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Vitamin D3 Levels and Vitamin D2 Levels

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/21/2015 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
I had blood work done his week and have not had a chance to talk to my doctor. I was able to log on and see the results.

My Vitamin D2 Level - 44
My Vitamin D3 Level - <4

I am on a prescription for D2 - and I am guessing that's why that level is so different than the other one. What do you folks think?
Posted 2/22/2015 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm I tried to see what mine said because I was just diagnosed with a deficiency too. The test they took was called 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D 25. Mine was also <4.

They have me on VIT D2, 50,000 units a week. My doctor said I'm going to be taking something daily after a while too.
Posted 2/22/2015 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/vitamin-d/tab/test
Posted 2/22/2015 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
Posted 2/22/2015 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
I'm already taking 50,000 IU of D2 1x per week. I read so much - I was unable to figure out what the bottom line is when D2 is good and D3 is not. They lump everything together and discuss Vitamin D deficiency. Guess I'll need to chat w/ the doctor. :)

Post Edited (vadreamer1) : 2/21/2015 7:17:28 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/22/2015 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
From the links I provided: "Serum concentration of 25(OH)D is the best indicator of vitamin D status."

This is neither vit D2 levels nor vit D3 levels but instead levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which is what your liver converts either Vitamin D2 or D3 into.

Measuring the levels of D2 and D3 doesn't tell you accurate info. As Jen77 says, you need to get your level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D checked. That is considered the most accurate way to assess vitamin D status.
Posted 2/24/2015 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
I think that the OP's results mean that his blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D2) is 44 ng/dl. This would be expected since he has been taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 for a while now.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is considered more natural and is what is produced by your body when exposed to sunlight. D2 is the artificial form of vitamin D and is added to foods such as milk, (and in prescription vit d pills!). It is not quite as easily assimilated by the body.

It doesn't matter what your D2 or D3 levels are, the name of the game is to get total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (d2+d3) levels to the optimal range, between 40 and 50 ng/ml, or maybe 40-60 ng/ml. Over 100 ng/ml is flirting with overdose.

Unless you work as a lifeguard or roofer then overdose will not be a problem. Almost everyone has a deficiency, that is why testing is crucial. I supplement 5000 IU D3 a day (35,000 IU/week) and can barely achieve optimal levels in the summer despite beach weather and golf outdoors.

If you have any doubts about the value of D, google 'vitamin d Crohn's'. While you are at it google 'vitamin D cancer', 'vitamin d heart disease' or vitamin D anything. Research in the past 10 years is overwhelming, it truly is the panacea vitamin.
Posted 2/24/2015 10:41 AM (GMT 0)
Wrong, Almost everyone in this thread is wrong.

Vit D3 IS 25-Hydroxy Vit D / Cholecalciferol, Storage form of Vit D, half life several months probably
1, 25 - Dihydroxy Vit D is Calcitriol, active form of Vit D, the one that is actually doing the job. Few hours, around 12-16 depending on your metabolism and genetic status.

Vit D2 - has always confused me, as it is 'vegetarian' source of Vit D and should NOT be taken in higher amounts for the sake of liver toxicity and the difficulty the body has in converting it to Calcitriol. That being said, I have absolutely no clue, why the physicians keep prescribing 50K IU of D2. It should actually be 60K IU of Calcitriol, if you want a quick benefits from Vit D.

To the OP,
I would repeat the test and run D2, D3 and Calcitriol together. I have added D2 just because I don't know much positive about D2 but some physician may know. I personally concentrate only on Cholecalciferol and Calcitriol. If you have done 23andMe, also look at VDR Taq and VDR BSM SNPs, along with COM T
If your Vit D is indeed 4, then essentially you have rickets and your bones/teeth etc are falling apart. Your inflammation load should be huge, along with relatively high C-RP (or you just live in the dark for 365 days of the year).

Should the repeat test shows that your D3 is indeed 4 (also tell us 1,25-Di OH Vit D aka Calcitriol), then I would pump at least 30K D3 and 60K Calcitriol daily along with relatively high dose of Vit K (Something like 3 caplets of Super K) in divided doses. Also eat some good fats along with each dose. I would do this for a month and then retest. Get the numbers and then decide further plan of action.
Posted 2/24/2015 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcifediol

"25-hydroxyvitamin D (abbreviated 25(OH)D) is a prehormone that is produced in the liver by hydroxylation of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)"

So it is NOT Vitamin D3 but is what vitamin D3 is converted to by the liver, as I stated.

Can you provide a link to a scientific journal that shows risks of liver toxicity from taking 50k iu of D2?
Posted 2/24/2015 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
@beave,
I need to recheck that. Looks like, I got it wrong. If so, thanks for correcting me.

I have no idea where I read it or recall any paper to give you an exact link. A couple of years ago, I read a tons on Vit D when I noticed a connection between my UC flare and Vit D levels. At the time of flares, my Vit D levels were always low, less than 30. Wanted to figure out if it was the cause or effect. I came across during those readings. May be Vit D council website has some papers. I used that website a lot to find the papers related to Vit D.

But if I remember correctly, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22552031 mentions use of D3 is better than D2

I will still check and if I find, will post here.
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