Get vitamin D levels checked

The New Normal

If you take a daily vitamin D supplement, you might feel comfortable knowing that research suggests you’re lowering cancer and heart disease risks.

But you should never assume, because you just might be shocked to find out how low your vitamin D level actually is.

What the heart wants

Earlier this year I told you about a Harvard study that compared vitamin D levels in 900 men with no history of heart ailments and about 450 men with a history of heart attack or heart disease. Results showed a clear link between vitamin D deficiency and heart attack risk. In fact, the data revealed that heart attack risk might be cut in half when low D levels are doubled.

A new study from Germany confirms this important link.

Researchers at the University of Heidelberg measured D levels in more than 3,000 patients who underwent coronary angiography to examine blood flow in the heart.

When the Heidelberg team examined nearly eight years of follow-up health records for each patient, they found that risk of death due to heart failure was three times higher among those with the lowest levels of vitamin D, and risk of sudden cardiac death was even higher.

Checking up

A friend of mine named Adam recently had a bit of a shock when he got the results of a blood test that checked his vitamin D levels. He was moved to send this e-mail out to family and friends…

“Dear Family, Just a heads up here about VITAMIN D.

“My naturopathic doctor included a Vitamin D test in my latest tests. It was way down in the cellar – despite the fact that I faithfully supplement with 1,000 IU daily! Normal levels are 32-100 ng/ml, and my levels are 16. My doctor told me to start taking 5,000 IU a day, and we’ll re-check in a month.

“Just this week, my back doctor had also suggested having my Vitamin D tested, because new studies have linked it to muscle pain and weakness. I told him it was in the works, but never dreamed it would come out so low, because I’d been supplementing already.

“MORAL OF THIS STORY: As you may know, low vitamin D has also lately been linked with a host of other health issues, including bone loss, hip fracture, depression, and a variety of cancers. So it might be a good idea to have your own levels tested soon.

“Your insurance or Medicare will cover it, and Vitamin D couldn’t be cheaper. I just bought a 3-month supply of 5,000 IU capsules for $9.31 including shipping.”

A couple of notes:

• Test results should always be discussed with a doctor because normal value ranges vary from one lab to another.
• Some sources state that “normal” D levels are 16 to 74 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml), while others say 30 to 74 ng/ml is the norm. Obviously, Adam was given yet another slightly different normal range. Again – discuss these differences with your doctor.
• Some medications (phenytoin, phenobarbital, and rifampin) may contribute to vitamin D deficiency.

See the e-Alert “Live Long” (9/17/08), for information about vitamin D sources, including supplementation and dosage.

Source:
“Low Vitamin D Linked to Sudden Cardiac Death” Reuters Health, 11/17/08, reutershealth.com