Vitamin supplements - do a blood test first?

[anonymous-user]

I am wondering about the potential benefits from taking a vitamin supplement.

I don't have any particular ailments I am looking to fix, but there have been many articles written about the benefits of vitamin D and perhaps zinc to improve one's immune system which seem to make sense, particularly now so many of us (including myself) tend to work indoors most of the time.

I like to think I eat a varied and good quality diet, so I don't think I have a particularly dietary problem.

However, I've noticed many doctors who seem professional and credible giving advice on their daily vitamin supplements which makes me wonder if I am being a little bit ignorant as to their potential benefits.

So the easy thing would be buy a pack of multi-vitamins. But wouldn't a better approach be to take a blood test where I can understand my current vitamin and nutrients levels, and look to identify if I have any specific shortfalls. I can then either address the shortfall via a change in diet or via a specific tablet.

I would also need to take a subsequent blood test so I can gauge the effect of any change. But that would seem to be a better approach to addressing what, if anything, my body is missing out on.

I haven't spoken to my GP but I would imagine a blood test without a specific problem might not be available on the NHS, so I could get a test privately I presume.

Does anyone know here know more about this topic and can point me in the right direction please?

[paulyv]

I can't give you advice on whether to do this or not, and I am sure fellow posters will be able to advise, but I personally feel it's good to know facts about your own body without becoming paranoid about matters. May be worth getting the full 'MOT' at the same time, as it were. If you're concerned or mindful of your vitamin levels it would follow that you could be mindful of other things that might be worth keeping an eye on, depending on your age of course.

Any private surgery will be happy to take your blood and send it off to a lab. You often get the results the next day. I have used 'London Doctors Clinic' a few times for private care and have found them to be efficient though I suspect most private places are of equal quality for something basic like this as the samples get sent off to a third party lab in any case.

https://www.londondoctorsclinic.co.uk/services/blo...

There seems to be a lot of opinion one way or the other about the power of a vitamin tablet.

Edited by paulyv on Thursday 23 April 15:10

[V8covin]

Vitamin D is more like a hormone than a conventional vitamin.
It's crucial to your health.....you can be deficient without having any outward symptoms..... or be like me and have lots of symptoms.
I'm sure there are private practices that will test you..... it's only a blood test after all

[Scabutz]

You can get finger prick tests on line for Vit D. About 30 quid. Medichecks is one.

They do others to test for lots of things.

Vit D is different than vits B and C in that its fat soluble and it is possible to build up too much. So worth a test before you start mainlining supplements.

[grumbledoak]

I do Medichecks directly once a year,
https://medichecks.com/collections/mens-health
just pay online and make an appointment. Results by email.

The first said I was Vitamin D deficient so I take one a day and now I'm in range.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks guys, some really good useful information there.

[gregs656]

The NHS suggest everyone should consider taking a 10 microgram supplement, particularly between October and April.

Info here - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-g...

I take it in a multivitamin and I would say I have noticed an improvement in my mood in the winter.

[elise2000]

V8covin said:

Vitamin D is more like a hormone than a conventional vitamin.
It's crucial to your health.....you can be deficient without having any outward symptoms..... or be like me and have lots of symptoms.
I'm sure there are private practices that will test you..... it's only a blood test after all

Agreed. I went to the doctors back in feb with a lot of symptoms. Blood test done and a vitamin d deficiency came back. 6 weeks of once a week strong tablets, followed by weaker tablets daily after that and I’m a lot better.

What were your symptoms if you don’t mind me asking?

[V8covin]

elise2000 said:

Agreed. I went to the doctors back in feb with a lot of symptoms. Blood test done and a vitamin d deficiency came back. 6 weeks of once a week strong tablets, followed by weaker tablets daily after that and I’m a lot better.

What were your symptoms if you don’t mind me asking?

Pains in my bones to start with that developed into muscle weakness, fatigue and depression....this was from November last year.Just getting out of bed was a strain and it even affected how I walked, I was like an arthritic pensioner
I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate about a year earlier and the symptoms for that worsened at the same time forcing me to increase my medication.
After I was diagnosed with vit d deficiency..... dangerously low according to my doctor...... I spent 7 weeks on a high dosage and have subsequently been taking a daily supplement from the supermarket.
All the symptoms have now gone and I have gone back to my previous levels of medication for the prostate.
There have been some studies done that vit d deficiency can cause prostate enlargement which isn't widely known.
I now take every opportunity to get some sun every day if possible

[elise2000]

V8covin said:

Pains in my bones to start with that developed into muscle weakness, fatigue and depression....this was from November last year.Just getting out of bed was a strain and it even affected how I walked, I was like an arthritic pensioner
I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate about a year earlier and the symptoms for that worsened at the same time forcing me to increase my medication.
After I was diagnosed with vit d deficiency..... dangerously low according to my doctor...... I spent 7 weeks on a high dosage and have subsequently been taking a daily supplement from the supermarket.
All the symptoms have now gone and I have gone back to my previous levels of medication for the prostate.
There have been some studies done that vit d deficiency can cause prostate enlargement which isn't widely known.
I now take every opportunity to get some sun every day if possible

Thanks for sharing. I had various unexplained aches, pins and needles in hands and feet, and generally feeling out of sorts.

[V8covin]

elise2000 said:

Thanks for sharing. I had various unexplained aches, pins and needles in hands and feet, and generally feeling out of sorts.

My bone pain was in the ribs and chest..... I had ecg and x-rays before I was sent for blood tests.I really was very unwell.
It affects people in different ways.
I'd recommend everyone take a D supplement during the winter months at least and for all people who don't go outside much

[elise2000]

V8covin said:

My bone pain was in the ribs and chest..... I had ecg and x-rays before I was sent for blood tests.I really was very unwell.
It affects people in different ways.
I'd recommend everyone take a D supplement during the winter months at least and for all people who don't go outside much

Glad you’ve got it under control now.

I never considered that barely leaving the house/office in the week could affect health so much!

[V8covin]

elise2000 said:

Glad you’ve got it under control now.

I never considered that barely leaving the house/office in the week could affect health so much!

It's my belief now that Seasonal Affective Disorder is a result of vitamin D deficiency

[paulyv]

Thanks to our beautiful climate and broad lifestyle it's the case that most of the UK is deficient in Vitamin D for much of the year. Get a test by all means, but don't feel you're unusual if deficient.

[Scabutz]

paulyv said:

Thanks to our beautiful climate and broad lifestyle it's the case that most of the UK is deficient in Vitamin D for much of the year. Get a test by all means, but don't feel you're unusual if deficient.

What my GP said. She said your Vit D is low, I could have told you that by looking at you. Not because I looked odd but just because most people in the UK are. I spend most of the day indoors and when I do go out in the summer sun for an length of time it's with sunscreen.