Q. A couple weeks ago, my husband saw his endocrinologist and the doctor ordered a test of his vitamin D level. It was very low, so my husband was put on 2000 units per day.
My husband has been having a lot of pain in his shoulder with a limited range of motion. An orthopedic surgeon told him that he had a tear in his rotator cuff, and that the only option is surgery.
In less than a week and a half on the vitamin D supplement, he has NO pain and FULL range of motion. This is like a miracle! I think we need a second opinion on that surgery.
A. A second opinion might be wise. Rheumatologists have been reporting that vitamin D deficiency can result in significant joint pain, stiffness and fatigue. Correcting the deficiency often cures these problems, although it won’t repair a torn rotator cuff.
In many parts of the U.S., low vitamin D levels are common during the winter because of the lack of sun exposure. It doesn’t take much time in the sun for skin to make vitamin D, but in cold weather that is not practical.
