Vitamin D

From being on Marshall Protocol treatment. I found out that Vitamin D is a seco-steroid. It works similar as any other corticosteroid such as prednisone which suppresses your immune system from killing pathogens or platelets. The only difference is Vitamin D is allot safer than prednisone. So might as well try large doses of vitamin d which is also allot cheaper. Or stay in the sun allot. Change your diet to fish, mushrooms, eggs which is high in vit d.

Interesting idea except that scientists now believe that vitamin D is needed to activate the T cells of the immune system. This would mean that maybe less D is good rather than more for the overactive immune system. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100307215534.htm

It's a interesting topic. And the hot thing for the last 3-4 years especially around the autoimmune medical community. It's become a standard test for endochronoligist for all people with diabetes.

1. I've been on prescription strenth 50,000 units one a week for 18 months, and I'm just barely above normal. Could be coinsidence, but I've been able to go several weeks longer between my Winrho treatments, since my levels came up.

2. I did some research when I was first diagnosed as being very low. There is a study that shows that when Finland reduced their recommended daily dose for infants that 15 to 18 years later they had a significant rise in the adolesant diabetes rates. There is another therory that goes somthing like as Vit D reduced the inflamation it allows the autoimmune disorders to advance.

3. At this point with a dairy allergy and a grandmother who had oesto, knee replacement, hip replacement, stress fractures of the spine, I'm going with taking it.

4. Also too high a level is toxic, so I'd have your level checked before taking too high a dose.

Interesting links in a previous discussion.
www.pdsa.org/forum/6-general-itp-discussion/5492-link-found-between-vitamin-d-and-blood-stem-cells.html#5516

martini I don't think anyone should tell anyone to take large doses of anything!

When in doubt check it out - one shouldn't just take large doses of something without knowing if they need it!

www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d-toxicity/AN02008

Well....I'd have to recommend having your D level tested before taking large doses. Vitamin D can be toxic if taken when not needed. You'd have to take an awful lot of OTC's though to get a large dose.

I've been on 50,000 IU's (prescription) once a week since January because I do have a deficiency. I am being monitored frequently. I wouldn't say that Vitamin D works the same way steroids do. If it did, I'd be able to stop taking Prednisone.

Ann wrote: Interesting idea except that scientists now believe that vitamin D is needed to activate the T cells of the immune system. This would mean that maybe less D is good rather than more for the overactive immune system. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100307215534.htm

There are different forms of vitamin D. The one being sold in stores is called 25-d Calcifediol, the one used to activate T cells is the active form 1,25-d Calcitriol. While the first suppresses the immune system the other one activates it. 1,25-D is produced by the body it self. Less of the active form would be good for an over reactive immune system, that's right.

Any way, I wouldn't base my decisions just on one study. There are 100's conflicting studies about Vit D. I'd say there is a new Vitamin D study published weekly or if not more frequently.

Sandi,

You are right, not all steroids work the same.

I'm not saying vitamin d is good, but it is better then taking prednisone. Prednisone has more side effects, and I bet its allot stronger. But I am saying you should first start with Vit D to slow down over reactive system so that you can use smaller amounts of the hard core steroids such as prednisone.

Melinda wrote: martini I don't think anyone should tell anyone to take large doses of anything!

When in doubt check it out - one shouldn't just take large doses of something without knowing if they need it!

www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d-toxicity/AN02008

That's correct I'm sorry, you should always check with your doctor first.