Blood test changed my life

It's winter in North Idaho and I'm depressed. I don't remember being depressed in winters past. I love winter - snowy Christmas mornings, snowshoeing Fourth of July Pass, harvesting our Christmas tree from Fernan Saddle, cooking rich tomato soup from canned vegetables harvested from my summer garden, jeeping in the white powder at Lookout Pass, heavy sweaters, heavier boots; wonderful memories. So why am I sad?

Being me I thought just buck-up and get to work. I am not sick. I need to quit complaining and just live with it. I should quit being sad and, if I put on a happy face, things will be OK. After all, I'm a therapist, relatively intelligent and in touch with my mental wellness. I should be able to fix me. I was wrong.

The week before Christmas things got worse. I thought I had a brain tumor and was dysfunctionally and organically out of sorts. My blood pressure was high and my heart palpitating. Often anxious, sad, not sleeping with neck, jaw and shoulder pain - my whole body ached. I was dizzy all of the time and struggled to walk.

It took all effort I could muster to rise from my couch. I started calling in sick to work. I thought I was getting old. I wondered if I was dying. I remember sitting in my easy chair in the family room of our home and my wife, looking at my sad desperate face asked, "what's wrong?" I could only answer, "I am so sad!" This scared us both.

I scheduled a visit with my family doctor to discuss an acute onset of dizziness (vertigo). My doctor asked many questions, examined me and drew blood. We discovered hypertension and high cholesterol with all else normal but are still waiting for the results of a few tests.

Two days later the news came; I am severely vitamin D deficient. The doctor prescribed Zocor for my cholesterol and 50,000 IU of vitamin D weekly for 4-6 months. The doctor explained the journey back to physical and mental health is a lengthy one taking months to build up the vitamin D my body lacks.

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, achy and weak bones and muscles, lower immunity to illness, low mood and depression. All symptoms I am displaying. I now have the answer to my dysfunction and can start the road to recovery.

I am a private person but am disclosing this very personal issue in my life for this reason. Many friends and family with whom I've shared my story share similar symptoms in their lives. They then seek medical attention and discover they too have vitamin D deficiency. See your doctor. It takes minutes and might answer questions one has about mood, energy level, achiness or dizziness. Vitamin D comes from two sources, the sun and the food we eat. The further north one lives from the equator the less vitamin D they receive from the sun. Living above 42 degrees north latitude effects ones ability to receive adequate vitamin D from the sun during the months of November through February. North Idaho, my home, is 49 degrees north latitude.

Some believe any exposure to the sun is unsafe but vitamin D is necessary for healthy bone growth and mental wellness. Bare your skin and let the sunshine in - if you dare. If you are susceptible to sunburn or have a history of skin cancer, use dietary supplements to gain vitamin D and avoid sun exposure.

Ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds and direct sunlight is a carcinogen responsible for most of the estimated 1.5 million skin cancers and the 8,000 deaths due to metastatic melanoma that occur annually in the United States. Lifetime cumulative UV damage to skin is also largely responsible for some age-associated dryness and other cosmetic changes. It is not known whether a desirable level of regular sun exposure exists that imposes no (or minimal) risk of skin cancer over time. The American Academy of Dermatology advises that photoprotective measures be taken, including the use of sunscreen, whenever one is exposed to the sun (National Institute of Health).

Some studies suggest seasonal depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder - SAD) might be correlated to vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sun exposure and lack of available to the healthy foods of summer. For those who cannot find adequate sun, light therapy might be the answer. Light therapy lengthens one's day by adding artificial sunlight when no sunlight is available (usually early in the morning before sunrise).

Sitting in front of a light box (available on-line) for 20-60 minutes daily might offer relief from seasonal depression symptoms. The box must be capable of offering 10,000 lux of light at eye level to be effective.

The food we eat - foods rich in vitamin D include cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, butter, mushrooms, fortified cereals and milk. Avoid cholesterol. Take vitamin D, fish oil, vitamin E and calcium supplements daily and eat heart healthy, low fat, vitamin D enriched foods. Grilled salmon with sauteed mushrooms on top of basmati rice drizzled with extra virgin olive oil is a treat which will help one live longer while becoming happy in the dead of winter.

I am now four months into the journey of recovery. The changes I've made include eliminating almost all cholesterol in my diet, taking long-term prescribed medicine for the first time in my life, exercising 2 1/2 hours a week, and preparing most meals I eat at home. My life is better. The sadness has mostly disappeared, my cholesterol has dropped 70 points, my vertigo has decreased to once or twice a week and my energy level has increased substantially. I enjoy life much more than before and am looking toward the future. A simple blood test changed my life for the better. See your doctor and get tested.

Bill Rutherford is a psychotherapist, public speaker, elementary school counselor, adjunct college psychology instructor and executive chef, and owner of Rutherford Education Group. Please e-mail him at bprutherford@hotmail.com and check out www.foodforthoughtcda.com.