4 ms·

What is the recommended procedure to be tested for vitamin/mineral/whatever (vitamin D = steroid?) deficiencies... is it best to head to a random doctor to get

by j_s 11y ago

What is the recommended procedure to be tested for vitamin/mineral/whatever (vitamin D = steroid?) deficiencies... is it best to head to a random doctor to get blood drawn? It seems like a good idea to get levels checked regularly - like an annual physical! If there's reliable, low-cost way of getting everything or at least everything important checked I would love to hear about it.

klodolph 11y ago
That's part of my yearly(ish) physical. They always tell me I have a vitamin D deficiency, so I take supplements for a few months, forget about it, and I'm deficient again by the next physical.
- FreeFull 11y ago
  The most efficient way of getting vitamin D would be from sunshine.
  - exhilaration 11y ago
    Not in winter if you live in northern latitudes: "If you live north of Atlanta (ahem, Boston), it’s impossible to produce vitamin D from the sun in the winter, because the sun ray’s never get high enough in the sky for the ultraviolet B rays (UVB) to penetrate the atmosphere. This can be a problem for most of us that aren’t lucky enough to have winter homes near the Equator." source: http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2013/01/11/vitamin-d-sun-winter/ http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2013/01/11/vitamin...
    - FreeFull 11y ago
      This is true. Having a lamp that produces UVB radiation could help (with appropriate use and eye protection)
  - logfromblammo 11y ago
    That depends on your latitude, altitude, and the season. The type of UV that most effectively produces vitamin D (UVB @ 296 nm) cannot penetrate the amount of atmosphere between you and the sun if it is too low in the sky. And natural synthesis reaches an equilibrium after about 15 minutes of exposure. So for many, the most efficient way is swallowing a 10000 IU capsule 1 to 7 times per week.
    - ccarter84 11y ago
      FWIW I've been doing in the 8-10k range for a bit after reading some other stuff online since my vit. d levels were pretty low, but doctor suggested I tack it back to around 4,000 IU / day max. Still helping, and less risks of (relatively rare), but random side effects.
      - klodolph 11y ago
        The fat-soluble vitamins are the ones to watch out for: hypervitaminosis A, D, E. Vitamin D can be frustrating because there's a long delay between when you take supplements and when your levels rise.

by j_s 11y ago

klodolph 11y ago

That's part of my yearly(ish) physical. They always tell me I have a vitamin D deficiency, so I take supplements for a few months, forget about it, and I'm deficient again by the next physical.

FreeFull 11y ago
The most efficient way of getting vitamin D would be from sunshine.
- exhilaration 11y ago
  Not in winter if you live in northern latitudes: "If you live north of Atlanta (ahem, Boston), it’s impossible to produce vitamin D from the sun in the winter, because the sun ray’s never get high enough in the sky for the ultraviolet B rays (UVB) to penetrate the atmosphere. This can be a problem for most of us that aren’t lucky enough to have winter homes near the Equator." source: http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2013/01/11/vitamin-d-sun-winter/ http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2013/01/11/vitamin...
  - FreeFull 11y ago
    This is true. Having a lamp that produces UVB radiation could help (with appropriate use and eye protection)
- logfromblammo 11y ago
  That depends on your latitude, altitude, and the season. The type of UV that most effectively produces vitamin D (UVB @ 296 nm) cannot penetrate the amount of atmosphere between you and the sun if it is too low in the sky. And natural synthesis reaches an equilibrium after about 15 minutes of exposure. So for many, the most efficient way is swallowing a 10000 IU capsule 1 to 7 times per week.
  - ccarter84 11y ago
    FWIW I've been doing in the 8-10k range for a bit after reading some other stuff online since my vit. d levels were pretty low, but doctor suggested I tack it back to around 4,000 IU / day max. Still helping, and less risks of (relatively rare), but random side effects.
    - klodolph 11y ago
      The fat-soluble vitamins are the ones to watch out for: hypervitaminosis A, D, E. Vitamin D can be frustrating because there's a long delay between when you take supplements and when your levels rise.