Nov 10, 2009

More labs: Vits A&D

My D was up to 28 from 18 in just a few weeks with just a few thousand IUs supplemented.  A was 35 mcg, within normal limits.

In Western nations apparently toxicity from too much A is far more of a danger than deficiency.  From wikipedia...


Since vitamin A is fat-soluble, disposing of any excesses taken in through diet is much harder than with water-soluble vitamins B and C, thus vitamin A toxicity may result. This can lead to nausea, jaundice, irritability, anorexia (not to be confused with anorexia nervosa, the eating disorder), vomiting, blurry vision, headaches, hairloss, muscle and abdominal pain and weakness, drowsiness and altered mental status.
Acute toxicity generally occurs at doses of 25,000 IU/kg of body weight, with chronic toxicity occurring at 4,000 IU/kg of body weight daily for 6–15 months.[25] However, liver toxicities can occur at levels as low as 15,000 IU per day to 1.4 million IU per day, with an average daily toxic dose of 120,000 IU per day. In people with renal failure 4000 IU can cause substantial damage. Additionally excessive alcohol intake can increase toxicity. Children can reach toxic levels at 1500IU/kg of body weight.[26]
In chronic cases, hair loss, dry skin, drying of the mucous membranes, fever, insomnia, fatigue, weight loss, bone fractures, anemia, and diarrhea can all be evident on top of the symptoms associated with less serious toxicity.[27]
It has been estimated that 75% of people may be ingesting more than the RDA for vitamin A on a regular basis in developed nations. Intake of twice the RDA of preformed vitamin A chronically may be associated with osteoporosis and hip fractures. This may be due to the fact that an excess of vitamin A can block the expression of certain proteins that are dependent on vitamin K. This could hypothetically reduce the efficacy of vitamin D, which has a proven role in the prevention of osteoporosis and also depends on vitamin K for proper utilization[28].
High vitamin A intake has been associated with spontaneous bone fractures in animals. Cell culture studies have linked increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation with high vitamin A intakes. This interaction may occur because vitamins A and D may compete for the same receptor and then interact with parathyroid hormone which regulates calcium.[26]Indeed, a study by Forsmo et al. shows a correlation between low bone mineral density and too high intake of vitamin A.[29]
Toxic effects of vitamin A have been shown to significantly affect developing fetuses. Therapeutic doses used for acne treatment have been shown to disrupt cephalic neural cell activity. The fetus is particularly sensitive to vitamin A toxicity during the period of organogenesis.[14]
These toxicities only occur with preformed (retinoid) vitamin A (such as from liver). The carotenoid forms (such as beta-carotene as found in carrots), give no such symptoms, but excessive dietary intake of beta-carotene can lead to carotenodermia, which causes orange-yellow discoloration of the skin.[30][31][32]
Researchers have succeeded in creating water-soluble forms of vitamin A, which they believed could reduce the potential for toxicity.[33] However, a 2003 study found that water-soluble vitamin A was approximately 10 times as toxic as fat-soluble vitamin.[34] A 2006 study found that children given water-soluble vitamin A and D, which are typically fat-soluble, suffer from asthma twice as much as a control group supplemented with the fat-soluble vitamins.[35]
Chronically high doses of Vitamin A can produce the syndrome of "pseudotumor cerebri".[36] This syndrome includes headache, blurring of vision and confusion. It is associated with increased intracerebral pressure.[37]

[edit]

Nov 7, 2009

Dina Teaches Me New Stuff About My Supplements

There's always something new to know.  I had no idea that DSers need to to have a higher B12 than normal.  Apparently because we malabsorb, optimal B12 levels are a good baseline to maintain.  I have a tendency toward anemia, even before the DS, so it won't hurt.

The danger in low calcium and the D that helps the calcium work is that your body will leach the calcium from your bones to function.  This will eventually cause bone loss--brittle bones, broken bones.  Hurt bones are a world of pain and disability.  I've never experienced it, but I've seen it. I want to keep my bones intact into my old age!

A couple of markers that your body is leaching calcium from your bones are the PTH and alkaline phosphate levels.  If these numbers are even borderline high and coupled with a borderline low Ca--that's what's starting to happen.  The solution, be religious with calcium/D supplements and get those levels in line.  I need to work on this one.

Nov 5, 2009

Labs drawn today

I saw my surgeon.  I told him about my low vitamin D my rheumy found.  He redid it and ordered a full battery of tests.  I used to be an easy stick, but no more after my weeks and weeks in the hospital.  My veins are a mass of scar tissue.  I hate labs now because I'm usually stuck several times and often end up with a butterfly needle in the hand.  This hurts.  I figure it's poetic justice because I have drawn plenty of blood for other folks that way in my home health days.

My surgeon told me the usual about eating to further my weight loss.  Protein first, then the rest and watch caloric fluids and simple carbs.  I do need to tighten up on my habits.

Halloween has been sort of dicey with the candy.  I'm happy it's over and have gotten most of it out of my house except the candy corn.  Will take that to a friend tomorrow.

I was experimenting to see how my stomach can hold without upchucking.  It's only around 1/3 cup and I can't drink and eat at the same time.

I weigh 213.

Oh, I never mentioned my major DUH moment with my calcium/D supplement.  I was only taking one pill instead of two.  DUH, DUH, DUH.

And I have yet a new diagnosis...asthma.  It's sort of an auto immune thing too?  I have a new inhaler.