Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Mbrown001 on June 19, 2017, 08:44:18 AM
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Do those of you who supplement continue during the summer months.
My area hasn't had that much sun so I've continued but hopefully the weather will improve.
Any thoughts.
Mrs Brown
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Yes I do Mrs Brown, but my levels are still relatively low at 70nmol/L, plus I'm rarely out in the sun near midday. When abroad I use sunscreen so don't get much then either.My skin type means I don't produce a huge amount of vitamin d too.
this is quite a good link
https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/how-do-i-get-the-vitamin-d-my-body-needs/
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Hi there, my meno consultant said definitely to take the high amount (5000mg) during November to March but I take it every day (you can get a years supply from Amazon). I also have Vitamin B12 which seems to be helping with fatigue (in the day) and improving sleep (at night). She did say that everybody should take a minimum of 400mg Vit D all year though.
I am a pale as Persil! So am either red or white quite frankly - I rarely sit in direct sunlight ....
SP x
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I think I will continue taking it during the summer.
I do like the sun when we get it but I don't let it on my face as its aging and I don't want to end up like a walnut as I do tan easily. Max 20 mins without protection with sun cream but never on my face. I've already had a little growth burned off.
Heck its difficult isn't it.
The risk of skin cancer or low vit D.
Bit of a minefield really.
Mrs Brown
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I usually keep taking it as the summers are too hit and miss. Since getting very low, I am more aware of my levels dropping. I usually double up for the winter months. However, I have been in and out a lot in the middle of the day doing the garden over the last couple of weeks, and we have had a lot of sun. There is no substitute for real sun :sunny: and I am now going a pale beige between the freckles.
I have had a stiff neck and feet in bed for a few days so have added magnesium - you are supposed to get this from fruit and vegetables. I have read that if you increase your vit D, your magnesium gets used up and you can get a temporary dip. I don't take magnesium all the time coz it messes up my bowels, but I have a spray which I can use on my stiff feet and neck. It is disgustingly sticky though. :-\
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Does 1 Vitamin need another for up-take? I found magnesium when used in high dosage for a persistent cough caused me to visit the loo more than I expected :o ::) - how does 1 know if the level is low, blood test?
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My son who has just turned 16 had Vitamin D levels in his boots according to his paediatrician recently.
He is on prescribed supplements but she did tell him to get his shirt off every morning in the garden....bit difficult he was either at school or in bed....my teens don't like mornings ;D
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Man after my own heart then ;D
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A consultant dermatologist I saw advised Vit D all year for those who burn and high SPF at all times. We discussed how many people he sees with melanoma which is drastically on the increase even in those who tan easily. He despaired of those who don't use any form of protection because "they didn't need it" and in his words, 'those old enough to know better who think that tanned skin is more attractive. Let me tell you, advanced skin cancer is not terribly attractive!'
He was preaching to the converted, factor 60 for me, splash it all over, just like Henry Cooper with his Brut!! x
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I hate sun cream and go out in a hat and shirt (with neck protection) if I am having a day out in this weather. I have always kept well covered because I burn easily. Sun cream is a godsend for bits that stick out - I have a tube of factor 50 in my handbag in case I get caught out (along with my spare knickers and emergency biscuit etc ;) )
However, since my vit D levels got so low, I am doing five minutes here and there in the garden, when the shadows are short. It is plenty if you are very pale.
CLKD - the magnesium question is a bit blurry - I read somewhere that it is the lack of magnesium that causes the painful joints you get with vitamin D deficiency because the two work together. (Maybe there is some info on the vitD council website?) However, if you take vit D and increase your blood levels, it uses up the magnesium and you go back to aching again a couple of weeks later. For me it is a particular sort of ache - in the neck and hands and feet and it goes into the hips when it gets bad. I get stuck in a position and it hurts to move - when it got bad, I was going to bed as I could not sit up in the evenings and hold my head up. Last week, my feet were slightly 'pinned down' by the blanket on the bottom of the bed and when I woke in the night they were sort of fixed into position and I had to help them move - it hurt :( but the magnesium spray seemed to help and it has gone away again. It may be something else, but I have had tests for arthritis and it wasn't that. If I come up with other ideas I will go back to the doctor - they never seem to be interested once their tests have come back negative, but it still hurts just as much.
Magnesium supplements also act as a laxative (think Milk of Magnesia ::) ) There are some more expensive ones in H&B that are supposed to be better, but I am not going there. You should really be getting enough from your green leafy veg etc.
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Is it diagnosed by a blood test :-\ and what symptoms would 1 go to the GP about?
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Is it diagnosed by a blood test :-\ and what symptoms would 1 go to the GP about?
Yes, GP did mine a couple of years ago because of joint pain and being exhausted. Paid for private testing this year to see if levels had gone up.
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You and me both Daliagirl, I hate suncream with a vengeance but needs must. Can't wait to shower the darn stuff off and feel clean and hate the way it stains your clothes!! One of the reasons why I hate the summer!!
Have you tried taking a combined Vit D and magnesium supplement or does that upset your tummy too? x
PS Mention of your emergency biscuit never fails to make me smile!! I've just eaten an emergency piece of lemon tart with a dollop of raspberry cream!! ;)
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:thankyou: I haven't those symptoms and we walk a lot from mid-Feb. so I get brown hands/wrists/face early on.
:lol: where's mine!?! >hands over plate< .......
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http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Magnesium-test/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/magnesium/tab/glance
Yes you can get tested - usually in relation to heart conditions and electrolytes.
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Have you tried taking a combined Vit D and magnesium supplement or does that upset your tummy too? x
I haven't seen one around - has anyone any recommendations?
(re: emergency biscuit - I usually save the ones you get with cups of tea/coffee these days. I had need of it a couple of weeks ago and it was (a) Too Small and (b) crumbled to powder. I may have to rethink - flapjack? I knew someone who carried an Emergency Banana because she had Coeliac disease. Unfortunately it was confiscated at NZ customs and she was fined for importing it >:( )
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Banana smuggling then ;D
I use a magnesium spray as the oral tabs make me run to the loo.
I do like a light tan but I'm not prepared to take any risks in getting burned. Trying to get some bits in the sun while keeping my face and chest in the shade. :o ;D not the easiest thing to do.
I'm not fair skinned at all but the last thing I need is a very deep tan.
Apart from aging your skin it really does increase the chance of skin cancers.
Both my sister and I had a little growth at the side of our nose.
Fortunately neither was maglignant but it certainly made me think very carefully about my time in the sunshine.
Mrs Brown
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dahliagirl, I've been taking Vitabiotics Osteocare plus glucosamine and chondroitin which contains a full range of minerals and vit D3 considered nec for joint and bone health. It's advertised on this site (see above columns). I would say it has definitely helped my overall joint pain that kicked in through peri, aside from bulging disc pain in my spine which has flared terribly recently.
For the regulars who generally fly in with the advice re eating well and supplements being unnecessary - I eat brilliantly well but at this age and with evidence of mild arthritis and the fact that I can't expose my skin to the sun unprotected, my docs recommended a supplement would be beneficial. This has definitely helped and helps hubbies IBS too. x
Couldn't agree more Mrs B. The weathered prune look doesn't wear well into old age either! One of my neighbours is a keen gardner and sun lover, tiny shorts and string tops without sun preps and looks so much older than she is. She's had three Squamous cell carcinomas and Actinic keratoses but continues to worship the sun. My MIL suffers from melanoma on her legs and it's something to be avoided at all costs!! Very nasty and just keeps erupting no matter how many times they perform surgery. x
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Thanks - it does contain a lot of useful vits/minerals - and I have been meaning to try glucosamine - a dancing teacher said that although things came out in the newspapers saying it did nothing, she could feel the difference when she stopped taking it.
I have tried to avoid things containing calcium supplements because I am not supposed to take them because of kidney stones. I am not supposed to take vitamin D either ::) Not sure how you get round it. Most vitamin d tablets contain calcium as a filler, whether they say so or not and the spray did not seem to work for me. I will give it a trial (and drink plenty water ;)) It is 10 years since I had a stone so it was hopefully a one-off.
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Give it a try dahliagirl, I'm naturally a skeptic but open minded enough to give things a try. I was struggling with gripping heavy pans (do a lot of batch cooking so have massive pans), fingers could be really sore and achey, along with other joints. That has all calmed fairly dramatically. Interestingly when I've stopped taking it a couple of times when travelling or getting out of the routine, the pain flares again.
Dr Curry discusses it here.
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,77.0.html
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Yes, I have had trouble with pans etc and choir music for some years. :(
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Hello everyone.
This is really topical at the moment, especially in light of our three days of summer!
Vitamin D is a confusing little blighter as it is actually a steroid hormone and vitally important for good bone and connective tissue development as children but also to prevent osteoporosis in later years. Current research also suggests levels below 20mmols may increase certain cancers. Even with a perfect diet it is incredibly difficult to obtain more than 10% or your requirement, daily broad area exposure to sunshine, ideally in the morning, without sunscreen may maintain low / normal levels in folk without underlying health issues.
I use mineral sunscreen all year round because of an autoimmune condition so manafactured very little, after 3 weeks in Mexico mine reached the dizzy heights of 17, deemed critically low.
Depending on how low levels are determines the need for active or therapeutic treatment. Active is a very high dose weekly for 7 weeks then a fairly high dose usually for life. Therapeutic management can be obtained by using high quality over the counter supplements ( prescription doses are not bound with calcium for those who cannot take this).
The main thing is to remember that this is a vital hormone and even slightly low levels can lead to unpleasent symptoms, research is on going and some members of the medical profession are more enlightened than others.
If you are concerned discuss with your GP 're the need for a blood test to check, you can then make an informed decision on how best to manage your levels moving forwards.
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You're very welcome. I hope it helped a little. More 🌞🌞🌞