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[JS79]

Short story, been having symptoms on/off since 2021 but been constant since Dec 23. Had various tests including for MS then finally agreed it was perimenopause due to my symptoms getting worse just before my period and changes to period although still regular.
I had to beg for vitamin blood tests where I was told vit d was insufficient so to take a daily supplement and my b12 was just in normal range so no need to supplement. I started HRT in July and some of my symptoms have disappeared but some remain. I've being doing some investigating and I found due to my vit d level I should have had loading doses and the amount they told me to take is basically the lowest dose that people without a deficiency should be taking during the winter. Also the level of b12 I have would be considered deficient in other areas in the UK and they would be on injections.
I'm reading so much info(good medical info) as well as joining some fb groups for advice.
Problem is most of the symptoms cross over with each other so unless medicated separately then you won't know what is helping.
I also take lansoprazole which can cause b12 deficiency, I only developed acid reflux when I started perimenopause symptoms .
I think a lot of vitamin deficiencies can be attributed to the hormone changes in perimenopause or is it that perimenopause highlights a vitamin deficiency?
Anyway I'm away to have bloods taken to check my testosterone levels but as going private I'm getting a full set including b12 (hoping levels are the same or reduced so GP can start treatment) and vit d to see how the supplements from Feb/March have altered my levels.

[CLKD]

Who told U about the VitD necessity?  When my levels were low a few years ago the GP prescribed a higher dose for 4 weeks than can be bought over the counter.

As oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax = aches and pains plus the risk of histus hernia and reflux.  My GP prescribes Omeprazolol, without it I have reflux 24/7. I think it's the sister to what you take.  How often?  I take my capsule at breakfast to layer the digestive tract during the day. Plus Milk of Magnesia liquid when required.

I haven't been made aware that these antacids may cause a VitB12 deficiency, have U spoken to a local pharmacist.  No good relying on other sites particularly those that are selling medications ;-)

Let us know how you get on.

[SundayGirl]

There are several useful Vitamin D calculators online including this one

https://www.grassrootshealth.net/project/dcalculator/

GP's tend to be useless when it comes to nutrition and will prescribe until you're only just within the ridiculously wide ranges. I now have a DIY approach and I always take a combined one with K2 as jaypo said.

For low B12, find a decent methylated B Complex. This will keep all your B vitamins in balance.

PPI's will inhibit absorbtion of B12.

Oh, and incase you don't know, reflux, GERD, heartburn, whatever you want to call it, can also be caused by low stomach acid.

[JS79]

CLKD -it was GP that told me to take 800iu daily for a vit d level of 27. Will see how these levels have improved since supplements started and if no further forward will ask for a loading dose.
Lansoprazole and b12 is on the nice guidelines. We need acid to break down/absorb b12 but if we use a PPI like omeprazole or Lansoprazole then this stops the acid production. I take 1 every morning and if having a big flare then also at night but normally go through day on gaviscon advanced which is prescribed by GP.
Jaypo-ive only just found out that I need to take k2 with vit d. I've now purchased better you spray.
Sundaygirl-im scared to start taking all the vitamins at once incase I don't know what is causing the symptoms but I can't go on like this. Hopefully blood results will help.

[Kathleen]

Hello JS79


Thank you for your short story!

Perhaps you can update us when you see your latest test results,  I'm sure many ladies will want to know how you get on.

Take care.

K.

[SundayGirl]

JS79 - getting bloods done first is always a good idea. You then know what you need to concentrate on first.

Don't start taking a whole load of supplements all at once. Introduce them slowly one at a time a week or two apart. That way you'll know if one doesn't agree with you or not.

The better you sprays are good for maintenance doses but it gets a bit expensive if you need more than one spray per day. Sprays also get absorbed through the mouth so no need to worry about stomach acid. 

[CLKD]

We are a Mine of info aren't we 

I was prescribed 3,200 IU Capsules Fultimum-D(3).  Can't buy that amount OTCounter.

[Ayesha]

Very good advice about not starting on a load of supplements at once, I began to take supplements because of long term use of PPI’S but I gradually introduced them and glad I did.
After taking VitD for a long time I then heard about K2 so I added it to the mix only to find that it caused acid reflux and bloating, the same with calcium, I can’t tolerate both these supplements.
I am doing so well on VitD and the other vitamins I take and for me K2 has not been necessary so don’t worry if you can’t take it, VitD being a vital vitamin to take as we age.
 

[SundayGirl]

We are a Mine of info aren't we 

I was prescribed 3,200 IU Capsules Fultimum-D(3).  Can't buy that amount OTCounter.

My mother always used to say I was a mine of useless information 

I don't know when you were prescribed that but you can actually buy 4000iu vitamin d OTC now- loads of different ones available as I think people are much more health conscious than we used to be. That's the highest dose recommended to take daily though.

[CLKD]

R U able to let us know where 'cos Boots won't sell anything higher than 200 ......... once a day.

[SundayGirl]

There's more places than Boots you know 
Amazon sell a whole host of various dosages.

Boots own brand are 10mcg which is 400 or 25mcg which is 1000 plus another brand which is 50mcg or 2000 so not sure where you've got 200 from 

[CLKD]

R there more chemists  not in some parts of the Back of Beyond there aren't 

I would never think to buy from Amazon 

[JS79]

I originally went to Boots, they had a 3 for 2 on vits so I got omega 3,6,9 oil capsules and vit d and my other half got some vit d also as we don't live together full time.
Didn't manage to grt bloods done at the clinic. Mu veins kept hiding and they tried a few spots but I wasn't giving anything away. They have given me the stuff to take away and when I'm working on Friday or Sunday I'm going to get the phlebotomist to have a go at me.

[chopsuey]

Make sure you're well hydrated beforehand. Don't normally have trouble getting blood taken from me but struggled in a recent test. The phlebotomist thought it was because I was dehydrated.

[JS79]

Update- managed to get blood taken yesterday but noticed when putting them in envelope to send away to lab that my yellow top may be congealed 😢 fingers crossed.