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Are Tingling Sensation And Chronic Back Pain Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency?
Question: Hi, I was diagnosed with a vitamin d deficiency in early April. My level was 10.7. I started taking 50,000 IU of Vitamin D2. My level was checked in May and it was 24.5. It will be rechecked in 2 weeks. I have several questions: 1) How long will it take me to feel better? I have been having EXTREME muscle pain since the third week of Nov 2014. I have chronic low back pain that is preventing me from doing everyday tasks. It feels like I am carrying bricks on my back, legs, and arms. My muscles tire out very easily just from washing my hair, brushing my teeth, walking up steps, etc. I also have chronic hip pain. 2) ALL of the research I've done states I should be taking D3. I called my doctors office to ask why I was not put on D3 and she gave me an attitude and said "that's what you need." Everyone I know who takes Vitamin D is on D3. 3) What do you recommend my level needs to be? When i reach that level what is the maintenance dose I should take? I also have other symptoms I assume are related such as chronic fatigue, and pins and needs in my feet and hands. I am struggling with depression and wondering when I am going to feel better! 4) If my levels are normal when checked in 2 weeks, even if they are on the low end of normal, should I feel better? Or do I need the level higher for optimal health?
Brief Answer:
Check vitamin b12 also
Detailed Answer:
Good day
Noted your concern.Sorry to hear about them.
All your symptoms cannot be attributed to vitamin D deficiency alone. Especially the pins and needle sensation in legs and chronic back pain. You should ask your doctor about possible lumbar spine disease and to exclude vitamin b12 deficiency as well.
Vitamin D is a combination of D2 and D3. D2 is plant derived and D3 is animal derived. It doesn't matter what you take as long as your levels are improving. The optimum levels what we need is above 30 ng/dl.
Usually I give 50000 units weekly once for 8 to 12 weeks and then maintainable dose of 50000 units monthly once ( or 2000 units per day)for up to one year. However if you don't have sun exposure, ,you may need to take it for longer time.
Regards
Binu
Check vitamin b12 also
Detailed Answer:
Good day
Noted your concern.Sorry to hear about them.
All your symptoms cannot be attributed to vitamin D deficiency alone. Especially the pins and needle sensation in legs and chronic back pain. You should ask your doctor about possible lumbar spine disease and to exclude vitamin b12 deficiency as well.
Vitamin D is a combination of D2 and D3. D2 is plant derived and D3 is animal derived. It doesn't matter what you take as long as your levels are improving. The optimum levels what we need is above 30 ng/dl.
Usually I give 50000 units weekly once for 8 to 12 weeks and then maintainable dose of 50000 units monthly once ( or 2000 units per day)for up to one year. However if you don't have sun exposure, ,you may need to take it for longer time.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My Vitamin B12 was normal, but on the low end of normal. The doctor just told me to take an OTC B12.
Would lumbar spine disease be detected on an x-ray? If not, how is it diagnosed? I did have an xray and the result was" Lumbarization of S1 and in the lateral views some straightening of lumbar lordosis that could be positional and/or from muscle spasm." I don't know what lumbarization of S1 means and if it could contribute the back pain.
Would I need to see a chiropractor to get checked or a Primary Care Doctor?
Would lumbar spine disease be detected on an x-ray? If not, how is it diagnosed? I did have an xray and the result was" Lumbarization of S1 and in the lateral views some straightening of lumbar lordosis that could be positional and/or from muscle spasm." I don't know what lumbarization of S1 means and if it could contribute the back pain.
Would I need to see a chiropractor to get checked or a Primary Care Doctor?
Brief Answer:
Meet an Orthopedician
Detailed Answer:
You need to take vitamin B12 as well. The spine changes may explain the pins and needles sensation. You need to take a good multivitamin containing B1, B6 and B12 vitamins.
You must meet an orthopedician and an internal medicine specialist to decide on spine issues and pins and needle sensations.
As i mentioned earlier, please get sun exposure of atleast 15 minutes a day. Exposure between 9 am to 3 pm on hands and arms /legs should suffice.
Attend a good spa and have a nice relaxing soft massage. Vitamin D replacement can be with D3 or D2. D2 is plant derived ( ergocalciferol) and D3 is animal derived ( cholecalciferol). In fact, vitamin D2 is hardly used now a days. I prescribe D3( and D2 not available in my country).
I prescribe 50000 units weekly once for 8 weeks and then monthly once later as maintanance.
Alternatively, i also give 50000 units weekly once for 8 weeks and then 2000 units daily as maintanance. This is based on patient preference.
Meet an Orthopedician
Detailed Answer:
You need to take vitamin B12 as well. The spine changes may explain the pins and needles sensation. You need to take a good multivitamin containing B1, B6 and B12 vitamins.
You must meet an orthopedician and an internal medicine specialist to decide on spine issues and pins and needle sensations.
As i mentioned earlier, please get sun exposure of atleast 15 minutes a day. Exposure between 9 am to 3 pm on hands and arms /legs should suffice.
Attend a good spa and have a nice relaxing soft massage. Vitamin D replacement can be with D3 or D2. D2 is plant derived ( ergocalciferol) and D3 is animal derived ( cholecalciferol). In fact, vitamin D2 is hardly used now a days. I prescribe D3( and D2 not available in my country).
I prescribe 50000 units weekly once for 8 weeks and then monthly once later as maintanance.
Alternatively, i also give 50000 units weekly once for 8 weeks and then 2000 units daily as maintanance. This is based on patient preference.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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