Why vitamins with vitamin D are a must: Vitamin D deficiency is so common GPs won’t test for it!

When PatchWorks founder Sadie visited her GP recently and asked for her vitamin D levels to be checked, the Dr had a surprising answer. In most circumstances, labs are now no longer testing for D deficiency. Why? Because pretty much everyone's test comes back subpar! Yes, below optimal D levels are now so prevalent the NHS has decided it's a waste of resources to test, unless a consultant requests it, or you’re living with a disease where your D levels need to be monitored.. But what does this mean for you? And if you've been thinking about taking vitamins with vitamin d, like our vitamin D3 patches, is this the sign you've been waiting for?

The NHS recommends taking vitamins with vitamin d for certain groups, does this mean everyone else is OK?

Government research suggests as many as 1 in 6 UK adults and 20% of children aren't getting enough vitamin D, but it seems the true picture might be even worse. Perhaps why the government launched a review last year to try and get to the bottom of why so many of us are D deficient.

Current NHS guidance suggests people at greater risk of developing a D deficiency (young children, pregnant women, and BAME groups) should take vitamins with vitamin d all year round. But many Drs and experts believe this advice is outdated and EVERYONE in the UK should be topping up all year round.

Why do so many people in the UK have D3 deficiency?

First up, the not so balmy UK climate. Your body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors, but the sunlight needs to be reasonably strong. This is why the NHS suggests most people should supplement with D between September and April. That said, these last few soggy summers sunlight has been in short supply. This means people get outside less and wear more clothes, limiting how much vitamin D their bodies can make.

Vitamin D is also very hard to come by in your diet, unless you're a big fan of oily fish, liver, or egg yolks. With an estimated 3.1 million vegetarians and 2.5 million vegans in the UK, there are a lot of people who need to think about supplementing. Including anyone with inflammatory bowel disease, which can also affect your ability to absorb D from your food. If this is you, when you’re choosing between vitamins with vitamin d, it’s better to opt for a patch rather than a tablet because the nutrients bypass your gut and go straight into your bloodstream.

What happens if you don't get enough vitamin D?

If you are low on vitamin D, you're putting yourself at risk of developing weak bones (read our blogs on osteoporosis and osteopenia to find out more about this) and teeth. Which can lead to bone pain, cavities, and put you at a greater risk of breaking a bone. Vitamin D is also essential to keep muscle function and your immune system in top form. So you can see why taking vitamins with vitamin d like our handy D3/Calcium patch is a must to stay fit and well.

If you can't get a test for low D, what symptoms could mean you need a vitamin d supplement?

Not getting enough vitamin D often doesn't present any symptoms, but you might experience pain in your muscles and bones, or find even the smallest bumps and knocks have become incredibly painful. It's also common to have a tingly,“pins-and-needles” sensation in your hands or feet, or feel weakness in the muscles of body parts near your trunk, like upper arms, or thighs. Fractures and muscle twitches, tremors, and spasms could also be signs you should think about taking vitamins with vitamin d. The D3/Calcium patch is one of the easiest and and most effective ways to do this.

To find out which type of vitamin D supplement is most effective, read part 2 of the blog here.