Vitamin D for infertility

[laurac1988]

I agree about sun exposure, it probably has SOME effect. I know my levels were higher in the summer than the winter, however some people will be deficient no matter how much sun they get.
I'm very grateful to my GP for taking my levels because I felt like hell. Since taking a high dose vit d every day I feel less tired, have more energy and my mood is much, much better. Whether it does anything directly for my fertility is yet to be seen, however the good effects it is having on my well being will affect my fertility. More energy and being happier means more exercise and less stress - all good for fertility!

 

[messica]

Okay, sorry for the rant, but i hate bad science...

While there are some studies that didn't find a link between vit d levels and sun exposure, there's still much evidence that sun exposure does affect vit d. Over interpreting a negative finding is something like saying that because you don't find your car keys, they don't exist. Personally, my levels ebb and wane with the seasons (low in winter, high in summer), similar to findings from a study that repeated tests monthly on the same people over several years. I stopped using sunscreen on a daily basis because it blocks absorption, which is often a confound in studies not finding a relationship (I still use it when I'm outside for long periods). And pregnancy rates in northern climates are highest 9 months after the summer and correlate with vitamin d levels.

Although there is variability between people for baseline levels of vitamin d, it's highly unlikely that sun exposure has no effect. Some people do not absorb vitamin d from supplements as well as others, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't take supplements.

I'm not sure where you're getting that I said sun exposure has NO effect on EVERYONE. To repeat, what I said was "Diet and exposure don't have anything to do with levels in most people."

And that's fact.

When poster said her doctor said she was fine because she spent time outside and ate right, that's lazy medical advice at best. My point was that diet and exposure are no kind of guarantee for anyone. Claiming otherwise is a sweeping generalization of near everyone who lives in higher latitudes. When they've found 80%-90% of some populations of people deficient - does that mean everyone eats like crap and never goes outside? It's not bad science but rather fact that sun exposure doesn't necessarily dictate levels, but rather how well an individuals body is able to utilize that exposure - that matters.


We know that exposure can help almost everyone on some level, but whether that alone is enough to keep most people at a healthy level has obviously been long since disproven.



Beyond that I have no idea where you're coming from with the study talk of negative findings or claim that this is bad science. I'd venture to say the over interpreting is coming from your end based on a mere skim of what I actually said

 

[messica]

I agree about sun exposure, it probably has SOME effect. I know my levels were higher in the summer than the winter, however some people will be deficient no matter how much sun they get.
I'm very grateful to my GP for taking my levels because I felt like hell. Since taking a high dose vit d every day I feel less tired, have more energy and my mood is much, much better. Whether it does anything directly for my fertility is yet to be seen, however the good effects it is having on my well being will affect my fertility. More energy and being happier means more exercise and less stress - all good for fertility!

Exactly!!!!

 

[laurac1988]

My levels still weren't high "enough" in the summer. And is lent a crap,lad of time outside

 

[messica]

I am not sure where I can go to get the test as that was my GP. I would even pay for it if they would do it in my GP surgery.

If you're worried about it, and have symptoms of low D, can you *tell* them you want the test?

I'm not very familiar with how the NHS works. If I want a test I walk in and ask for it. Thankfully my doc was diligent enough to pick up on it herself and I didn't have to know enough to ask for one - but if I had it certainly would have been within my rights to get a simple blood draw! Docs can sure deny unnecessary testing/procedures, but know they'll get their butts handed to them if a patient comes in with symptoms and they deny them the care they need to sort out what's causing them. Here docs work for us, not the government, and I do think that makes a huge difference.

Is a GP the only doc you have access to? Do you have private access to care? I think most fertility specialists would be more than happy to run that kind of blood work, even if they are somewhat restricted?

 

[Ummi2boyz]

Great info and so true! I have been reading studies that showed the link between vitD Nd fertility.
I had very low levels back in 2012 and was put on very high dose too. 50000 IU/week for 12 weeks and then 25000 for another 12 weeks. And then I stopped when some pain in my back came back. My gp told me that I should not stop it and be on it all my life (unless I go and live in a sunny country and get sun exposure everyday). She also said that the NHS advice is for everyone in the uk to get some supplementation of at least 1000IU/day. So 400IU in the pregnancy vit is not enough.

Also, unlike in the US, in the UK we don't get the tests we ask for, but the ones that GPs feel necessary. It all depends on individual GPs and also in the area where you live.

 

[babyvaughan]

We had a date to get our vita D level's check his is at a 26 which is still so low but better than 10. I haven't had mine yet but i'm going to call to find out!

 

[xanzaba]

Sorry Messica, I wasn't saying you said that, but some scientists, wanting to make a splash have! I am a researcher and it drives me nuts. I just wanted to clarify in case people had read some of the papers out there.

 

[laurac1988]

I'm in the UK, and my results showed the following targets. So really we should be aiming for above 80, although she said above 50 is "enough"

https://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q568/lauracostello1988/62a7f1570bcbe0a8691dc6682ffba1e1_zps933256cb.jpg

 

[babyvaughan]

He had his level rechecked and is at a 26 better than 10 but still a lot to go to get to 50! I guess it really effects there sperm mobility mine was first a 15, then 36, she wants it at a 50 I just had it checked waiting to find out!

 

[Amythyst]

The level ranges and testing sensitivity will vary by the lab doing the test. So a normal 30 at one lab may not be the same as a normal 50 in another.

I've had chronic Vitamin D deficiency most of my life. Even with taking 50,000 units a week my body still has a hard time absorbing Vitamin D. Because of this, my endocrinologist tested me for Celiac disease and the test was positive.

For those that are struggling to keep up their vitamin D (and possibly other vitamins), I recommend getting tested for Celiac. Celiac greatly inhibits your bodies from absorbing vitamins and may play a role in low vitamin levels that seem to be a pain to get higher.

My lowest number was a 7 many years ago and I got it up as high as 33 at one point and then it fell back down to an 11. I have been on 50,000 units a week on and off for years but the number never seems to stay high. I have been on 50,000 units this round for 3 months and will be getting it retested shortly.

 

[TTCBayBay1]

Hi all! What Vitamin D supplements did your doctor recommend? D2 or D3? THANKS!!

 

[laurac1988]

Was d3 for me

 

[babyvaughan]

D3

 

[CareBear]

D3

 

[boobear2872]

D3

I think we should be taking both?

 

[laurac1988]

I was told d3 by my GP, but timers may prescribe different

 

[Irish_eyes]

I have decided to do a home test for Vitamin D since my GP won't do it for me.

 

[xanzaba]

Irish eyes- I haven't heard of home tests. Where do you get them?

Good luck- hope you get some answers

 

[Irish_eyes]

Xanzaba, I found this website. https://www.vitamindtest.org.uk/index.html

I probably don't have Vitamin D deficiency but I just want to rule it out. After nearly 6 years trying I'd do anything.