Q. I have leg pain when walking and hip pain at night. I have a vitamin D level of 14. Is it too late to take vitamin D and if not how much should I take?
A. Your low vitamin D level might account for your symptoms. Vitamin D deficiency appears more common than previously believed. Many doctors prescribe 50,000 units of vitamin D once a week to correct a deficiency like yours. Here is one reader’s experience:
“For several years I suffered from sore hips, knees and BODY! I chalked it up to getting older and going through perimenopause.
“On my last trip to the doctor I told her I was only 48 years old and felt like I was 100. She tested my vitamin D and the count was 11.
“She prescribed 50,000 units once a week of Vitamin D. I took one dose and felt like a new person the next day! For the first time in years, I have NO soreness ANYWHERE!”
It’s never too late to take vitamin D. For more information about the symptoms and dangers of vitamin D deficiency and how to treat it, you may wish to listen to our interview with Dr. Michael Holick and Dr. James Dowd. Anyone who would like a CD of this one-hour discussion may send $11.99 in check or money order to Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. CD-672, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. Show #672 is also available as a podcast for $2.99 at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
