low vitamin D linked to preeclampsia

[alviarin]

"Vitamin D deficiency early in pregnancy is associated with a five-fold increased risk of preeclampsia, according to a study from the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences reported this week in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070907102114.htm

[leftcoastgirl]

Thanks for sharing. I've been taking a calcium plus vitamin D supplement since I found out I was pregnant.

[rsgeller]

I just read that myself and was going to post something...thanks for doing that! I also read that pregnant women should have 1,000 IUs to make a dent in increasing our Vitamin D levels. It said that prenatals normally only contain 200-400 IUs. Even though I'm not pregnant again (yet), I plan on taking 1,000 IUs.

[caryn]

I don't have access to the full-text yet, but I have this quote:

"If our results are confirmed by others, they suggest that pre-eclampsia may be added to the growing list of adverse health consequences of maternal vitamin D deficiency," say the researchers.

"Vitamin D supplementation in early pregnancy should be explored as a safe and effective means of preventing pre-eclampsia and promoting neonatal well-being."

However, as always I have to remind everyone not to experiment on themselves. Researchers thought antioxidants would probably work, and instead they made it worse.[xx(] Ask your care providers and make sure they know what you're taking!

[alviarin]

After reading this I have been considering getting my vitamin D levels tested (something anyone can do who is considering supplementing). I wouldn't want to exceed the RDA w/o testing and a doctor's supervision since too much vit. D can be toxic.

I am overweight and I am on medication for hypothyroidism and I sunburn easily so I always slather on the sunblock. I have read that obesity and hypothyroidism and constant sunblock use can all cause low vitamin D levels. And even that vitamin D may be low in those with metabolic syndrome X.

Since obesity and thyroid disorders and blood sugar problems are also risk factors for pre-eclampsia I have to wonder if the low vit. D levels in this study are co-incidental to pre-eclampsia, and not causal.

Wouldn't it be great if vit. D served as a preventative though?

[caryn]

I was living in Phoenix when I got PE, no obesity or PCOS or thyroid problems. However, I do have psoriasis, which has something or other to do with lipid metabolism and vitamin D.

It'll be interesting to watch.

[alviarin]

I've also read some speculation about low vitamin D levels possibly contributing to development of autoimmune disorders.

My mom has psoriasis also, but it only flares up when her thyroid levels are wonky. (There are all sorts of fun autoimmune disorders in my family tree).

[sckitzo]

This kinda worries me. I am not overweight, in fact alittle underweight and no known blood/autoimmune/thyroid/Pcos. I sun tan all the time, even while pregnant, took procription prenatals, and calcium with vit D and I still got PE severely twice. I should get my levels tested just to see.

[heather100]

Very interesting. 5 fold increase is tremendous but the sample size in this study (only 55 woman with pre-e) seems very low to me.

Either way, I guess I'm glad I've been taking Caltrate that has calcium and vitamin D in it since before even TTC. My OB said it couldn't hurt to take it-but of course each woman has to check with their own doc.

[caryn]

quote:

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Originally posted by Caryn

I don't have access to the full-text yet

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Heh, yes I do. It's a new press release but the study was published three months ago: http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22897