Do you get enough sun?

I found this:

A deficiency of vitamin D can occur when dietary intake of vitamin D is inadequate, when there is limited exposure to sunlight, when the kidney cannot convert vitamin D to its active form, or when someone cannot adequately absorb vitamin D from the gastrointestinal tract 7.

Sorry, but found this to, which applies to me, and probably most of us:

Steroids

Corticosteroid medications are often prescribed to reduce inflammation from a variety of medical problems. These medicines may be essential for a persons medical treatment, but they have potential side effects, including decreased calcium absorption.29,30 There is some evidence that steroids may also impair vitamin D metabolism, further contributing to the loss of bone and development of osteoporosis associated with steroid medications.30 For these reasons, individuals on chronic steroid therapy should consult with their physician or registered dietitian about the need to increase vitamin D intake through diet and/or dietary supplements.

Sorry to be obnoxious, but I thought this was important to:
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
Men

* Ages 19-50: 5 mcg* or 200 IU
* Ages 51-69: 10 mcg* or 400 IU
* Ages 70 +: 15 mcg* or 600 IU

Women

* Ages 19-50: 5 mcg* or 200 IU
* Ages 51-69: 10 mcg* or 400 IU
* Ages 70 +: 15 mcg* or 600 IU

Cod Liver Oil, 1 Tbs. (1,360 IU) [340]
# Salmon, cooked, 31/2 oz (360 IU) [90]
# Mackerel, cooked, 3 1/2 oz (345 IU) [90]
# Sardines, canned in oil, drained,3 1/2 oz (270 IU) [70]
# Eel, cooked, 3 1/2 oz (200 IU) [50]
# Milk, nonfat, reduced fat, and whole, vitamin D fortified, 1 c (98 IU) [25]
# Margarine, fortified, 1 Tbs. (60 IU) [15]
# Cereal grain bars, fortified w/ 10% of the DV, 1 each (50 IU) [10]
# Pudding, 1/2 c prepared from mix and made with vitamin D fortified milk (50 IU) [10]
# Dry cereal, Vit D fortified w/10%* of DV, 3/4 c (40-50 IU) [10]
* Other cereals may be fortified with more or less vitamin D
# Liver, beef, cooked, 3 1/2 oz (30 IU) [8]
# Egg, 1 whole (vitamin D is present in the yolk) (25 IU) [6]

website: http://ibdcrohns.about.com/od/relatedconditions/a/fdavitd_4.htm

I am very active outside about 8 months of the year. I also eat a lot of cold water fish, eggs, and fortified dairy. To top it off I was supplimenting with 400-600mg a day of vitamin D! I was on inhaled steroids for years but I've been off about 6 now. My celiac has been under control for 4 years now as well. So I am stumped. Still seronegative for RA with symptoms that match it now perfectly after 3 years, but I have a drop in vitamin d?

I am currently on prednisone for the suspected RA in my hands, knees, spine, and pelvis. They didnt start the prednisone till after the blood work though.

Sarah you are great - thanks for all that info! Looks to me like pred. might be a culprit.

I started the Pred after the blood draw.

Well, I guess, but I am no doctor of course, that either your kidney isn't working adequately or there's something wrong with your gastrointestinal tract. Are you taking x-lax or anything that might interrupt the absorption? If your not, then perhaps you need to see a gastrointestinal specialist, and I know they have another name but I'm too lazy to look it up. I hope you figure it out!

I don't know what could have caused the drop in Vit D, but now that you are on Prednisone I hope your doc has prescribed the additional meds that you should have to accompany it. I take Fossamax to prevent bone loss and 1500 mg Calcium and 600 mg Vitamin D... Hopefully you will find out what the problem is and get it under control...hugs jilly

I had undiagnosed celiac for 22 years it left me with osteoporosis. My d was fine when they found it though so this is weird. I found an intersting article however that states low vitamin D stores make you more likely to get RA and a couple of other Autoimmune disorders. I've been seronegative now for 3 years, and this is my first flare since the initial one. I was also a rare seronegative celiac. I am wondering if the drop is my bodies response to its autoantibodies because I keep low stores, and if that drop could be why I'm seronegative. I am going to bring this up with my dr. I find it very curious.