@Lyn, I'm never quite sure of the difference between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
I was diagnosed with osteoporosis after I'd had a very bad fall and crushed a vertebrae so now have regular bone scans every few years and take prescribed medication for it, including the Vit D3 and Alendronate.
Apparently the 'crushed' bone was indicative, otherwise my spine might have just cracked across.
I have osteoporosis genes so am scanned every 2 years. So far I am on the cusp. I took "Fixical" daily for many years until my rheumotologist said it was deemed useless (there was another I took with it). Now I am on a once a month ampule of Zyma D taken in a glass of water. I live in a sunny clime but dermatologist says "NO sun". I love salmon and living on the Med there is plenty of mackerel, sardines and anchovies. From October to March I take a daily capsule of cod liver oil. We can only do our best - given the information at hand. Of course having a vegetable garden helps.
This is purely a personal opinion, rather than irrefutable medical fact, but I think the no sun / skin cancer debate has changed a bit, and that small doses of sun exposure are deemed very beneficial, not only for Vit. D production, but because it increases Serotonin [ the happy hormone ] production.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
It seems to be an area where the medical thinking has changed quite drastically in the last few years and strong vit D levels are now viewed as key for health, in the UK.
My physician son in law thinks vit D should be prescribed on the NHS as a step to good health. He says that few of us get our recommended dosage because of the lack of sunlight in the UK.
Vitabiotics D3 are £5.95 for 96, often on 3 for 2. At that price I think people should take responsibility for their own health and buy them. Less than £2 a month will hardly break the bank. It will cost a lot more than that for the time involved in ordering, prescribing, dispensing, reordering and pricing the prescription by the NHS
This is purely a personal opinion, rather than irrefutable medical fact, but I think the no sun / skin cancer debate has changed a bit, and that small doses of sun exposure are deemed very beneficial, not only for Vit. D production, but because it increases Serotonin [ the happy hormone ] production.
That's kind of my take on it. In the summer I try to have 10 or 15 minutes outside before I put on my sunscreen (with short or no sleeves). Maybe up to half an hour if it's before about 10 o-clock in the morning. I hate getting sunburned and it doesn't take long.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
As far as I know I've never had my vitamin D levels tested so I'm quite surprised that so many people on here have. It's not a test that's ever been offered to me as a routine check. Is it something that gets tested when investigating particular symptoms or scan results like low bone density? While not wanting to pry about other people's medical histories, I'm curious about what sort of circumstances would prompt a test of vitamin D levels.
Historically I have v low blood calcium and vit D is tested with that. I also have had ME for 20 years, so have had dozens of blood tests in that period to measure what might be going on. I have hypothyroidism - and re hormone regulation, Vit D plays into all that too. With 5000mg taken daily I can't say I feel very different, but my blood profile (including calcium) is in a good place for the first time in over ten years. I'm still extremely tired a lot of the time, but I'm sure good vit D levels will support continued recovery.
Thanks for that! I have routine bloods done annually for my rheumatoid arthritis checkup but I don't think they check calcium or thyroid. I had a bone density scan a few years ago and it was better than average for my age, so I'll stick with my 1000 IU/25 micrograms unless anything changes. Your 5000 milligrams sounds like an enormous dose - it would be many thousands of mine every day - so I guess it must be prescription-only and not appropriate for most people. Good luck with your continuing improvement
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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I was diagnosed with osteoporosis after I'd had a very bad fall and crushed a vertebrae so now have regular bone scans every few years and take prescribed medication for it, including the Vit D3 and Alendronate.
Apparently the 'crushed' bone was indicative, otherwise my spine might have just cracked across.
From October to March I take a daily capsule of cod liver oil. We can only do our best - given the information at hand. Of course having a vegetable garden helps.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks for the reminder.
I bought mine in Lidl last year.
That's kind of my take on it. In the summer I try to have 10 or 15 minutes outside before I put on my sunscreen (with short or no sleeves). Maybe up to half an hour if it's before about 10 o-clock in the morning. I hate getting sunburned and it doesn't take long.
Thanks for that! I have routine bloods done annually for my rheumatoid arthritis checkup but I don't think they check calcium or thyroid. I had a bone density scan a few years ago and it was better than average for my age, so I'll stick with my 1000 IU/25 micrograms unless anything changes. Your 5000 milligrams sounds like an enormous dose - it would be many thousands of mine every day - so I guess it must be prescription-only and not appropriate for most people. Good luck with your continuing improvement