montesflus
10-15-2007, 11:08 PM
Hi Desert - Montesflus here:)
I hope you're not too busy to give me your opinion about the results of some blood tests that I did on Sep. 21, and I just got the results mailed to me today. The nurse said they were normal, but still, YOUR opinion would be much appreciated. Whenever you have a moment to spare, please take a look-see at the following:
VITAMIN D, 25-HYDROXY
Vitamin D, 25-OH, Tot 69 20-100 ng/mL
Vitamin D, 25-OH, D3 65 ng/mL
Vitamin D, 25-OH, D2 4 ng/mL
There was the following notation: Therapy is based on measurement of Total 25-OHD, with levels <20 ng/mL indicative of Vitamin D deficiency, while levels between 20 ng/mL and 30 ng/mL suggest insufficiency. Optimal levels are >30 ng/mL.
CALCIUM RESULT ABN REF-RANGE / UNIT
TOTAL CALCIUM
SERUM 9.5 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
ALK.PHOS. 80 20-125 units/L
ALBUMIN 3.5 3.3-4.8 gm/dL
PARATHYROID
HORMONE 41 15-65 pg/mL
Desert, what's your opinion on the above? Do you think the vit d might be rather on the ''high'' side of the ''normal'' range. They mention optimal levels are 30 ng/mL ? I take supplement of 600 IU vit d daily - 400 of which is combined with my calcium/magnesium supplement, and 200 in a separate pill. I also get loads of sun (daily, weather permitting).
Wishing you all the best for YOUR treatment (hope you're feeling well, and with somewhat less pain). Thanks a mill, once again:angel:
I hope you're not too busy to give me your opinion about the results of some blood tests that I did on Sep. 21, and I just got the results mailed to me today. The nurse said they were normal, but still, YOUR opinion would be much appreciated. Whenever you have a moment to spare, please take a look-see at the following:
VITAMIN D, 25-HYDROXY
Vitamin D, 25-OH, Tot 69 20-100 ng/mL
Vitamin D, 25-OH, D3 65 ng/mL
Vitamin D, 25-OH, D2 4 ng/mL
There was the following notation: Therapy is based on measurement of Total 25-OHD, with levels <20 ng/mL indicative of Vitamin D deficiency, while levels between 20 ng/mL and 30 ng/mL suggest insufficiency. Optimal levels are >30 ng/mL.
CALCIUM RESULT ABN REF-RANGE / UNIT
TOTAL CALCIUM
SERUM 9.5 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
ALK.PHOS. 80 20-125 units/L
ALBUMIN 3.5 3.3-4.8 gm/dL
PARATHYROID
HORMONE 41 15-65 pg/mL
Desert, what's your opinion on the above? Do you think the vit d might be rather on the ''high'' side of the ''normal'' range. They mention optimal levels are 30 ng/mL ? I take supplement of 600 IU vit d daily - 400 of which is combined with my calcium/magnesium supplement, and 200 in a separate pill. I also get loads of sun (daily, weather permitting).
Wishing you all the best for YOUR treatment (hope you're feeling well, and with somewhat less pain). Thanks a mill, once again:angel:
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DesertBloom
10-17-2007, 06:52 PM
Hi Monte: How are you? I’m glad you got your tests done, but I’m kind of surprised about the reference range they gave you for normal D. There’s has been a growing concern about the amount of vitamin D that we get and from what I’ve read they are planning to raise the reference ranges on D levels. As you know, the RDA has been changed from 400 to 800-1,000 a day on D and some even recommend going higher than that to 2,000 IU’s. It’s hard to pin anyone down on what is normal or optimal on this test but everyone seems to agree that the normal range should be listed with a higher range of numbers, because the labs are using health based figures instead of the general population results like most tests do. I’ve heard that 50-125 or higher is considered normal, so I thought the ranges would have changed by now.
If what I’ve read is true, than your score is in the normal range for the new D requirements and testing levels. You could talk to your Dr about this and see what he say’s. I’m having the same test done in a week or so, so I’ll let you know if the reference ranges on D 25 change any. If your vitamin D was too high you would expect to see high calcium and PTH levels as well, which you don’t have.
If the labs don’t change the reference ranges, then I would still say your score is good since it’s not out of the range they list. Usually Drs don’t get concerned until your score goes, several points, out of range. My calcium level is always right at the top of the range, and they don’t get concerned about it until it goes out of range by a couple of points. When my calcium is 10.7 or 10.8 they still only list that as "slightly elevated" and then watch it by doing another test every month or so. Once my cal goes back to 10.4, they stop the frequent testing and start doing tests every 4 months.
I hope that answers your question, but I would also run it past the Dr as well.
If you want to read about this, a good place is the Linus Pauling Institute, the Vitamin D Council or the ASBMR on vitamin D-their audio series.
Oh, and I forgot to mention I FINALLY found an accupunturist in a nearby town, but I haven't gone yet. We are trying to figure out if my dx is good enough for Medicare to pay for it, also my pain is better because I'm going to PT 3 times a week and doing some cervical treatment and they have a pool I can use. Once the therapy ends they charge 5.00 a visit for the pool class, but they won't let me start that yet, because I just found out I have 3 ruptured discs in my neck, but at least I finally found out what the pain is coming from, that I've had for so long. The cervical exercises are helping my neck and low back pain, which is really surprising YEAH!!! I will not have another spinal surgery if I can possibly help it, so this has to work ;):wave:
Another thought: Some Drs feel that if you live in So Cal and you get unprotected sun 3 times a week, for up to 20 mins, that's all the D you need. I'm not sure about this so I get a little extra in my diet and supplements.
If what I’ve read is true, than your score is in the normal range for the new D requirements and testing levels. You could talk to your Dr about this and see what he say’s. I’m having the same test done in a week or so, so I’ll let you know if the reference ranges on D 25 change any. If your vitamin D was too high you would expect to see high calcium and PTH levels as well, which you don’t have.
If the labs don’t change the reference ranges, then I would still say your score is good since it’s not out of the range they list. Usually Drs don’t get concerned until your score goes, several points, out of range. My calcium level is always right at the top of the range, and they don’t get concerned about it until it goes out of range by a couple of points. When my calcium is 10.7 or 10.8 they still only list that as "slightly elevated" and then watch it by doing another test every month or so. Once my cal goes back to 10.4, they stop the frequent testing and start doing tests every 4 months.
I hope that answers your question, but I would also run it past the Dr as well.
If you want to read about this, a good place is the Linus Pauling Institute, the Vitamin D Council or the ASBMR on vitamin D-their audio series.
Oh, and I forgot to mention I FINALLY found an accupunturist in a nearby town, but I haven't gone yet. We are trying to figure out if my dx is good enough for Medicare to pay for it, also my pain is better because I'm going to PT 3 times a week and doing some cervical treatment and they have a pool I can use. Once the therapy ends they charge 5.00 a visit for the pool class, but they won't let me start that yet, because I just found out I have 3 ruptured discs in my neck, but at least I finally found out what the pain is coming from, that I've had for so long. The cervical exercises are helping my neck and low back pain, which is really surprising YEAH!!! I will not have another spinal surgery if I can possibly help it, so this has to work ;):wave:
Another thought: Some Drs feel that if you live in So Cal and you get unprotected sun 3 times a week, for up to 20 mins, that's all the D you need. I'm not sure about this so I get a little extra in my diet and supplements.
montesflus
10-17-2007, 11:50 PM
Hi Desert,
Thanks so much for your VERY informational reply. No, I wasn't yet aware that they'd changed the reference ranges for vit. d. Still, doesn't really surprise me. Everything regarding healthcare, studies, clinical trials, etc. seem to change every other day. It really frustrates me no end.
Re my vit.d tests, the only thing I was a bit concerned about, was what they quoted as being ''optimal'', namely around 30 :confused: As you saw, my ''total'' was 69 - great! - using THEIR range of 20-100. But THEN they went on to say that ''30'', or so, was ''optimal''. Hmmmmmmmm. They also stated that levels between 20 to 30 suggested insufficiency! That's why I couldn't understand how on earth ''30'' could be optimal. Still, I got a letter today stating my tests all came out in the normal range. I suppose ''optimal'' probably differs between people and different metabolisms;)
Anyway, enough about me. I'm really glad you've finally found an accupuncturist. Hope that he/she WILL accept medicare. If they don't, then try for a ''bundle'' discount, whereby if you go for a certain amount of treatments each week, you can get a discounted price (hopefully).
Also, how come they only NOW find the ruptured discs in your neck? How did they discover them? And why hadn't the relevant ''test'' been done earlier?:confused: How will they treat it? Anyway, glad to hear that the PT is helping your pain, whatever you do, be very careful with your neck.
Thanks for the links, I'll have to take a look-see at them later on this evening.
Hope your pain continues to improve, take care
montesflus::angel: :wave:
Thanks so much for your VERY informational reply. No, I wasn't yet aware that they'd changed the reference ranges for vit. d. Still, doesn't really surprise me. Everything regarding healthcare, studies, clinical trials, etc. seem to change every other day. It really frustrates me no end.
Re my vit.d tests, the only thing I was a bit concerned about, was what they quoted as being ''optimal'', namely around 30 :confused: As you saw, my ''total'' was 69 - great! - using THEIR range of 20-100. But THEN they went on to say that ''30'', or so, was ''optimal''. Hmmmmmmmm. They also stated that levels between 20 to 30 suggested insufficiency! That's why I couldn't understand how on earth ''30'' could be optimal. Still, I got a letter today stating my tests all came out in the normal range. I suppose ''optimal'' probably differs between people and different metabolisms;)
Anyway, enough about me. I'm really glad you've finally found an accupuncturist. Hope that he/she WILL accept medicare. If they don't, then try for a ''bundle'' discount, whereby if you go for a certain amount of treatments each week, you can get a discounted price (hopefully).
Also, how come they only NOW find the ruptured discs in your neck? How did they discover them? And why hadn't the relevant ''test'' been done earlier?:confused: How will they treat it? Anyway, glad to hear that the PT is helping your pain, whatever you do, be very careful with your neck.
Thanks for the links, I'll have to take a look-see at them later on this evening.
Hope your pain continues to improve, take care
montesflus::angel: :wave:
DesertBloom
10-18-2007, 11:22 AM
Hi agian: I think you might be overthinking this. If 20-30 is insufficient and anything greater than 30 is optimal, wouldn't that mean that any number above 30 is optimal? I know this sounds wierd, because they way the labs try to explain this doesn't make much sense. High D would be anything over 100 according to your lab. I'm having a hard time with 30 being optimal. Look at the Linus Pauling Institute and see if that helps where they explain the reference ranges and how normal is probably closer to 50-125.
My neck has been an ongoing issue, but I thought it was just arthritis and never had the right test to prove otherwise. For now all I'm going to do is PT.
:wave:
My neck has been an ongoing issue, but I thought it was just arthritis and never had the right test to prove otherwise. For now all I'm going to do is PT.
:wave: