Excess and Deficiency

[Nicobulus]

I keep reminding myself to post this when I see ads on the back of buses for iron supplements and wanted to highlight this issue to people who might be struggling with similar symptoms. Sorry if it's a little long winded.

In the lead up to Xmas last year I'd reached the point where I was so physically knackered I was falling asleep a lot. At breakfast. In the office. On the tube. Yes, I was so knackered I stopped cycling and actually contorted myself into a little metal box to get to work just so I could get a bit more sleep.

Around this time, I learnt that my father had been diagnosed with Genetic Haemochromatosis. I did a little research and discovered the condition is brought about by an EXCESS of iron in your blood. So iron supplements are going to make the problem worse. Encouragingly, the cure for this disease is a regular trip to the blood bank for an old fashioned phlebotomy will solve the problem.

My loving family also revealed to me that one of my brothers also suffers from the same condition. Given the title word of "genetic" requires both mother and father to be carriers, and the fact that the symptoms matched my own, I thought it best to get myself tested.

However, my very smart GP suggested that my exceedingly pallid skin meant a lack of exposure to the sun and a vitamin D deficiency was possibly a cause as the symptoms are similar. He suggested that as well as testing the iron levels in my blood, that my vitamin D levels were evaluated.

Turns out the issue was not excess iron, but deficient vitamin D levels. I started take vitamin D supplements and within a couple of weeks I felt my energy levels were pretty much back to normal. That and not falling asleep at the drop of a hat were quite a relief.

I'm now back on the bike and enjoying my commute during the lovely English spring.

 

[EltonFrog]

Interesting information that, as a regular donor of platelets I'm obsessive out my iron levels, as they can't take my donation if my iron is to low. Perhaps I need to keep an eye on the vitamin d as well.

 

[biggs682]

nice bit of info and great to hear you are back on your bike

 

[Fnaar]

So the often-sarcastically given or humorously-given advice "you need to get out more" is, in this case, true!
It's comforting when you find out the answer to something that's been making you feel ill.
I had a spell in my early 20s where I was similarly really tired all the time. went to give blood one day, and they refused it, saying I was very low in iron. Trip to the doc, to confirm, iron supps, and the doc told me to drink the occasional Guinness, too.

 

[tadpole]

It's worth getting the a health MOT from your doctor, especially if, like the OP, you're feeling crap, or having difficulty staying awake. I went to the doctors three weeks ago, thinking the worse (prostrate cancer symptoms down to a tee) after a few urgent phone calls from the doctor to have more tests done and a week of stress waiting for the results. I've been diagnosed with excess potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia) Which is not the greatest of news, not as bad as it could be, but not great. Thankfully like the OP it's a fairly simple solution for me, eat less vegetables and foods that are rich in potassium. (at least for the time being)

 

[Arch]

So the often-sarcastically given or humorously-given advice "you need to get out more" is, in this case, true!
It's comforting when you find out the answer to something that's been making you feel ill.
I had a spell in my early 20s where I was similarly really tired all the time. went to give blood one day, and they refused it, saying I was very low in iron. Trip to the doc, to confirm, iron supps, and the doc told me to drink the occasional Guinness, too.

Apparently the best meal for getting iron is a steak, dark chocolate and Guinness, because all those contain iron in a form that can be easily absorbed by the body. Dark leafy greens are rich in iron, but it's a form that's harder to absorb or something.

The vitamin D deficiency thing is more common because we're all so fussy about hats and sun cream these days. The fear of skin cancer means we cover up religiously, and sun cream blocking UV also blocks the process of forming vitamin D. Children are starting to get rickets again!

The latest I've heard is that we need something like 15 mins a day proper exposure to sunlight (doesn't have to be full sun, just light), without protection, to get enough Vitamin D.

 

[Night Train]

The latest I've heard is that we need something like 15 mins a day proper exposure to sunlight (doesn't have to be full sun, just light), without protection, to get enough Vitamin D.

I wonder how much skin area needs to be exposed to get enough vitamin D?
Out on the bike it is often only my face that is uncovered, walking only uncovers my face and hands.

 

[yello]

Coincidently, my wife was diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency (after a blood test). She had the same symptoms of fatigue. A couple of tablets later (taken a week apart as I recall) and the levels were back and she was fine. It's cool when modern medicine works!

 

[summerdays]

Would it come up in a standard blood test or do they do a specific test to look for it?

 

[Globalti]

This will interest my wife who is always tired and always frozen.

 

[vernon]

This will interest my wife who is always tired and always frozen.

Speak to her nicely then if you don't want a frosty reception.

 

[fossyant]

Like Arch says, Vit D deficiency is very common these days, especially in the UK. To get proper exposure you need to expose your torso to the sun, not just arms/legs and face.

My missus suffers from it, related to Thyroid trouble. She orders supplements from the States (via Amazon) (sublingual vitamin d) which have mega doses, and they quickly bring the levels up. Usually, a couple of weeks on holiday (somewhere sunny) is enough to bring up the Vitamin D levels for the year !

As for testing, you have to ask for Vitamin D to be specifically tested for, and depending upon GP, they won't always do it, or indeed prescribe any supplements if you are deficient - our GP is a right scrooge, and she suffers Vit D deficiency herself !

 

[Nicobulus]

Would it come up in a standard blood test or do they do a specific test to look for it?

From what I gather, your GP needs to specify that the lab checks for it.

What I'm most amazed by is how a simple vitamin supplement makes such a difference. I even left work early today to ensure I made the most of the sunshine on the way home

 

[Nicobulus]

Apparently the best meal for getting iron is a steak, dark chocolate and Guinness, because all those contain iron in a form that can be easily absorbed by the body. Dark leafy greens are rich in iron, but it's a form that's harder to absorb or something.

The vitamin D deficiency thing is more common because we're all so fussy about hats and sun cream these days. The fear of skin cancer means we cover up religiously, and sun cream blocking UV also blocks the process of forming vitamin D. Children are starting to get rickets again!

The latest I've heard is that we need something like 15 mins a day proper exposure to sunlight (doesn't have to be full sun, just light), without protection, to get enough Vitamin D.

I think last year may have been my tipping point - far too little sunshine due to the crappy weather & too short a summer break without proper exposure to any sun.

 

[ComedyPilot]

I wonder how much skin area needs to be exposed to get enough vitamin D?
Out on the bike it is often only my face that is uncovered, walking only uncovers my face and hands.

I had a ride on the bike today, stopped for a tinkle, got the 'old man' out and within 10 seconds I got a weeks worth of Vit D exposure....