Vitamin D for Nephritis

[granola]

A few months after diagnosis of Lupus Nephritis, my Rheumi put me on mega Vitamin D and now on maintenance dose of 6000 units per day. Combines with the phosphorus and calcium somehow. I ran out of it for about a month and my labs are a little out of whack this month. Nephrology nurse practitioner said to get back on it and will check labs in another month. Just wondered if many others are on this too? what dose? I have to get 2000 unit pills from the rheumi, pharmacy only carrries lower dose and I would have to take 15 of them a day vs 3 from the rheumi. THank you for any input. Alicia (granola)

[Clare.T]

Hello Alicia

Do you mean this is the only treatment you're getting for lupus nephritis ?

Cheers
Clare

[granola]

Oh goodness, I wish! No, I've been on cytoxan, lisinopril, cell cept, prednisone and a host of other temporary drugs, it's just that I took a break from the vitamin D, and labs are a little out of whack. Hopefully it is only that combo of D, calicium, and phosphorus effecting everything. I'm just curious if many others take active vitamin D to replace what the kidney damage cannot control?? thanks for checking. Alicia style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wiggle.gif

[Lily]

Hi Granola,

If your kidneys were damaged enough that they dont convert Vitamin D to its active form and your blood levels are low then it makes sense you have to replace it.

I had it short-term when my levels were low, pre-diagnosis and pre lupus meds. Luckily over six months the levels of Vitamin D came back up and I no longer have to take it.

Its very important for lots of body systems so if for some reason you are low then its a good thing he's discovered that and continues to supplement.

Are you currently on any meds like Plaquenil or Imuran or anything to keep you Lupus in check?

love
Lily