Twice in last year my vitamin D has been severly low. Is this common with lupus?

My mom has lupus, I had an ana test done in 2006 but I am wondering if the low D is a clue of lupus?

I have had a few raised red bumps come up on my face in the last month. They won't go away.

Many people with SLE may have low vitamin D levels in it is because we avoid the sun. Are you getting out in the sun, drinking milk or taking supplements? Any of these will help to raise your vitamin D levels.

Also, Lupus can not be diagnosed with just an ana test. It takes looking at any symptoms you might have and putting everything together, like a puzzle.

Alison

I am going to request to see a rheumotologist. With my mom having SLE and my vitamin d being severly defiecient 2x in a year, I think a rheumy needs to do more tests.

A Rheumy is the right Dr to diagnose Lupus, correct?

You should see a Rheumy. Even then you need to find one that can really work with you. They need to really listen to you. In my opinion, some doctors rely to much on blood tests. Good luck.

Alison

I am on an HMO and there is only one rheumy in their whole system where I live. After years of blood tests that show SLE lupus and doctors seeing the malar lupus rush on my face, the first time I saw this HMO rheumy he announced I don't have lupus at all, but wants me to check in every three months and he took me off my lupus medication. In a little over a month I had a lupus flare with fever, malar lupus rash on the face and I hurt so much I couldn't get into a doctor. I am so tired of all this. In writing I requested copies from the HMO file room of the blood test results and the HMO provided some notes, but no blood test results--I go through this getting records from them.

So I know I had a lupus flare and whatever that Rheumy writes down is just worthless as far as I am concerned.

I have a pacemaker, from reading the pacemaker club messages, I ask for a print out each time they read my pacemaker.

You can get copies of all your records, sign a form. You may have to pay for the copies of records, but I have never paid for copies of my blood test results.

go back to the Dr you had (family Dr) to get lupus meds. When you ask for copies of your records and all lab tests, they may get better. If he doesn't, call the HMO and tell them your health is detoriating without the lupus meds and you need a second opinion.

lets us know how you are doing.

It is true that a lot of people with Lupus have low Vitamin D, but many people in the general population do too. It's just not tested as much in people who don't have Lupus, so they don't catch it. It's very common in people who don't get out in the sun, Lupus or not.

My D was low too and I had to start high dose Vitamin D. 50,000 IU's once a week. That really surprised me because I had been taking a daily supplement. I guess it wasn't enough.

So true that lupus patients tend to avoid the sun and this most likely contributes to a vit D deficiency. However, recent studies have shown that vitamin D is chronically low in a large percentage of patients with autoimmune disorders,especially lupus. It is generally treated with a course of high dose vit D (50,000U/wk for 8 weeks) followed by a daily maintenance dose of 800U.

I have lupus, with bad fibromyalgia and migraines, etc etc... I had first tried just taking a larger daily dose of 2,000U/day (actually the FDA is in the process of raising the level of RDA) . Did that for nearly a year. My vit D levels rose only marginally, so then I started the high dose. I actually have been feeling better since.

Good luck!