We have known for a long time that Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone mineral loss. Profound and prolonged Vitamin D deficiency was the cause of Rickets (Discovered a milenia ago). More recently we have been discovering Vitamin D is associated with health in other areas. Across the United States there is at least 25% of us that are vitamin D deficient. In Nursing homes or others that do not get outside much there are as high as 75% of persons with a deficiency. There is a higher rate of Vitamin D deficiency in Colorado then was previously recognized. Some researchers think that this is a result of our carefulness in protecting against skin cancer. Even low levels of sunscreen block our ability to make vitamin D. We are out in the bright sun less often and using more sun screen. We therefore produce less vitamin D. It is still improtant to avoid skin cancer, so I do continue to recommend sunscreen.

Vitamin D deficieny is now linked with:
- Increased Pain in patients with Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes.
- Increased risk of death from heart disease.
- Double the risk of death from any cause.
- Increased fatigue and perhaps a higher risk of depression
- Thin bones and pathologic bone fractures.
- worse asthma symptoms.
- increased frequency of colds in the winter time.

Foods that are rich in Vitamin D include dark fish, Vitamin D fortified milk, egg yolk and Vitamin D fortiefied cereals.
If you are taking calcium with Vitamin D supplement, you still may not be getting enough vitamin D. The way to know is to get a simple blood test for your vitamin D Level. This tst is called 25-OH-vitamin D level. If you are low, then you need to take 12 weeks of higher dose Vitamin D. You should have your level tested, after the 12 weeks to see if you have corrected, and to decide how much vitamin D you should take regularly.

There are problems with taking too much Vitamin D. However, you would need to take excessive amounts for a very long time to get into problems. As long as you are testing at appropriate intervals, you will not become overdosed.

If you wish to have your vitamin D levels check, please contact us at Family Health Center. You can do an online office visit at CallFHC .com or call us to make an appointment.

In the era of discussing Healthcare Reform, we should consider patient rights and responsibilities in an attempt to define the problems and suggest fixes. I found a pretty good list at About.com (The Wise Patient's Guide to Rights and Responsibilities
By Trisha Torrey, About.com Updated: February 19, 2009. ) Trisha's lists are, I think, a good starting point for most discussions. Hre is the basic list:

" Consider these Patients' Rights
•The Right to Be Treated with Respect
•The Right to Make a Treatment Choice
•The Right to Refuse Treatment
•The Right to Obtain Your Medical Records
•The Right to Privacy of Your Medical Records
•The Right to Informed Consent
•The Right to Make Decisions About End-of-Life Care

The entitlement of patients' rights for Americans is accompanied by patients' responsibilities, too. In order to get the best care, and find our most successful medical outcomes, we must adhere to these responsibilities.

Consider these Patients' Responsibilities
•Maintaining Healthy Habits
•Being Respectful to Providers
•Being Honest With Providers
•Complying with Treatment Plans
•Preparing for Emergencies
•Reading Behind the Headlines
•Making Decisions Responsibly
•Understanding Prescription Drugs and Their Possible Effects
•Meeting Financial Obligations
•Reporting Fraud and Wrongdoing
•Avoiding Putting Others at Risk"

I recommend thinking about each of these points. Discuss them with the people around you. Both lists are critical in order to consider various fixes to hour system.

Sign Up Today and begin to use you Hometown Family Physician service online at any time. No longer do you have to wait for our phones, no longer take time from your busy day. See us online and save time and money. Begin an office visit, request a prescription refill, ask a question or pay a bill...anytime of day; anywhere you are.

1. Go to CallFHC.com.
2. Click on the "Chart" icon. (or click on "related link" below)
3. Create an account
4. Now you have access to all our services.

We will respond to refill requests or office visits within one business day. We will be able to respond to appointment requests within less than a day. (Phoned-in or pharmacy-faxed refill requests will take up to a week.)

I will continue blog about our changes so check back here often.

Wednesday July 1st you will be able to acdcess our services online at CallFHC.com. Patients of Family Health Center can sign in to get Health Information, Online (virtual) office visits, request medication refills, get lab test results and pay bills. You may login in anytime of day from anywhere in the world.

On July 1st go to CallFHC.com and sign up. Tell your friends about the great services from your Online Hometown Family Physician at CallFHC.com .

At Family Health Center, I am trying to remove insurance and lower the cost. The " Cash Pay - Your Way ", system reduces cost to you (substantially). Should you choose to use the Cash Pay - Your Way , we do not file with insurance and save you the cost. This way we do not penalize those without insurance. We can reduce costs for you if you choose not to use insurance or chose to do your own insurance paperwork.

Check it out at CallFHC.com . Click on Cash Pay - Your Way