3 replies to this topic

[Hank]

After my last physical (before my diagnosis) I was surprised that my Vitamin D levels were so low. My doctor told me to drink more milk and get more sun. But I drank milk every day and had been out in the sun all summer. I went on a prescription megadose. Now it makes more sense.


I thought this was interesting:


Role of Vitamin D in Narcolepsy

Vitamin D plays a very important role in autoimmune diseases. Research conducted at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center on numerous narcoleptic patients has concluded that they often also have vitamin D deficiency. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are extremely low in narcoleptic patients, especially when compared to individuals without an autoimmune disorder.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Considering the importance in vitamin D in autoimmune disorders and its relation to narcolepsy, scientists at Louisiana State University have conducted research on patients with vitamin D deficiency. This research sought to understand whether low levels of vitamin D could lead to narcolepsy and if improvement of that deficiency could improve symptoms in narcoleptic patients. Administration of 50,000 IU of vitamin D once a week for two weeks improved sleep pathology in the study.


Read more: http://www.livestron.../#ixzz27iQRSbby


DALLAS – Jan. 5, 2012 – Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center psychiatrists working with the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study. It is believed to be the largest such investigation ever undertaken.

Low levels of vitamin D already are associated with a cavalcade of health woes from cardiovascular diseases to neurological ailments. This new study – published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings – helps clarify a debate that erupted after smaller studies produced conflicting results about the relationship between vitamin D and depression. Major depressive disorder affects nearly one in 10 adults in the U.S.

“Our findings suggest that screening for vitamin D levels in depressed patients – and perhaps screening for depression in people with low vitamin D levels – might be useful,” said Dr. E. Sherwood Brown, professor of psychiatry and senior author of the study, done in conjunction with The Cooper Institute in Dallas. “But we don’t have enough information yet to recommend going out and taking supplements.”

UT Southwestern researchers examined the results of almost 12,600 participants from late 2006 to late 2010. Dr. Brown and colleagues from The Cooper Institute found that higher vitamin D levels were associated with a significantly decreased risk of current depression, particularly among people with a prior history of depression. Low vitamin D levels were associated with depressive symptoms, particularly those with a history of depression, so primary care patients with a history of depression may be an important target for assessing vitamin D levels. The study did not address whether increasing vitamin D levels reduced depressive symptoms.

[sleepylune]

My allergist told me to start taking vitamin D daily, as allergies are an autoimmune issue as well. Interesting stuff! Thanks for posting.

[Megssosleepy]

Very interesting! I find it strange that most western docs don't check for Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. I recently started making sure I took my multi every morning and I drink the supplemental drinks, I wonder if its not the Xyrem thats helping my mood, but the Vit D, or maybe a combo!

[thecatnapper]

Very interesting! I find it strange that most western docs don't check for Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. I recently started making sure I took my multi every morning and I drink the supplemental drinks, I wonder if its not the Xyrem thats helping my mood, but the Vit D, or maybe a combo!

I don't understand why they don't test for it either. I'm willing to bet that most people are Vit D deficient but then again maybe that's because everyone close to me has autoimmune symptoms, some diagnosed, some not. The last primary care doc I went to turned out to be an awful diagnostician and very biased but I will give her props for testing my Vit D. No other doctor had ever tested it in my entire life so there's no telling how long I've been deficient. I think the test should be added to at least a CBC or Basic Metabolic Panel and everyone should be tested at their anual physical and definitely tested if they have deficiency type symptoms....but that's just my not-so-humble opinion