time I'm generally feeling some improvement re fatigue and weakness (I'm unable to get even brief amounts of sun due to dermatological condition, much as I prefer the "natural source" normally).

The 5 iu of D in your calcium supplement is what some calcium supplements contain because D is essential for the body to utilize calcium. It's equivalent to 200 IU of vitamin D. If you're deficient or suboptimal in vitamin D you should probably take a higher quantity for a while, if your doctor agrees. (Due to my hyperreactivity, I couldn't take the dose my doctor prescribed, but after stopping and then restarting at a very low dose and gradually increasing my dose in increments, I'm doing fine taking 1/2 of a 5000 IU cap/day, i.e., 2500 IU D3 [cholecalciferol] a day - I take it in the mornings. May have taken a little longer to get results, but glad I was able to tolerate that way since I really seemed to need it.)

The preparation I take (Designs for Health brand - Vitamin D Supreme) also contains Vitamin K [K1 and K2 - important because K2 is supposed to much more bioavailable in the body!], which is essential for therapeutic doses of D supplementation. At the lower dose I'm taking (1/2 cap) I don't think it's actually necessary, but it's probably a good thing for me and prevents any possible problems, especially if the re-test I'm having soon shows I need to try increasing my dose any. Any dosage higher than what I'm taking definitely calls for K supplementation as well

I would hold off on taking that supplement if you think you'll be getting the blood test because having the supplement in your system could affect test results accuracy.

Medicare covered my blood test, since my diagnoses justified the need for the test. If you have insurance and your doctor uses relevant diagnosis code(s) supporting the need for the test, it well might be covered.

[pboy]

It doesnt say if its D2 or D3. A lightbox sounds good but theyre a bit too expensive for me...maybe if my lotto numbers come up.

Thankyou for your response Trying, I will see my doctor soon and ask for a test. I am unsure of how it works here in the UK...will have to see if the NHS covers it.