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by Mydayyy 1569 days ago
It's funny you say that. I just went through that process and I was immensely annoyed at our healthcare system.

I've been suspecting low vitamin D for my quite some time. Felt very lethargic, and on the weekend without setting an alarm I just straight up slept 15+ hours. (and a few other issues, which I am not sure whether they are related to that, time will tell)

I've been complaining about that for some time, even mentioned the possibility of a deficit to my doctor, but he never agreed to look into that direction.

I finally went around my doctor and got a blood drawn and sent to a lab for a vitamin D test, and the results were what I expected: 4ng/ml (which is extremely low).

I went to my doctor with those results, they just told me to "go out more".

I called two other offices, both of which didnt take me as a patient and one even just told me to look at the internet.

I was infuriated by all those three offices. After some research I now ordered supplements myself and made a treatment plan and I am planning to get another blood test in 2 months to check in on my levels and adjust accordingly.

3 comments

This seems more like an issue where the Dr was giving you correct advice but you weren't hearing what you wanted to hear?

Why would you infuriated by a Dr telling you to go outside more to increase Vitamin? That's exactly what they should be suggesting in the first instance.

Well, first of all it is early march and the sun is at an too low angle.

Secondly I working from home for over 2 years now, and during most months of the year it is already dark outside when I am done with work.

Thirdly, I already have symptoms which correlate to a deficit, so the doctor not even wanting to look into it baffled me. And well, I never managed to talk to a doctor with my actual test results, but from looking at papers/official resources, 4ng/ml seems to be extremely low as a vitamin d level.

Well in the end I obviously don't know if those symptoms are the result of my vitamin d deficit, but time will tell.

> I've been complaining about that for some time, even mentioned the possibility of a deficit to my doctor, but he never agreed to look into that direction.

Working your network to find a better primary care physician in your insurer’s network (blind change tends to have poor results) may be worthwhile, but, yeah, this is a way too common problem.

You don't need a doctor's permission to get your blood results. Many of the lab sites will do it. You have interpret on your own though.