My Vitamin D Was Low…What Does That Mean?

Steph Wagner MS, RDN

August 19, 2014

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If you’ve ever heard you had a low Vitamin D come back in your lab work, you are not alone.

In fact, many studies and surveys are reporting 3/4s of adults and teens are Vitamin D deficient. So what does that mean?

Some professionals believe we don’t even know all the effects of low Vitamin D. But what we do know about Vitamin D is this:

The major role of Vitamin D is to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorous. 

So really, Vitamin D is the supporting actor in the performance. And you have to have good supporting roles. Calcium, you may remember, is what allows our bones to be strong and healthy. Vitamin D acts as the “car” to give the calcium a ride into the bones. Without the car, the calcium won’t get to the bone.

Knowing this, it may make sense the biggest risk factor of having low Vitamin D: Osteomalacia. The softening of bones. 

However, some scientist are now believing low Vitamin D can be a risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Vitamin D can also play a huge role in your immune system and preventing colds. So how to make sure you get enough??

You may think of sunlight when you think of Vitamin D. And this is true, however, obesity is a risk factor for having low Vitamin D despite exposure to the sun. The same is true for foods containing high amounts of Vitamin D. If you have had results of a low Vitamin D level, you may need a prescription or over-the-counter supplement- talk to your doctor or dietitian. 

Not to fret. This once a week high dosage of Vitamin D can take care of the problem and prevent future issues from occurring. If you’ve had a low Vitamin D, you are more likely to experience it going low in the future. SO be sure to stick with your maintenance level dose of Vitamin D after completing a high potency dose. Your doctor or dietitian can help!

As with all vitamins, find a routine and stay consistent. Bariatric specific vitamins are made just for you after your surgery and prevent deficiencies from occurring. Just as an expecting mother needs to be on a prenatal because it’s specific to her needs, a bariatric patient should be on a bariatric vitamin routine specific to his or her needs!

Vitamins aren’t always glamorous to talk about (yaaawwwwn) but I have seen the effects of vitamin deficients and they are NOT CUTE! Nope!

If you need to  find a bariatric doctor or dietitian, you can contact me here and I will help you find a provider in your area.

 

5 thoughts on “My Vitamin D Was Low…What Does That Mean?”

  1. Both times I have had post-op labs my vitamin D has been way low. They put me on a prescription Vitamin D (twice a week) and my last set of labs came back looking awesome. I can honestly say that I wasn’t taking my vitamins like I was suppose to at the time of those first labs. It’s so important!! I feel a LOT better when I do.

  2. Perfect example why it’s so important to get your labs done and get things back in order sooner rather than later!

  3. Thanks for all your help! I love reading your information. Just two months out of surgery and need all the help I can get! Thanks so much.

  4. Congratulations! I hope things are going well. Thanks for following and I’m so glad you find it helpful!

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