Get Tested For Psoriasis & Vitamin D Deficiency

Smart Psoriasis Diet Plan Step 1

You must get tested to see if you are vitamin d deficient

The Science behind Vitamin D Deficiency and Psoriasis

Vitamin D is associated to the improvement of different health alterations of the body by working on the regulation of cellular growth and immune response empowerment.

Since psoriasis is mainly characterized by the abnormal growth of skin cells, researchers conducted studies to find out if Vitamin D supplementation does affect psoriasis.

In Japan (British Journal of Dermatology, Oct. 1986), researchers conducted a Vitamin D and psoriasis trial to 19 affected individuals, the results yielded that within 3 weeks, 16 out of 19 or about 85% of the subject reported significant improvement on their condition.

The psoriatic plaques dramatically loosened up, became thinner and less scaly. The reason for this, as explained by medical experts:

Vitamin D is scientifically considered to affect cell growth. With the right level of this vitamin, cellular growth is controlled causing the abnormal speed of cellular growth of psoriatic patient to stabilize.
Vitamin D is known to affect the immune system, and because psoriasis is an act of imbalanced immune system function, it could be that vitamin D is shifting the balance in a good way.

How to Test Psoriasis and Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D levels can only be accurately measured by drawing your blood by you (In-home test kit) or a healthcare practitioner in a medical testing facility. The blood examination that you need is called a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test.

Ways to get your Vitamin D levels checked

At your doctor’s clinic – you can directly ask your doctor to order a laboratory evaluation to assess your levels. There is another type of test to measure your vitamin D (1,25 (OH) 2D), but the recommended and accurate one that will tell you if your level is adequate is 25-hydroxy vitamin D test.
Online laboratory website – In the United Kingdom and the United states, websites offer diagnostic examinations where you can have the procedure straight in a laboratory clinic without requiring your doctor’s order. You can sign-up through their sites and be scheduled on when to go to their testing facility.
In-home test kits – these kits are ordered online or on other accredited medical facility, and are sent to your doorsteps. In this way, you will take your blood by pricking on your fingers and placing drops of blood in a blotter paper, then you’ll send the paper to a laboratory to be tested.

Understanding your Vitamin D test results so you can treat your psoriasis

Understanding the results of your vitamin D level test is important to know whether you’re getting too little or too much, and what action you might need to take. When you get your test results you will see units of ng/ml that is used universally around the world.

Results and Interpretation (Vitamin D council)

Your level is between 0 – 10ng/ml – Severely Deficient

This means that your levels are way too low and needs immediate supplementation. In this range, you may experience decrease in mobility and muscle strength. Your health is at risk and needs immediate medical attention.

Your level is between 10 – 20ng/ml – Mildly Deficient / Insufficient

This means that in these levels you’re more likely to develop bone problems like fractures and osteoporosis because calcium absorption is affected by vitamin D deficiency.

Your level is between 20-30ng/ml – Deficient

In these levels, experts say that it is less likely to have health problems associated with Vitamin D. Research shows that a level of 30ng/ml can prevent bone problems such as fractures.

Your level is between 30 – 40 ng/ml – Quite Sufficient

In these levels, vitamin D is absorbing calcium efficiently. Also, researchersfound that this range of vitamin D levels may reduce your risk of developing cancer and improve your immune response against infection.

Your level is between 40 – 50 ng/ml – Sufficient

These levels suggest that vitamin D is working well to control your bodily functions. This range is linked to reduced risk of some cancers, better heart health and blood circulation.

Your level is between 50 – 60 ng/ml – Standard levels

These levels are the best to aim for people without auto-immune disorders like psoriasis.

Your level is between 60 – 80 ng/ml – High – Normal

These levels are considered as healthy and natural levels. There is no known risk in keeping your levels within these range.

Your level is between 80 -100 ng/ml – High

These levels are above the levels that you can achieve naturally. You can only achieve this range by taking dietary supplements.

How much Vitamin D3 to take for psoriasis once you know your results

Once you know you Vitamin D level, you can now take Vitamin D3 supplements to cope with your deficiency. As I am not a qualified medical professional, I would strongly advise you to talk to your most trusted medical practitioner before proceeding on a course of supplementation.

Please note that Vitamin D can be classified into two forms, D2 and D3.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the recommended and natural form of Vitamin D that your body produces out of the sunlight, and can also be obtained from animal tissue (sheep’s’ wool).

While, Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) “plant based Vitamin D”are derived from mushrooms cured with ultraviolet light. However, nutritionists recommend using D3 because of its potency.

Once they see your results, they will be able to look over your overall general medical history and see what the best course of action is.

As detailed below, the recommended range of vitamin D level to heal psoriatic plaques is between 70 – 100 ng/ml.

According to Grassroots Health (a public health organization), 4000 IU of vitamin D3 for 3 months can increase your levels from 20 ng/ml to 50 ng/ml.

Furthermore, irrespective of your existing vitamin D levels, consuming 2000 IU for 2 months theoretically would not induce harm to your health.

Recommended range of vitamin D levels to heal psoriatic plaques

Deficient Vitamin D Level: <30 ng/ml
Normal Vitamin D Level: 30-50 ng/ml
Optimal Vitamin D Level: 50-70 ng/ml
Psoriasis Healing Level: 70-100 ng/ml
Excess Levels: >100 ng/ml

Understanding your Vitamin D test results so you can treat your psoriasis

Here is how you convert between the two:

Blood level of 25 (OH) Vitamin D Calculator

1 ng/ml = 2.5 nmol/L
30 ng/ml = 75 nmol/L
100 ng/ml = 250 nmol/L

Glossary

ng = nanogram
ml = milliliter
nmol= nanomole
L = Liter

Results and Interpretation (according to the Vitamin D council)

Your level is between 0 – 10ng/ml – Severely Deficient
This means that your levels are way too low and needs immediate supplementation. In this range, you may experience decrease in mobility and muscle strength. Your health is at risk and needs immediate medical attention.
Your level is between 10 – 20ng/ml – Mildly Deficient / Insufficient
This means that in these levels you’re more likely to develop bone problems like fractures and osteoporosis because calcium absorption is affected by vitamin D deficiency.
Your level is between 20-30ng/ml – Deficient
In these levels, experts say that it is less likely to have health problems associated with Vitamin D. Research shows that a level of 30ng/ml can prevent bone problems such as fractures.
Your level is between 30 – 40 ng/ml – Quite Sufficient
In these levels, vitamin D is absorbing calcium efficiently. Also, researchersfound that this range of vitamin D levels may reduce your risk of developing cancer and improve your immune response against infection.
Your level is between 40 – 50 ng/ml – Sufficient
These levels suggest that vitamin D is working well to control your bodily functions. This range is linked to reduced risk of some cancers, better heart health and blood circulation.
Your level is between 50 – 60 ng/ml – Standard levels
These levels are the best to aim for.
Your level is between 60 – 80 ng/ml – High – Normal
These levels are considered as healthy and natural levels. There is no known risk in keeping your levels within these range.
Your level is between 80 -100 ng/ml – High
These levels are above the levels that you can achieve naturally. You can only achieve this range by taking dietary supplements.

How much Vitamin D to take for psoriasis once you know your results

Once you know you Vitamin D level, you can now take supplements to cope with your deficiency. As I am not a qualified medical professional, I would strongly advise you to talk to your most trusted medical practitioner before proceeding on a course of supplementation, in order to see what your recommended daily dose is and in case you experience side effects while taking it.

Once they see your results, they will be able to look over your overall general medical history and see what the best course of action is.

According to Dr. Sarfraz Zaidi’s, California-based Endocrinologist and author of “Power Of Vitamin D“, the optimal healing levels for psoriasis sufferers is in fact 125 – 200 nmol/L (that is 50 – 80 ng/ml).

To achieve these figures, we again reference the Vitamin D Councils recommendation guide:

Here is their general warning first: Note that everybody is different and not everybody achieves the same levels after supplementing with the same amounts. The figures below show on average how much a supplement regimen might raise your blood levels, but you can think of the amounts listed as more of a prediction than a guarantee. This is why you may consider checking your levels twice per year or more, to see if you need to increase or decrease your dosage.

If your results are between 0-10 ng/ml,

To reach 50 ng/ml take 5300 IU supplement per day
To reach 60 ng/ml take 7400 IU supplement per day
To reach 70 ng/ml take 10100 IU supplement per day

If your results are between 10-20 ng/ml,

To reach 50 ng/ml take 4900 IU supplement per day
To reach 60 ng/ml take 7000 IU supplement per day
To reach 70 ng/ml take 9700 IU supplement per day

If your results are between 20-30 ng/ml,

To reach 50 ng/ml take 3700 IU supplement per day
To reach 60 ng/ml take 5800 IU supplement per day
To reach 70 ng/ml take 8600 IU supplement per day

If your results are between 30-40 ng/ml,

To reach 50 ng/ml take 2500 IU supplement per day
To reach 60 ng/ml take 4600 IU supplement per day
To reach 70 ng/ml take 7300 IU supplement per day

If your results are between 40-50 ng/ml,

To reach 50 ng/ml take 900 IU supplement per day
To reach 60 ng/ml take 3000 IU supplement per day
To reach 70 ng/ml take 5700 IU supplement per day

I.U v mcg measurements explained

400 IU = 10 mcg
1000 IU = 25 mcg
50000 IU = 1250 mcg or 1.25 mg

Vitamin D3’s natural partner is vitamin K2

According to the Riordan Clinic, vitamin D3’s natural partner is vitamin K2.

They state that “the genius of this combo begins with proper respect for D3’s function of powerfully enhancing calcium absorption. Recent research has shown that excessive calcium intake alone can be harmful to the body. The additional calcium must be correctly utilized or it can show up in the wrong places and cause disease.

By conscientiously using vitamin K2 in conjunction with D3, this issue of “metastatic calcium” is thoroughly avoided.

Vitamin K2 activates several important proteins in the body. Henrick Dam, a Danish researcher, discovered vitamin K in 1939 (and won the Nobel Prize for his discovery in 1943). Because the Danish word for blood clotting was koagulation, Dam named the molecule vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for the functioning of eight proteins involved in blood clotting.

Vitamin K, through a chemical step called carboxylation, REGULATES and balances the coagulation system as a whole. Keep in mind that the coagulation system stands ready to CLOT if you are hemorrhaging to death, but it must also PREVENT THE CLOT if there are no lacerations or bleeding points. The eight proteins counter-regulate one another in this balancing act. Vitamin K is needed for this amazing feat. “

The Riordan Clinic advise for every 5,000–10,000 units of D3 being recommended and tested for, they are recommending 100 mcg of K2 mk7 to be sure and prevent the inappropriate calcification that higher doses of D3 alone could cause.

Dr. Sarfraz Zaidi’s also recommends taking 200 mcg of K2 mk7 daily when supplementing with high doses of Vitamin D3 (5,000 IU-10,000IU daily) in his book, “The Power Of Vitamin D” which is thoroughly backed up with medical research and cited clinical studies.

I personally take 100 mcg K2 mk7 for every 5000 IU of Vitamin D3 to be on the safe side.

What Medical Professionals say about psoriasis and Vitamin D Deficiency?

Vitamin D is commonly associated mainly with the strengthening of your bones, but, more important, it plays a role on autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, vitiligo and respiratory problems like pneumonia.

In the Journal Science Translational Medicine, medical scientists concluded that Vitamin D helps counteract the body’s immune response to inflammation (one of the major problems of psoriatic patients) that is associated with red scaly patches (plaques).

The finding—based on analysis of genetic material in skin biopsies from psoriasis patients and healthy volunteers—could lead to new therapies, report the team of researchers from the U.S. and Germany.

Dr Richard Gallo also states “One of the effects of vitamin D is changing the way cells grow. Since the symptoms of psoriasis on skin include an increase of the skin’s cells, if you put something on the skin that slows growth, (it) may cause the plaques to become thinner and less scaly”.

As you can see, having a vitamin D deficiency will ensure that outbreaks will occur more often and when they do flare up, they will last longer. This chapter was an excerpt from The Ultimate Guide To Psoriasis And Vitamin D Deficiency.

If you just take one thing from this ebook, then please go and get your Vitamin D levels checked.

Chapter 5