Low Vitamin D Levels

Just had my six month post-op bloods done, and it looks like my Vitamin D levels are on the low side of normal. In talking with my PCP and a pharmacist, it looks like I have been taking my vitamin supplements incorrectly. No, this doesn't mean I've been putting them up my nose instead of chewing them thoroughly! I've been taking all four in the morning after breakfast. Since our bodies only absorb a maximum of 600 mg of calcium at one time, I'm not getting the full benefit of my vitamins. I also need to add a third calcium during the day. If the sun ever decides to stay out here for more than a day, I'll make an effort to get out in the sun more, too. Sunshine is the best way to get adequate vitamin D. I'm glad my HMO does all these labs every three months. Imagine going for years not knowing I needed more Vitamin D until something dire happened -- like a broken hip. Kix

Hey kix, its that dang shrimp fighting with the calcium lol... hugs marge

Kix, Our nutritionist has us take our multivitamin in the morning with breakfast (because it has iron and iron also interferes with calcium absorbtion) then I take 1/2 my calcium 600 mg at lunch and 1/2 the other 600 mg of calcium at dinner. I also take 400 mg of Vit D at lunch with my calcium because it helps your body absorb calcium better. My levels on my blood tests have been coming out stellar, so I must be doing something right. Lori

hmmm, now you all have me thinking i'm doing it wrong! i do take my multi-vitamins separately from my calcium due to the iron issue lori mentioned...but i take all my calcium at the same time at night. my surgeon only has labs done once a year, and it's next week, so i guess i'll find out then! thanks for the tip! deb (who is hibernating due to a blizzard!)

Wow, thanks, I guess I need to take my calcuim seperate. I take all my vitamins in the morning one right after the other. I guess I need to wait until later in the day to take my calsium. Two 600 mg tabs.

I didn't think they could even test for our calcium levels through our bloodwork????