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What Vitamin D maintenance dose keeps you at the level you want?

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Posted 2/7/2011 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
To those out there that take Vitamin D regularly. Have you been retested and found a daily dose that keeps you where you want to be?

When I was tested in October I was at 21, did several weeks of 50,000 IU D3 weekly, then I went to Florida for a week during the holidays and since January have been doing 4,000 IU daily. I get retested for my 3 month mark tomorrow. If my level is up to where we want it ( I am hopeful it is over 50), I am wondering what dose might keep me there. I know I will need to be tested again in a few months, but wondering what daily dose others find keep them where they want to be.
Posted 2/7/2011 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
I do 50,000 a week.
Posted 2/8/2011 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Are there any side effects of the high dose Vit D that you take for several weeks before the maintanence?
Posted 2/8/2011 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
I took 3,000 IU of vitamin D3 for over 3 years and barely could keep my levels in the mid-30s, which is low end of the optimal range. Couldn't figure out why since when I first started 400 iu was the recommended level. Now I take 4,000 to 5,000 iu a day and it is around the 50's for the past two years.

It is possible to take too much D3 but I suspect that even the 70's is a safe amount. That is the level they have found in lifeguards who have been in the sun for most of the summer, without supplements of course.

The general rule of thumb is adding 1,000 iu will increase your level by 10 points. So if your level is 21, by adding an extra 1,000 iu will increase it to around 31. Adding 2,000 iu will place you near 41. But don't go by general rules, it is best and more reliable to regularly measure your blood levels.
Posted 2/8/2011 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
WantRelief - I personally did not experience any side effects from the high dose Vitamin D, but I tested low so my body needed it. Maybe if your levels are in the normal range, the high dose may have some side effects.

I made sure I was taking other supporting Vitamins and minerals with it. For example, Vitamin D needs magnesium to work efficiently and high dose vitamin d can aggravate or create a magnesium deficiency. When I was researching high dose Vitamin D the people that reported side effects usually had the symptoms of a magnesium deficiency.

My doc also had me get a 50,000 D3 supplement that was not prescription, the prescription 50,000 is usually D2 and some people do not tolerate D2 as well.

Babeinthewoods, around 50 is great, good for you! I am hoping since I have been taking 4,000 since the high dose that I will be over 50 but we shall see, probably depends how well I am absorbing it. I have heard of some people who aren't absorbing it, so even after high doses for a few months they barely increase by 5 -10 points, I am hoping that is not me!
Posted 2/8/2011 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
I noticed Sulfasalazine in your signature but not folic acid. Don't go by me, I am one of the least knowledgeable about Sulfasalazine, but I thought doctors recommend taking both together.

I am sure other members here can provide better and more information about this. And it may be a question to ask your doctor.
Posted 2/8/2011 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking 1000 IU a day since Jan. I don't know what my levels are. Before that I was taking about 400 IU/day.
Posted 2/8/2011 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Babeinthewoods - You are right you do need to take both together, I have 100% folic acid in one of my other supplements, so I do take it but not separate so I don't have it listed. Thanks for looking out for me! I actually didn't learn that until I switched doctors, my first GI that started me on it never told me that, it was my second GI who said it was important.
Posted 2/8/2011 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
I take 3000-4000 a day. I haven't had my levels checked since I was told I was deficient. I am not sure if it's helping.
Posted 2/24/2011 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Well I had my levels rechecked after 3 months and got my results today. I doubled my D levels. In October I was at 21, now I am at 42!!

I am really happy it went up so much, since it is winter and I know I am not getting any sun this must mean I am still absorbing supplements ok! My doc wants my level above 60 so we are going to do 50,000 IU D3 weekly again, but only for 4 weeks and then 4,400 IU daily and retest again at the end of May right before summer.

I know it is just me being anal but I wish I knew if it was higher after the weeks of 50,000 IU and I dropped after my daily dose or if the 50,000 got me up around 40 and the daily dose is working and kept me there. Too bad vitamin d isn't like blood sugar, I wouldn't take every day but I would love to be able to take it weekly and see if it fluctuates, ect.
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