Link found between vitamin D and blood stem cells

Researchers in Japan found that vitamin D influences blood stem cells in the bone marrow. Blood stem cells give rise to platelets, white and red blood cells. According to the abstract, "Collectively, our results demonstrate a novel function of active vitamin D3 as a critical mediator of neuronal control of HSPC [hematapoietic stem /progenitor cells] trafficking and how it contributes to brain-bone-blood integration in an unanticipated way distinct from other classical CRHs [calcium regulating hormones].

Some years ago we did a very quick and informal poll to see if people felt their platelets improved if they spent more time in the sun. We had a few positive replies. Maybe time to check your vitamin D levels and enjoy the summer sun.

Joan

PS...signing off from the EHA reports. Tapas time.

Well, my platelets were stuck at 16 for 3 weeks. I started taking 1500 mg vitamin C and they shot up to 39 the following week. My Doctor added Vitamin D to my regimen. Unfortunately I got a sorethroat before my next appointment and platelets dropped to 12K. I don't know if the Vitamin D caused the drop or the sore throat. I do think vitamins have a part to play in the healing of this disease

It will be interesting to see where the research leads. I know that most endocrynologists are now testing all thier diabetes patients since there seems to be a relationship for diabetes and low Vit D. My blood work last fall showed a very low level of vitamin D and I did some research that I posted on the old board. After 8 weeks on a once a week dose of 50,000 units, it improved some and they cut my fequency down. However, the last test was really low again, so I'm back up to weekly prescription strength dose.

Even our own newletter had noted some research: Platelet e-news – July 22, 2009
pdsa.org/assets/e_news/2009/july-22.htm

Mounting Evidence for Vitamin D as an Environmental Factor Affecting Autoimmune Disease Prevalence Clinical data confirming the connection between vitamin D and autoimmunity are lacking. New data in large prospective studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation reduces the incidence of RA, IDDM, and MS. Patients with MS, IDDM, RA, or IBD www.ebmonline.org/cgi/content/full/229/11/1136#SEC3

GrassrootsHealth is the founder of D*action, an international public health project whose goal is to solve the vitamin D deficiency epidemic. GrassrootsHealth and D*action work with over 30 scientists, institutions and individuals committed to educate, test, and study vitamin D levels worldwide www.grassrootshealth.net/
Several interesting videos from their seminars www.ucsd.tv/series/index.aspx?show=show&seriesnumber=520

Vitamin the alternative hypothesis Autoimmun Rev. 2009 Jul;8(:639-44. Epub 2009 Feb 12. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19393200 by increasing the level of dietary supplementation stifles rather than activates genetic transcription and immune function. bacteriality.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Albert_IOM_Speech_080409.pdf

Same here - can't get the D level up even with high dose prescription D. It hasn't affected my platelet count though.

I have been taking oral Vitamin D and Calcium with Vitamin D for over a year and it made no difference to my platelet count it is still too low.

Hi Joan,

Last year, before ITP diagnosis, my Vitamin D level was low. Feb/2009 it was 26. I increased my intake to 2,000IU and was retested in Aug/2009. This was before I was working and I spent many hours in the sun gardening. In August my number did not change at all, however my yard looked great!

This last March I had a platelet crash and was hospitalized. Out of the blue. I posted some information about my experience in newly diagnosed section if you were interested in what has transpired since the scare of knowing I have ITP now. Since my last post, I am off prednisone and continuing with the pulse therapy treatments. I'm on treatment #4 right now; two more to go. My platelets have not gone lower than 174,000 since treatments began working, however I am only going on two months since crash.

Recently I was tested again to check my Vit D level. I am anxious to know where it is now.(still waiting for the results) I have added Calium Citrate to my supplements and that had an additional 600 IU of Vit D, so days I take 2x daily I get the additional 1200iu's.

Just for additional information, I also take 400 mg of generic plaqeunil daily for my autoimmune condition Sjogren's. Because I have this and because of my labs, my hematologist is sure my ITP was caused by autoimmune response vs. problem in bone marrow and the production of the platelets. My spleen was killing them off and got too good at it by the time I was hospitalized.

A friend of mine who is a nurse practitioner has always said that mega doses of Vit D is beneficial for those of us with autoimmune problems. She takes 6 or 7 thousand IU's daily. I never heard of anyone taking 50,000 like someone mentioned here in your responses. It probably works for some, I know the person that responded to your message said even with that mega dose, she did not respond. We all have to try whatever we can sometimes to get to where we need to be You have to think that maybe some of us don't absorb Vit D for some unknown reason.

Keep us informed with any other good news about the benefits of this supplement! I find myself always wondering if this vitamin is somehow a piece of the puzzle; just what kind of a role it might play in trying to keep these conditions in a safe zone.

Lori

Lori:

50,000 IU's is a prescription dose. It is taken once a week for 6 to 12 weeks. I'm on my second round of it because my D level is still low.

Something weird is going on with vitamin D and autoimmune diseases. I'm hearing about people with all sorts of different illnesses coming up low on D, and stories that high doses don't make a difference, the levels stay low. I'm wondering about cause and effect and whether low D is causing problems or is the effect of problems, or whether D contributes to problems... my mom (no particular diseases) was told by her dr. to cut back on D, she just takes a normal amount of calcium with D and was told to take half plain calcium and half D calcium - they didn't even check her levels, just said this was general advice. I think it had to do with ? blood pressure? I think something more complicated is going on with ITP, lupus, etc. and vitamin D. And it doesn't seem like pouring in more D is the answer for many of us.
Erica

Erica:

You could be right. From what I've read, they really don't know if a person acquires an autoimmune disorder because the D is low, or if the D is low because of the autoimmune disorder. I've read a few recent articles that stated that taking D could actually make things worse.

However, the jury is still out on that and for now, I'm concerned about bone and muscle loss due to constant steroid use.

I think your Mom should have had her levels tested first, at least. That seems like blind advice.

Ive been taking 2,000-6,000IUs daily of Vitamin D and my platelet count doesn't seem to be affected but neither does my Vit D level. I got a 22 on the first vit d test they did and a 30 on the next but seeing as I have been taking it for months now I'd hoped it would go a LITTLE higher than that.

In fact, since I've started taking it daily I seem to feel even more tired. I've been feeling about half asleep for about two months now. Not even my rx adderall helps much. My doctor is starting to take me seriously now because the second to last time I was in the office, I saw the nurse practioner (as usual) and I could barely stay awake during the appointment. Had to lie down. This week the doctor himself came into the room which he has never done (the NP always sees me not him) and he seemed pretty concerned.

However, my platelet count is at 150 which is actually great. Better than 117 and finally in the normal range. Well...barely but trying to be positive.

How about a thyroid check?
Erica