Vitamin D, how much?

Hi Everyone,

I saw my rheumatologist last week and she said according to a blood test I had done I am deficient in vitamin D. I believe the finding but I don't quite trust her judgement because years ago she told me it was a waste of time to take nutritional supplements.

She's recommended that I take 50,000 VitaminD (must mean units) twice a week for ten weeks the same two days of the week. I was diagnosed with osteopenia years ago so I do need my calcium. But she also stated at this last appointment that I should stop taking calcium because it can affect the heart. I don't have any heart issues. So I'm not planning on going off my calcium.

She didn't recommend vitamin D3, isn't that suppose to be better for us? Doesn't 50,000 sound like a lot even though it's only twice a week?

Thanks!

I take 50,000 once a week, although last time by D was a little low. My dr just renewed it today.

I take 5000 iu every morning. I took 50,000 a week for a month to get it back up to where it needed to be, which I have no clue what that is. And my doc didn't check it after, but the blood tests are expensive I think. And I don't know if my ins would of paid for another one. Hard to say these days.

Sost9, I noticed your depression is in remission, mine is too. So happy for you...

Hugs, Karen

There is a lot of research coming out that the vitamin D rage is another marketing gimmick. In Europe they consider 20 to be an acceptable level where in the USA doctors have been brain washed to think we need to be at 50 to 80.

First of all no vitamin D you buy in a bottle is what the body is used to using. It is a toxin filled (solvents and growth media) compound as chemists attempt to copy the natural substance. Most is made from sheep's wool, fungus or fish oil (rancid from the start). Then it goes through an elaborate chemical process to arrive at a structure that is close to real vitamin D but not the same. There are left over toxic chemicals in every pill...same with fish oil only worse- it has hexane that is neurotoxic.

Our bodies evolved over eons to recognize and use real food based vitamins and light activated vitamin D. These chemical substitutes are so new to our bodies they are considered toxins, often create a stress response and are shuttled into the liver for rapid elimination.

Humans have existed for tens of thousands of years without supplements and even those living in far north area lived healthy lives without supplements like D. If you do the research many people are made worse with vitamin D – also the B vitamins and other supplements.

Remember years back when vitamin A was the rage – then they found A in a bottle can promote cancer. Then it was vitamin C for the immune system – then the man who discovered vitamin C admitted it was not useful for scurvy like an orange is.

Thanks, James, for the information.

Thanks, Sherrine, for sharing with me what you do about the vitamin D. Since I'm so medication sensitive usually don't even try meds for me that she recommends if I discover they have a lot of side effects, I've changed my mind. I'm going to try this one. I'm going to give the 50,000 iu prescription a try.

Thanks again everyone.

Thanks, Ted, for the information.

Another question I have for those of you who were on the heavy dose of Vitamin D. Do you still take the prescribed vitamin D in a lesser amount?

Thanks.

You are correct, Lanie!  I am taking the higher amount of D3 under my doctor's care.  I have blood work done every six months, too, so I shouldn't have a problem.  Once my D levels are in a good range, I will be backing down on the amount I take.  I don't absorb things well so I'll most likely be taking a higher dose than most people.

 

Thanks for that great link.  I love the Mayo Clinic site!

 

Sherrine

I take my D first thing in the mornings.
I don't feel any different in taking it.
I was told to only take the D and no other supplements with D in it.

PS. When I started D my level was 8.

I was just reading all these post about vitamin D. Some post say they don't know their vitamin D level. I was doing the same thing taking large doses of vitamin D. Next thing I knew I was in the ER with severe pain in the kidney area. My nephro Dr. Found a kidney stone and my vitamin D level toxic. It was 4 times the level it should of been. I had to have surgery and a stent placed in. The pain alone was a good reminder how vitamins can be dangerious. The test are usually around $ 80 cash.

Almost- I think it was 50,000 units weekly. My Dr. Put me on it, but didn't say anything about a recheck. I was talking about the cost of vitamin D blood test. In my area they are around $80 without insurance.

Almost- I was on the vitamin D 50,000 for a long time. I can't remember, but I know it wasn't short. These are the things I get frustrated with the Dr's. This is why I share my story with others. Maybe I can prevent someone going through this. I use to think vitamins are harmless. Are you taking vitamin D?

Almost- I was on it longer, trust your Dr. At least your Dr. Is rechecking it.

getting by said...
Sost9, I noticed your depression is in remission, mine is too. So happy for you...

Thanks. :) It is nice to not feel like you are lost in a deep dark pit.

I have been on 50k for several years. My doctors check me several times a year to make sure that everything is okay with everything. I actually just had mine taken last week. If they are off, my doctor will change the dose. Since I have an odd digestive system, I don't absorb things right anyway (so they have to keep an eye on me for at least that). I do take another vitamin supplement as well, and it is a script from the same dr who gave me the D script. He gave me a prenatal vitamin. I guess the mix in that particular pill gives me almost everything I need (except calcium).