why do doctors order more vitamin d tests than anything?

DidiRN · Mar 14, 2010

Just anecdotal -- I remember when I was having weird shakiness and fatigue, my doctor ordered a vitamin D test. I turned out to be deficient in vitamin D (something I never even considered) and when I started supplements, I was fine. Maybe that is one of the reasons?

Same here except I had muscle aching, fatigue...I thought I had fibromyalgia. I had several labs drawn, one being a Vitamin D level, which showed my Vitamin D level was very low. Took 50,000 IU once week for 2 months, I feel 100% better now.

mjjlRN · Mar 14, 2010

Our wound care Doc for the hospital always orderes Vit D levels on the pts he sees, so I asked him one day. He says that his personal experience has taught him that most if not all pts with chronic poorly healing wounds/ulcers are vit D deficient, and that if the Vit D is replaced (and does in pretty large amts), that it really improves wound healing in these pts.

PopeJane3rd · Mar 14, 2010

Plus the OP may be working in a lab where vitamin D research is being conducted.
I've seen levels being taken for a while on our renal patients, but there's been a jump in the last couple of years from docs of other units

No, they are not doing any research that I know of on vitamin D. I just see the test more than anything. If I had to guess on my own the most common tests perform, I would say some std. But it is vitamin d. I see it so much that I get tired of ordering it. I was curious about it all.

morte, LPN, LVN · Mar 14, 2010

Same here except I had muscle aching, fatigue...I thought I had fibromyalgia. I had several labs drawn, one being a Vitamin D level, which showed my Vitamin D level was very low. Took 50,000 IU once week for 2 months, I feel 100% better now.

this will be only a temp fix......please research....i believe the suggested dosing is 1000 U per 25# wt, daily....unless you are in the sun regularly or go to tanning booth....

mustlovepoodles, RN · Mar 14, 2010

Good question. My doctor did some routine labs last fall when I being evaled for possible diabetes and Vit D was one of them. My levels came back critically low. I've been on Vit D 50,000U weekly for months now and I'm still very low, less than 15. Before this I had no idea what Vit D even did, but now I know it is implicated in a lot of illnesses. I did turn out to have Type 2 diabetes and since starting a serious diet, Metformin, and Vit D I have more energy, my concentration is better and I'm happier. I have lost almost 50-lbs and I still have a ways to go, but I can kinda see the light at the end of the tunnel (and it's not an oncoming train!)

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Mar 14, 2010

I believe recent research has found that many people are Vit. D deficient, and it has been found to be a possible factor with fatigue, depression, etc. I know the doc I interned with over the summer started ordering it often if people came in c/o new-onset depression, fatigue, etc., along with the other routine labs indicated for those conditions.

morte, LPN, LVN · Mar 14, 2010

Good question. My doctor did some routine labs last fall when I being evaled for possible diabetes and Vit D was one of them. My levels came back critically low. I've been on Vit D 50,000U weekly for months now and I'm still very low, less than 15. Before this I had no idea what Vit D even did, but now I know it is implicated in a lot of illnesses. I did turn out to have Type 2 diabetes and since starting a serious diet, Metformin, and Vit D I have more energy, my concentration is better and I'm happier. I have lost almost 50-lbs and I still have a ways to go, but I can kinda see the light at the end of the tunnel (and it's not an oncoming train!)

again....if the D you are taking is those pretty little emerald green caps...you would be better off going to the health food store and buying D3 make sure it is gel cap or liquid....there is some thought that the obese need even more d/t the D being stored in the fat cells (i never researched that) but the figure of 1000 IU per 25# of wt i think is not based on the obese....so, if you wt 150#s that would be 6000 IU of D3...or nearly 8600 IU of D2 daily....and make sure that you are taking in enough fat

also, Metformin depletes Vit B12...

mustlovepoodles, RN · Mar 14, 2010

I believe recent research has found that many people are Vit. D deficient, and it has been found to be a possible factor with fatigue, depression, etc. I know the doc I interned with over the summer started ordering it often if people came in c/o new-onset depression, fatigue, etc., along with the other routine labs indicated for those conditions.

I totally agree with this. I have suffered with depression all my life, since I was 15. I've had at least 14 severe depressions and I had daily thoughts of suicide for 37 years. I spent 8weeks in a psych unit in 2009. Of course, I know that my situation is extreme,but I have to wonder how much of this was caused by extremely low Vit D levels. With the right treatment, meds, and support I have overcome the depression and I no longer have suicidal ideation, but I have to attribute some part of my recovery to treating my critically low Vit D level.

morte, LPN, LVN · Mar 14, 2010

the sun screen craze is one of those things, that obviously no one thought of the untoward sequelae of their actions....

mfrancisco · Mar 14, 2010

I also think it's because a lot of people are more educated now on vitamins, health, etc., so they are probably getting more requests to get tested. I made my husband ask his doctor b/c he works nights and sleeps during the day. He had critically low levels, and I am getting tested, too. I am always tired, so that may have something to do with it.

luvschoolnursing, LPN · Mar 14, 2010

My doctor said she is ordering it on everyone now. I live in the Pittsburgh area and we are lacking sunshine most of the year. Mine was low, so I am taking supplements. I did some reading about it and it looks like lots of people are lower that we realized.

RNtoJD · Mar 14, 2010

For as long as I can remember, I have been tired most of the time. I recently began a weight loss program, and as part of it had my Vit D level drawn. It came back very low, so the APRN started me on supplements. Lemme tell ya... within a couple of days, I noticed a difference. When I take the supplements, I have more energy, and my mood is good regardless of what happens during the day. Like a flipping on a light switch in a dark room. On the days that I forget, I notice a sagging energy level and mood.

Not to suggest that antidepressants are never necessary, but this makes me wonder how many people are being treated with antidepressants, when Vit D would do the trick.