Sometimes you don’t know you have D deficiency because it isn’t quite obvious.
When talking to your physician it’s critical that you’re as open and forthcoming about your symptoms as possible. Many doctors need to know all your symptoms in order to figure out if they’re connected. This ensures optimal treatment. For example, let’s say you have high blood sugar, frequent skin rashes, erectile dysfunction, a weak urine stream, a perspiring head, and bouts of sadness. And then you go to the doctor, but focus on on blood sugar assuming that these other symptoms have nothing to do with your visit. You’ve done yourself a disservice.
Why? Because if you focus on blood sugar, your physician will chase it down with conventional pills such as metformin.
You will be given instructions for a special diet, and you’ll have to start testing your blood sugar with finger sticks. Nothing is wrong with any of that, but had you mentioned all the other symptoms you deal with, it’s likely your physician would have picked up on a vitamin D deficiency, and suggested that you take D before prescribing all the pills and pricks.
A deficiency of D can call all of the symptoms I’ve mentioned plus more. And if you have a good doctor that is truly listening to you, the seemingly random list of symptoms makes sense from a broader perspective to them.
Furthermore, the treatment you would receive will make a huge difference because it would be nice to clear all your symptoms up by restoring D levels, rather than chasing down the right drug for every symptom you have.
What About Vitamin D Receptors
Vitamin D receptors grab hold of the activated hormone form of vitamin D and then impacts the expression of about 900 genes! So if D is low (or high) there are literally hundreds of symptoms that you could experience. Many signs and symptoms of D deficiency get medicated.
For example, the “winter blues” results in part from insufficient D and yet, it’s treated with antidepressants. Which is controversial now because a 2022 study suggests that serotonin – the key target for antidepressant therapy – isn’t even the place to start! Read THIS PAPER.
Speaking of serotonin and depression, did you know that your brain hardly makes any serotonin at all? Read my other article, Serotonin: How the Gut-Brain Axis Boosts Mood.
Erectile dysfunction certainly has many causes, however, one of them is D deficiency. Perspiring sweaty body parts are often treated with Botox shots, but sometimes it stems from D deficiency. Whether D deficiency is the driving factor or a contributing factor, it is something that your physician should check.
Here’s how you can get a FREE bottle of Vitamin D in case you’d like to try it.
Here are some other unusual signs of D Deficiency in case you are wondering if you have any.
It’s not me just saying this, there are randomized, controlled studies that have confirmed the following symptoms and related diseases are associated with insufficient D:
Acne
Skin rashes
Heart arrhythmias
Tearfulness
Fatigue
Irritable bowel (both constipation or diarrhea predominant)
Bloating
Fractures
Flare-ups for autoimmune conditions
Body aches
Cognitive decline
Muscle weakness
Neuropathy
Macular degeneration
Dry eye
Wheezing
Allergies
High blood pressure
Lichen planus
Frequent infections
Supplementing with Vitamin D Will Help Resolve D Deficiency
If you decide to supplement with Vitamin D, it’s a good idea to get your baseline levels of D, and then begin your supplementation. Even though it’s a nutrient that is sold everywhere, I support you having your practitioner supervise you and test you periodically. Remember, D will increase calcium absorption so be aware of excessive intake which can lead to hypercalcemia. Learn about that in my other article, Calcium and Hypercalcemia Treatment Options.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
