I think it varies a bit depending on the reference range used by your lab. When I was first tested I my vitamin D level was 19 and the lab range was 30-60. Per my endocrinologist 40 may be more normal even though 30 is considered in-range.

I was already seeing an endo for thyroid stuff so they are handling my vitamin D issues also.

If I were you I'd get a copy of my lab results from the OB's office (so you know if you fall in range) and take it to my GP or PCP for a second opinion.

You are probably already getting some vitamin D in your prenatal vitamin. Although they get less vitamin D from sun exposure further north, the Canadian pediatric association recommends pregnant and lactating moms talk to their docs about taking a supplement with 2000 IU/ day. http://www.cps.ca/english/media/newsreleases/2007/vitamind.htm

HTH!

What is the normal range for vit D anyway? I got tested by my ob. When I called for the results they said my vit D level was 20. She said this was at the low end of normal and that I did not need to supplement. But by reading some of these posts, 20 seems low. I am 5.5 weeks along now and am second guessing if I should be supplementing. Unfortunately I can't see my high risk specialist until 8 weeks. I would hate to think that I could or should be doing something more right now. So what is the normal range and how low is to low. I am trusting my old ob less and less.

Here's another discussion from the Experienced forum that cites recent research into vitamin D.

Mary, I had a discussion about this with both my OB and my endo. The vitamin D deficiency is an apparent epidemic because it was not routinely checked in years past. New research put Vitamin D in the forefront of research and it trickled down to the front line health care providers. Now they they test for it, it's found that about 50% of the population is Vitamin D deficient.

So here's something I'd like to lay out on the table. Given the high incidence of Vitamin D deficiencies across the population, would it not make sense that Vitamin D deficiencies be a red flag in the research anyway? By that I mean, let's say someone is researching women with a preeclampsia. If 50% of the population in general are already deficient, then by research theory, 50% of the women involved in the study will deficient.

Vitamin D has been a buzz topic in the medicine these days. Hopefully they can design research studies that account for that confounding factor.

Hi, I posted a few times at the beginning of my second pregnancy and haven't been back for a while. I came to comment because I was reading about this issue in the August newsletter for the Preeclampsia Foundation.

This is obviously anecdotal and probably not worth a lot, but I found out I was deficient in D after I had my first baby. I developed preeclampsia (actually, HELLP) at the end of that pregnancy. I started on mega supplements of D3 (not the same as the prescription D, which is synthetic and less efficient in your body) and got my levels up into the optimal range. I continued supplementing during my second pregnancy, and just delivered a healthy girl almost a week ago -- no PE this time around.

When I found out I was deficient, I did a lot of research on Vitamin D and learned some things that might be worth sharing here:

1) D3 is for the form your body makes naturally. It is used more efficiently than the synthetic D2 (which is the form that they give in those prescriptions).
2) There is an epidemic of D deficiency in this country, and it doesn't really matter if you live in a hot, sunny place. If you do not get out in the sun without sunblock during certain hours of the day, your body will not make enough Vitamin D to keep the levels optimal.
3) Optimal levels are higher than what doctors consider acceptable. As someone else said, your level should be up around 60.
4) We need a lot more Vitamin D than is recommended or can be found in your average supplement.

I found this website to be extremely helpful to me: www.vitamindcouncil.org.

After having taken the high-dose Vit D for a while my levels came back up from 17 into the 50s range. My doctor suggested to take the regular Calcium/Vit D supplement for maintenance. I also try to be outside more often.

But thanks for suggesting the spray. It sounds like a good alternative. The pills had not side effects for me, so I did not mind taking them.

I know the search engine's been weird lately; here's another research link people posting to this thread might like to read. :)

To Sam10-my OB didn't think D was a major factor either, and didn't think it would be low, but indeed it was. Perinatologist said I was tested for all factors, but not D and my Rheumatologist also found a blood marker that indicates my blood clots faster than most. Another cause of PE.

After taking many high dose forms of Vit. D, my levels continued to drop and went from 22 before taking supplements to 17(even worse). The supplements were also making me very nauseous. I told my doctor (a Rheumatologist as I have Fibromyalgia) that we had to figure out something else to get my D up. I suggested a topical D cream as I know that D can be absorbed through the skin. She called several other professionals and found that there is a sub-lingual (under the tongue) Vitamin D spray available. It is not by prescription, it is online only. Anyway, after using it for a month or so, my levels are up into normal range of 57 with no more nausea! If you are having trouble getting your D level up, I would recommend talking to your doctor about trying the sub-lingual D spray!

After reading this I asked my PCP to test me and since living in Phoenix I thought forsure I wouldnt have a deficiency but I am. Im not starting the huge RX pills for it. I wonder how long Ive had this problem though cause I know this is the 1st time I have ever been tested for it and I had to ask to have the blood work ran. Im 26 in good shape, not over weight and live in the sunniest place in the US so I guess they just figure we dont have taht problem.

Hey- just some food for thought...

people with higher BMIs are generally d deficient because it is stored in fat cells.

Isn't a woman's BMI an indicator of her risk for PE?