The Sunshine Vitamin Part 2: Vitamin D and Fertility

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By  Annmarie McManus, PA and Lauren Houser, CRNP

As mentioned in last week’s post, Vitamin D has long been recognized for its important role in protecting our bones, elevating our mood, supporting hormone health and many other functions. Recent research shows that this multi-purpose “sunshine vitamin” also can play an important role in infertility.

Fertility specialists often measure a blood marker that indirectly estimates ovarian reserve (remaining egg supply) through measuring Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH). A low AMH can be correlated with an increase risk in infertility while a high AMH can indicate Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). High dose vitamin D3 has been found to increase AMH levels. It has also been shown to have a protective role in women with PCOS.

Additional functions of Vitamin D:

  • Enhances cholesterol metabolism

  • Increases Anti-Cancer activity

  • Immune Modulator

  • Anti-Inflammatory

  • Contributes to antioxidant function

  • Regulates calcium utilization

  • Enhances insulin secretion

Vitamin D/K Deficiency is associated with:

  • Weight gain

  • Adrenal fatigue

  • High cholesterol

  • Hypertension

  • Osteoporosis

  • Muscle and bone pain

  • Diabetes

  • Hormonal Imbalance

  • Increased cardiovascular risk

Testing

All PIM providers consider vitamin D serum level a standardized test for patients. Consider an appointment with Annmarie McManus to have your vitamin D and other levels checked today!

As a part of PIM’s Integrative Fertility Program, I recommend all women get their vitamin D serum level measured and look for an optimal range of 50-80. What is considered a normal value in  conventional medicine, for example 30 ng/ml, is considered deficient at PIM. A 25 hydroxy Vitamin D level can be checked through conventional LabCorp or Quest testing. A specialty option--Spectracell Micronutrient testing--measures all vitamin and nutrient levels and offers a 6 month average--much more powerful than a spot check or serum level. With conventional testing, we recommend rechecking your levels every 2-3 months if you’ve been deficient.

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Interested in connecting with PIM? Register for one of our upcoming events - Deep Dive Classes with Dr. Tetlow at Cabrini College, tickets just $75 at sign up (limited space for individual attention, no walkins, please). Deep Dive offers intensive, interactive, life transforming experiences that include honest self-assessments and multiple keys to help you be and feel different. We’ll explore Healthy Weight (June 20!) and how to get there--this class is designed for the educated health consumer who is doing many things right but not seeing results.

If you or your loved one want to improve overall well being or are suffering from a chronic illness, please consider scheduling a 20 minute free consultation or an appointment with Lauren Houser, MS, MSN, CRNP or Annmarie McManus, MMSc, PA-C, PT, IFMCP.

 

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