In my recent post about vitamin D deficiency, I briefly mentioned the role of vitamin D deficiency in resistant hypertension and chronic kidney disease. I will tell you everything you need to know including why you should consider it and the recommended dose.
Vitamin D deficiency INFLUENCES the progression of hypertension to resistant hypertension and the progression of chronic kidney disease. This is because vitamin D affects the renin angiotensin aldosterome system and can decrease the production of renin. Therefore, vitamin D decreases blood pressure.
Renin is an enzyme that is released by your kidneys to regulate your blood pressure. It controls your blood volume, and therefore, it controls your level of blood pressure.
More on this in up coming posts.
Vitamin D also decreased protein in your urine.
This is important to prevent kidney disease and to prevent any further kidney disease if you have chronic kidney disease.
Vitamin D deficiency also causes a increase in two-year mortality, cardiovascular mortality, stroke, and infectious cause mortality. This just means that if you replenish your vitamin D to an optimal level, you are less likely to have these problems.
Recommended Blood Testing
The 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is the blood test . Ask your health care provider to test your vitamin D level. It is usually paid for by most health insurances.
A follow up test is recommended after 6 months until optimal levels are reached. Then, you can check with your health care provider to determine how often to monitor. But do yourself a favor and monitor this level at least yearly.
Recommended Dose
According to the National Kidney Foundation Guidelines, vitamin D supplementation is recommended for people with vitamin D deficiency. This include people who have chronic kidney disease (nondialysis-dependent, hemodialysis dependent, on peritoneal dialysis or people who have a renal transplant).
Severe vitamin D deficiency is indicated if your 25(OH)D blood test is less than 5 ng/ml. A dose of 50,000 IU is recommended for 12 weeks. Then, 50,000 IU monthly for 6 months. Many people take vitamin D in divided doses every day to equal the weekly dose. In general, the most effective way to take vitamin D3 is 2000-5000 IUs daily in the mornings with your first meal. Avoid taking vitamin D3 at night because it could interrupt your sleep causing you to wake up through the night. Taking vitamin D3 at night could cause you to have difficulty getting to sleep as well.
For mild deficiency the level is 5-15 ng/ml, and the dose is 50,000 IU for 4 weeks, then 50,000 IU monthly for 6 months. Vitamin D insufficiency is classified as a 16-30 ng/ml and 50000 IU should be taken every month. Ask your doctor which DOSE is right for you.
Research has shown that supplementing with over the counter D3 (1,25, Dihydroxy vitamin D) also decreases BLOOD PRESSURE, protein in your urine. D3 decreases growth factor beta which causes kidney fibrosis or scaring in the kidneys in nonsmokers.
Vitamin D doses are the same for both types of vitamin D supplements. However, you need a prescription for the 25(OH)D which is D2. But the D3 (1,25, Dihydroxy vitamin D) can be purchased over the counter at any drug store. I use several different brands of D3 but the one I like the best can be found at this link.
What’s your vitamin D level? Let me know in the comments below and don’t forget to subscribe so you will get all new posts.
Stay tuned to this post for more information about this very important topic.
