To think advice about vit d levels is useless if you're already supplementing?

[picklemewalnuts]

I've had bloods done. Very fast response by text telling me to supplement vit D, and the dose.

However, I'm already taking the usual 'high dose' and an extra 3 tablets a week as advised last time I was tested.

So now what? Take the suggested dose on top of the dose I'm already taking?

I can't find anything online to explain why it won't go up, despite supplements. I'm on an oil based supplement that's supposed to be better.

I'm not really impressed that the advice came by text, with no opportunity to point out I'm already supplementing.

Just call your gp on Monday and.ask for advice?

Pretty hopeless of GP. I think conditio

Conditions which affect the gut can affect absorption e.g celiac disease. Are you getting any other symptions?

In my case I was referred for gastroscopy/colonoscopy to see if there were any issues with absorption (crohns/coeliac etc). No cause found so just keep on with the high dose (4000 iu/day). I was prescribed 800iu day but it was no help at all so am stuck buying otc.

But no, YANBU. Forgot to add that bit.

Ruling out other issues e.g. coeliac, you need cholesterol to convert into vitamin D. So if you're supplementing but also follow a low/no cholesterol diet e.g. a vegan diet or "heart health" one, you will struggle to get your vitamin D levels up as the supplementation guidance is based on people following an average diet and therefore some natural conversion taking place as well.
I wrote an article on this somewhere, but no idea where.

You might need a prescription Vit d, I had one and it was 50,000 (I think) units compared with the over the counter supplements of max 2000.

No real idea if it worked I didn’t go back for re-testing but I feel like the tiredness and joint pain has improved. The GP said my level was too low to improve without the higher strength Vit d for a few weeks.

Yes, that's a whole full time job, though.

Oooh, I could get behind the need for a higher fat diet

I'll have to check the strength of what I'm taking. It's the higher strength one, 10 tablets instead of 7 a week. I've only recently changed to the super high oil based one, though.

I was so impressed by the speed of the test results and the text- I only had the bloods taken this morning!!

I just don't know what to do with the results!
I guess I'll wait and see whether anything else comes back, then just ask next time I have an appointment. Or ask the pharmacist!

How much exactly are you taking? The recommended NHS levels are feeble.

There was an article a few weeks ago in The times saying natural light was better to increase vit d levels even in winter... can you go out for a short walk at lunchtime?

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/benefits-of-sunshine-vitamin-d-kqwmk7hwg

Oh yes my main change is sitting in the sun/daylight with my legs and arms out for 15 minutes a day as often as I can as well.

I’ve had the same - already taking supplements and told by GP to get up to 2000 per day. I had some others knocking around in the cupboard but still not sure combined they’re strong enough.

I have coeliac disease.

When mine were low my doctor said natural light helps increase levels. Supplements help you maintain existing levels (simplified but general rule)..

Aldo you need other things like K2 and I think fat (would have to double check) to help you absorb it

When you say you are supplementing with a “high” dose what do you mean? The standard daily recommended dose is for people who don’t have a deficiency. If you are deficient you need a high dose, usually for a fairly short period of time. Is it possible the brand you are using isn’t good?

Vitamin D is fat soluble

you need to take it with fat so it can absorb

And not fake fat like vegetable oil, proper fat like butter

I use a SAD light therapy lamp on recommendation of my doctor when viatamimnd levels were low. This in addition to supplements. I felt the difference within a week it was magical.

Vegetable oil isn't fake fat!

Do you have the nhs app? You can send a message via that

I walk every day, but not at lunchtime. So that's a thing to try.

I'm just off downstairs to check the dose.

Maybe try swapping the product for another one.

What level of vit D did the blood test show? How much are vit D are you taking and what did they suggest you take?

If you are already taking the amount that has been suggested or more than that, you need to have a conversation with them.

There was an article a few weeks ago in The times saying natural light was better to increase vit d levels even in winter... can you go out for a short walk at lunchtime?

In the UK the angle of the sun is such that we can't make vitamin D from to between October and March.
You will only make vitamin D from the sun when your shadow is shorter than you are, as a rough guide.