Are foot, ankle, knee and hand pains signs of vitamin D deficiency?

by Eric
(Irvine, CA, USA)

I am a 28 year old male and for the past 4 years I have struggled with foot and ankle pains that seem to stem from the joints and bones. It hurts to walk and running is completely out of the question.

I am always fatigued.

Over the past year the pain has increased to the knees and most recently the hands and fingers. It is a muscle and joint/bone pain. I feel like my active life is slowly being stripped away from me. Doctors have been baffled and had ZERO diagnosis for me. After dozens of blood work only one test seemed to bring new information. My 25-HYDROXY test gave a result of 18 ng/ml. My doctor indicated that I should increase my vitamin D intake to 1,000 IU's per day and that the pains will subside in 3 months.


Are my symptoms typical of Vitamin D deficiency? I find it hard to believe that after all these years it was a lack of 1 vitamin causing me such a painful life. I am still spending countless hours every night online trying to self diagnose myself. Your response or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Low D and aches in joints in hands, wrists and ankles

by Ginny
(Portland, OR)

Is there a link between low Vitamin D levels and stiffness and aches in hands, wrists and ankles? This symptom is mainly in the morning. I get some swelling too. I'm only 28, and I don't seem to have any other medical problems. But I am low in vitamin D and I am taking a perscription to bring up my level. I also tested negative for rheumatoid arthritis.

Thanks,
Ginny

Ankle and Wrist Pain

by Joe Sunseri
(Springfield, MO)

I was diagnosed with a vitamin d defeciency and I am taking 2000 mg of vit. D a day. But I still hurt. Hurts to walk. I am 51 male. great health other than this. What do i do?

_________________________________________

ANSWER:

Hi Joe,

You didn't leave your email address so I don't know if you'll get this. Please respond and I'll try to help you out.




Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune System Queen
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Immune System

Will Vitamin D Help the Pain in my Feet and Ankles

Could the pain (initially numbness in my feet that is now painful in both my feet and ankle areas) be caused by vitamin d deficiency?

You should know that I have been taking 100mg of dilantin (phenotoin) 2 times a day for almost 40 years and started feeling numbness in my feet about 5 years ago. A neurologist tested me for peripheral neuropathy, which came back negative.

Recently, I had severe foot and ankle pain and needed to see the doctor to see what was wrong.

I was tested at my physical for vitamin d and was told by my physician that I was deficient and should start taking vitamin d supplements at 1000 IU per day. After a while, he had me take another blood test which still showed a deficiency, so he upped the dosage to 2000 IU per day. On the third blood test, I also came in low so he upped it to 3000 IU per day. (on this third visit to the doctor, he also ordered various other tests which all came back negative).

I have recently read that various doctors prescribe 50,000 IUs of vitamin d per week for 6 to 8 weeks. Not wanting to be too aggressive and concerned about toxicity, especially because I take Phenytoin, I decided to go for 5000 IUs per day to see if there is any benefit.

I appreciate any thoughts you might have on this.


Chris