RA, vitamin D deficiency

Hi Helen, welcome to a great place to be if not-great things are happening!

     From what I've read, low Vitamin D is very common with fibro and RA.  I have some fibro and definitely RA, but the worst effects are limited to my hands, ankles, and low bone density, approaching osteoporosis.  Ironically, my vitamin D level is not low, but I have very low bone density, despite that, and taking calcium didn't seem to help.

     I googled the subject and came across this interesting site by a place that specializes in parathyroid disorders. I don't know whether it might apply to you or not, but I do remember that parathyroid glands regulate certain things.  However, I'm not a medical professional, and you probably should check more than one source, preferably not just a medical provider but something like WebMD.  However, from the reading I've done, which is fairly extensive, it doesn't seem to be something as simple as, take more supplements.  The body is pretty complex, and the real cause may be in a process in the body rather than simply the diet.  I saw a case on the Discovery Health channel this week, which explained how the pituitary gland regulates the adrenal glands, which in turn regulate the levels of various things in the blood like calcium and potassium.  It can be very tricky to sort out.  It sounds like your doctor is referring you to the proper specialty to figure this out.

     When taking more calcium didn't help my bone density, I took calcium with vitamin D.  It still got worse, even faster.  That was before I knew I had RA.  Then I just gave it up altogether.  An alternative-med website talked about possibly too MUCH vitamin D causing some autoimmune problems, so I cut vitamin D foods out of my diet for a month and got my vitamin D tested.  It was absolutely normal.  So - that's not the immediately cause of my low bone density.  Research now shows that there is actually inflammation at the cellular level in the bones, that affects the bone density.  I don't think they know how to control that, however, and I'm not willing to take the bisphosphonates (Actonel, Boniva, etc.) because of other risks. 

     Sorry if I got a bit off track here.  Is your low D affecting your bone density?  Just curious...