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Vita D deficiency

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/18/2010 8:44 AM (GMT -5)
I accidently posted this on the Chronic Pain site....clicked on the wrong site...yikes! Hope that is not a jinx haha.  I was wondering why my post wasn't showing up...So here is my post:

I have had extreme fatigue for over a month, yet my CD symptoms are barely present...

Went to my regular Primary care Physician.  She ordered labwork.  I requested that she check my Vita D level.  She reluctantly did.  A couple of days later, she called reporting anemia and low vita D levels.  It seems D level was 28.  Ordered me to take prescription Vita D 50,000 IU once a week to recheck in 3 months.  I inquired whether or not this would be contributing to the fatigue..and over all achiness... She said fatigue is ususally d/t depression... Seriously?  The other thing is I have requested that my GI doc check my vita D level.  Her wouldn't order it, said I wasn't malnurioused.... I checked for old threads on this.  I know someone adviced me before to get this checked...

Would appreciate any info and experiences any of you have had regarding the vita D def.  Thanks

Posted 10/18/2010 9:24 AM (GMT -5)
I first found out about Vitamin D3 helping Chronic Pain. I suffer with Fibromyalgia also, and have found it to be quite helpful with it. Then I started hearing how it helps the immune system, strengthens your bones, and helps your moods. It took me about 3 weeks to notice the difference with my Fibro pain, and its been great. Really helped alot.

Here is a link about how it helps chronic pain:

http://pain-topics.org/clinical_concepts/vitamind.php
Posted 10/18/2010 9:28 AM (GMT -5)
I have too read alot about the benefits of Vita D and the problems associated with deficiencies. I just wonder of others have had issues with their docotors not evaluating this even after the pt requests it....
I do look forward to seeing how my body feels after I get my levels up.
Posted 10/18/2010 9:52 AM (GMT -5)
Yeah I had to kinda push to get them to test me. But once they did and saw that I was low, its been less of a fight. Good luck!
Posted 10/18/2010 10:57 AM (GMT -5)
My physical is done every year at my workplace, and we have some serious public health specialists where I work. They first started testing for vitamin D just 3 years ago, and I was told that at a level of 29, I was just a bit under the recommended minimum of 30. Then my OB/Gyn told me that I should just take a vitamin D supplement to ensure the health of my bones (since I don't take calcium). Then my PCP told me that I absolutely had to take vitamin D supplements to get my levels up to 40. Then my rheumatologist told me he wanted it above 50! OY! I told them all I would take them, LOL, and I started taking 1000 iu, twice daily. That was about a year ago and now they've all shut up because I guess my levels are ok. whew.
Posted 10/18/2010 6:44 PM (GMT -5)
My vitamin D levels were extremely low last year when my Crohn's was active and I also went on prescription meds for it. Now I take daily D supplements.

The anemia could explain the fatigue, but it seems like your doctor should be looking for an explanation for the anemia.
Posted 10/18/2010 10:58 PM (GMT -5)
Vitamin D deficiency is very common in Crohn's. Apparently the disease causes conversion of stored vitamin D to active circulating vitamin D, so you have no reserves of the vitamin. This can result in a high vitamin D blood level temporarily, so you don't want to be taking massive doses of vitamin D without testing. For the same reason, you need to get tested at intervals. Your PCP may not be up on this, but your GI should be. As for the fatigue, that could be due to several causes. Stress from being ill comes to mind, and then there's electrolyte imbalance (due to D) and there's the possibility that you are running a low level immune reaction to gut bacteria or a hidden fistula (there may be a slight fever). Blaming fatigue on depression is a cop-out - sheer laziness. It is a possibility, but given the range of other possibilities, it reeks of mental laziness.

PS - Just checked and vitamin D deficiency can cause fatigue as well.

Post Edited (Keeper) : 10/18/2010 10:21:09 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/19/2010 12:31 AM (GMT -5)
I've been taking a minimum of 2400 IU's of vitamin D for a couple of years. When I had it checked for the first time a few months ago, it was 50. The brand I take is called Healthy Origins.
Posted 10/19/2010 10:46 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the responses..

I guess my frustration is that my GI doc isn't up on this...He never wanted to test my level.  Someone on here in the past suggested to me to get this tested but he never would.  When I went in to the doctor it is because this fatigue is so bad plus swollen lymph nodes in my neck.  My crohns symptoms are not there. no D no blood...just fatigue and had a slight temp.  Started me on the Vita D, follow up in 1 mo regarding the nodes and she says if not resolved biopsy.

The thing the just really bugs me is my GI doc not being on top of this or willing to just check one more box on that lab slip...

 

Posted 10/19/2010 11:12 AM (GMT -5)

Check out this site.

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003569.htm

Only the 25 Hydroxymin test is considered accurate.

Posted 10/19/2010 12:12 PM (GMT -5)
I'm sorry your doctor has been so unhelpful about this! Seems like an easy enough test to do....

My PCP and GI doctor always check my vitamin D levels and write out RXs for mega-doses when needed. I also take 1000 I.U. of D (D3) everyday in addition to a multi-vitamin.

Also, have you had any issues with your B12 levels being low? I'm always so fatigued when my B12 is low and get a 1ML shot of B12 at least once a month. I always have so much more energy after that shot!

Good luck!!

(edited Vit D dosage info)

Post Edited (CDS1) : 10/19/2010 3:08:18 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/19/2010 4:11 PM (GMT -5)
One other thing occurs to me. It may be that your fatigue is due to the effects of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). This is a condition characterized by nutrient deficiencies, gas/flatulance, abdominal discomfort/pain, diarrhea or constipation (depending on the predominant bacteria present), weight loss and bloating. One author wrote: "SIBO commonly complicates Crohn’s disease, particularly those individuals with previous intestinal resections, strictures and entero-enteric fistulae, and can be effectively treated by antibiotics (26)." Antibiotics are not really that desirable because they can cause a range of complications including C diff infections (mimics Crohn's). There are reports of probiotics helping SIBO, and eliminating sugars and small polysaccherides (like high fructose corn syrup or a range of vegetable gums, soluble fiber and many more) should help to reduce SIBO by starving the bacteria. Taking a non-fermentable fiber supplement may also help (Pro Diem is the only one that I know of) by increasing the transit speed through the small intensine. Once upon a time, I was feeling tired and brain fogged just at the time I was due for a colonoscopy. As I went through the colonoscopy prep, I started feeling much better. That makes me think that it was a gut reaction to intestinal bacteria that made me so tired.
Posted 10/19/2010 9:39 PM (GMT -5)
You know Keeper, you've got me thinking. I have been eating some things I shouldn't for about 3 months. I was doing the SCD diet...I do feel better when I adhere to it. I made my soup yesterday....so I'm going to try sticking to that. It certainly makes me feels better.
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