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I got my labs back from an Independent lab.
Vit. D 25-Hydroxy 74.3 (30.0 - 100.0) Taking 8000 IU in divided doses
Magnesium RBC test 5.9 (4.2 - 6.8) Taking 700 Drs best magnesium Chelated.
Do I back off a little of the Magnesium and Vit d?
Many thanks to Tex and Gabes and the rest that keep the flow of information coming!
Since you live in CA you probably get some vitamin D from the sun. You can probably safely reduce your dose to 5,000–6,000 IU. I wouldn't go much lower though because a study of UC patients was just released this month that shows that allowing one's serum level of vitamin D to drop below 35 ng/mL increases the risk of a relapse.
Optimizing magnesium is tricky because even if that blood test result is accurate, there's no way of knowing whether it is optimal for you. Most such tests have a serious problem — they are based on a "normal" range, meaning that most people in the general population have serum values that fall within this arbitrary range. But how does one assign credibility to a "normal" range when research shows that most people in the general population are magnesium deficient? We have no way of knowing if "normal" test ranges have any correlation whatsoever with "optimal" ranges.
IOW, just because most people in the general population are magnesium deficient does that mean that everyone should try to emulate that same condition? I don't think so. But that's a common fallacy that's built into many blood tests.
That said, IMO there's not much advantage to taking large amounts of magnesium supplements because there is a limit to how much we can absorb and utilize. Excess amounts merely serve to add to the kidneys' work load. I took 700 mg for a while (when I was severely deficient), but after a few weeks I backed off to 600 and then eventually to 500 mg per day.
The critical symptoms (tachycardia, anxiety, insulin resistance, etc.) resolved within a few days, but it took much longer to build up my reserves. It took me probably 4 to 6 months to get my energy back after I boosted my magnesium intake. But it took me about a year before everything reached homeostasis. I'm basing that on my blood pressure. IOW after about a year I had to stop using a blood pressure medication because my BP was too low when I took a BP pill.
Let your body be your guide. If I had severe magnesium deficiency symptoms, then I would stick with a high dose for a while until the symptoms had pretty much diminished and then I would step down the dose. If the symptoms return, that may be a sign that the reduced dose is insufficient. As Gabes says, it can take a long time to correct a magnesium deficiency, but of course there's little point in taking more than is needed.
You're very welcome, and I hope that this is helpful.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thanks Tex, for that swift reply. I will dial it back on the vit D and Mag. and see how I feel.
The heat and humidity bugging me too! I stay indoors as much as I can.
Thank you for sharing your labs and questions, Janie. Very good info. Thank you, Tex, for your wisdom regarding magnesium. Before MC, I never had a low magnesium lab; during initial flare and before being diagnosed, I was sent to the ER 3 times, and each time they infused me with magnesium (which hurts, BTW!) It was so surprising to me to learn I couldn't keep "normal" (as Tex states, whatever that means!) magnesium levels, and in fact, that even in a day, and after being infused, the next day I would be too low again. Now I take the transdermal magnesium, 2x a day, and it's good to know that it may be quite awhile before my levels stabilize. Malabsorption is a real issue for me and no doubt impacts not only nutrients from food, but supplements (and how, when, how much, and which ones one takes).
Would love to hear an update how you're doing in the near future, Janie!
Thanks Holly,
I am still tweaking the Magnesium. I have to use sun screen in so cal. due to pre skin cancers. So I only went down 1000IU in the Vit D.
I mostly have trouble with panic and trying to relax and let go of the day. That being said I have PTSD from a blood loss during surgery so it has reared its ugly head with the MC. I have Xanax if it becomes too much but only take 1/4 to 1/2 tab.
I hope you heal well and enjoy this group full of wonderful knowledgeable people.
Hi Janie! You're (we're) not alone!! BTW, I grew up in southern CA, Playa del Rey. I too have anxiety and PTSD. MC may be part cause/part effect for people like us! I take Xanax as needed also. For me it's a tool in my toolbox (as others here have stated about certain meds, foods, recipes, routines, etc.) that helps when needed.
Regarding the magnesium, I'm still tweaking too. I "muscle test" my supplements (and foods), and it's especially helpful with the topical magnesium as the dosage can be adjusted each time you take it.
I hope you heal well also, Janie, and yes, I am so enjoying and appreciative of this awesome group of people! As Tex has said many times, no one can understand this who hasn't had it. The support here is just amazing.
