Vitamin-D fail...
So, there's been some new studies lately that many people aren't getting enough vitamin-D. It's produced by your skin in response to sunlight exposure. It helps with general maintenance of various organs. One theory as to why people have low levels is that with all the of the sunscreen people use, we don't have adequate exposure to produce the required levels.
Anyways, so the USCG clinic my dad works at has been somewhat helping with the research. Everyone there had their levels tested (I think everyone, might have only been some.) My dad's results came back as the lowest in the clinic, and he almost never uses sunscreen but it outside loads! The normal range is 30.0 to 74.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), my dad came back with a 9! (It's a blood test)
So, he's been taking supplements (10,000 units a day, the pills are 1,000 units each, so ten pills a day!) and will get it retested after awhile.
Well, that lead to the idea of maybe we should test the rest of the family. Mom is a tiny bit low, not sure about my sister, and then there's me...
I was at 19. Yes, that's better off than my dad. And yes, I do use sunscreen (vitiligo burns easy!) and I should probably spend more time outside (the weather is finally nice and I will be doing just that.) But, here's the thing, that 19 is counting the fact that I'v already been taking it as a supplement for quite a while now... meaning without the supplement I would be wicked low!
We're wondering if maybe it's genetic, since my dad (even with good/high exposure to the sun) was so low; not that I really matters. Yeah... so guess who gets to start popping more pills! *waves* If they put me on the same setup as my dad, I have to take 50 pills the first day, and 10 each day after that... "fun"
On the plus side, maybe this is why I've felt "bleh" for a while and haven't been able to figure out why! It would be fantastic if my energy and everyone comes back =D
On a totally random note: I'm making a chemise (shirt/blouse/slip) to go with my bodice for my Renaissance outfit/costume! I'll try and take a picture and post it when I'm done... I'm in serious need of posting a pic!spam of clothes...
Anyways, so the USCG clinic my dad works at has been somewhat helping with the research. Everyone there had their levels tested (I think everyone, might have only been some.) My dad's results came back as the lowest in the clinic, and he almost never uses sunscreen but it outside loads! The normal range is 30.0 to 74.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), my dad came back with a 9! (It's a blood test)
So, he's been taking supplements (10,000 units a day, the pills are 1,000 units each, so ten pills a day!) and will get it retested after awhile.
Well, that lead to the idea of maybe we should test the rest of the family. Mom is a tiny bit low, not sure about my sister, and then there's me...
I was at 19. Yes, that's better off than my dad. And yes, I do use sunscreen (vitiligo burns easy!) and I should probably spend more time outside (the weather is finally nice and I will be doing just that.) But, here's the thing, that 19 is counting the fact that I'v already been taking it as a supplement for quite a while now... meaning without the supplement I would be wicked low!
We're wondering if maybe it's genetic, since my dad (even with good/high exposure to the sun) was so low; not that I really matters. Yeah... so guess who gets to start popping more pills! *waves* If they put me on the same setup as my dad, I have to take 50 pills the first day, and 10 each day after that... "fun"
On the plus side, maybe this is why I've felt "bleh" for a while and haven't been able to figure out why! It would be fantastic if my energy and everyone comes back =D
On a totally random note: I'm making a chemise (shirt/blouse/slip) to go with my bodice for my Renaissance outfit/costume! I'll try and take a picture and post it when I'm done... I'm in serious need of posting a pic!spam of clothes...