This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Does anyone have either m.s symptoms or a diagnosis of m.s, who have low vitamin D? mine was low and I am undiagnosed. My vit D levels was not requested in my blood test it was found incidently. I've been reading that research has found that not only can low vit d make people higher risk of developing m.s, but in 90%of m.s suffers generally have low levels of vit D,, I found this very interesting guys.

hi and yes vit d3 is the tip of the iceberg.. you might find this interesting: http://www.thisisms.com/forum/regimens- ... c2489.html

Hello melsywooh,
Yes, vit D appears to be a key element in MS. One of the most eloquent study I read recently simply concluded that vit D level is just about the best indicator for predicting if a patient having suffered a CIS will relapse. You will find many studies on the UK MS We site at the following address:

http://www.ms-uk.org/vitaminD.

I personally have my serum vit D levels monitored and supplement with 10000 IU a week. I tried 20 000 for a while but that brought my levels too high.

Good luck.

Hi that's great info Thanks. I've had a bad week, I had one bout of optic neuritis, my left eye lost total vision, now I have the m.s walk! My legs are further apart, and my feet are dragging, and my lower legs are numb! I am due a brain MRI next week, do you think that this time the plaques will show? As my g.p doesn't know what to do as a year ago I saw Three neuros and got discharged as my last MRI was non specific

You should have your vitamin D level check. The number I have seen to aim for is 80 to 100 ng/ml. Many are taking between 5000 and 10,000 IU to reach this level. My level was 19 ng/ml when I first had it checked. After 4 months of taking 5000 IU a day and spending 20 minutes in front of a sun screen for 4 months I brought my level up to 74 ng/ml. Vitamin D is good for treating all disease. It is better at prevention of the flu than the flu shot. If you are concerned about having an autoimmune disease here is a link as to what Dr. Bergman has to say.

80-100 ng/ml converts to 200-250 nmol/L.. that's actually higher than many of us aim for.. careful to balance mineral intakes when megadosing vit d3, esp long term. and extra especially if you are starting out with the low mineral levels consistent with an average ms patient.

There are various opinions on the correct level. My belief is based on the study of young people in the subtropics who got sun exposure everyday. Their bodies had levels between 80-100 ng/ml. Maybe our bodies were designed to have that level if we have good sun exposure. Pretty sure most people with MS are taking at least 5000 IU and probably more. Best to get the vitamin D from the sun if you can. Your body will produce what it needs.

http://www.naturalnews.com/027345_Vitam ... e_sun.html

I high dosed vit d3 for years at 4000IU/d without understanding mineral balancing. gave myself a terrifying magnesium deficit that took years to correct. much more careful with d3 nowadays. certainly true that sun or dietary (eg catfish, oysters, salmon etc) are more healthful given that an individual has reliable access to one or the other.

vit d3 in finfish/shellfish
http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-015 ... 000-w.html

mmmm halibut! had it for lunch yesterday

Sorry to hear you had a problem with vitamin D but most of the people I have heard from with MS are taking anywhere from 5000IU to 10,000IU with no problem. Most studies I have seen do not suggest this as a high dose. In todays world it is hard to get the minerals you need and I try and address this problem by juicing everyday. It seems to be working for me because I am healthier than I can remember and never go to the doctor anymore for illness. It is hard to get enough vitamin D from diet alone. If we can get it from the sun that is the best. Our bodies know how much we need.