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.

Right. This is my current packet, admittedly only been on them a week. The previous pack I'm not sure. I'll have to go into my Amazon history to find it.

I'll look out for a lamp.
Get out at lunch time.
Keep taking the high dose.
Take fat with it (egg, cheese or nuts).

And mention it to the GP when I get an appointment.

I'll ask for the full results in an email so I know the actual numbers.

My old tablets were 500% of the rda, 25mg (but the funny m).

I'm not sure how that compares.

Ok, checked the message. They said I should take 25mcg/1000iu.

I was taking that +4 tablets.

I'll see how I get on with the new ones at 4000iu.

There's your answer OP. The old ones were at too low a dose for someone with a deficiency.
You should find your levels do a lot better with the new ones.

I was deficient and now to keep my levels okay I take 3000iu daily in winter and I still supplement in summer but vary it depending on how much sun I am or am not getting. I use the Better You sub-lingual spray. I have a 1000iu one for summer also.

Can I suggest to take vit D with vit K drops rather than the tablets it’s far more easily absorbed. Has been very noticeable for me - barely get ill now. I use Nutriadvanced brand

I think you will find that 25mg is the equivalent of 1000 IU (1mg = 40 IU). So you are now taking a considerably higher dose. You really do need to check what the bloods showed `(it is bad from that they have not already given you this information).

Thank you all!
I will ask, Dogs, but I'll let a few days go by in case there are more to come. The text did say 'slight' and not needing a prescription.

I'll make sure I stay on the very high ones- thing is, I thought you could overdo it.

I'll do the other things as well.
I'm also on HRT and have fibromyalgia, so not easy to check what's what.

Can you access your medical records online (either via your GP's app or the NHS app)? They often give a breakdown of blood test results there.

I had whacking great ones on prescription. I think they were 50,000. I had to take one a week for 8 weeks.

No, Keep.
But I'll request an email later in the week.

Yes op you need to take the 4000 daily and retest in 6 weeks. 1000 daily is not for deficiency. Also its known that you can’t correct vitamin d levels in the uk sun except in summer, the sunlight is too diffuse.
If you want to retest whenever you want it try Googling city assay vitamin d. It’s an nhs lab offered private testing for about £29. Very good and reliable.

I switched to the drops which you put under your tongue and mine started going up. You can get them in the pharmacy or health shops.

Right, need to check the kind I get, then. Who knew it could be so complicated!?

in my area the criteria for getting a script is rather low. My levels were at 10 and they would only prescribe for below 10. Nurse wasn’t much use at all and I got better advice off a pharmacist. I also followed the same criteria for Vit D prescribing as I was just to say ‘insufficient’ rather than ‘deficient’. You may find that they also won’t retest; not recommended in my area, but my GP did retest and within a couple of weeks, levels had gone up to 30 and within a couple of months they were at 50. I don’t have clue as to what levels are like now due to the reluctance to test further when I feel fine.

Mine was low until I started taking in combination with K2 and started eating a different dietary style (goodbye low fat!) not sure which thing helped the most, but I won't change it now. I really felt very unwell on a low fat diet, didn't work for me at all I was always low in my fat soluble vitamins despite supplementation. It has also helped my hair a lot, which is so much better now. My skin used to be very dry as well and isn't anymore, however I do get more spots now which is the only down side. I've also stopped being anaemic now after many years of anaemia. I think fat is a marvellous thing now, and I would never stop taking my vitamin d with k2 combo. The fat I eat is from plants like olives, nuts, but butter, avocado, but also from fatty fish like salmon and some full fat dairy usually Greek yoghurt, cheese and sometimes a little bit of cream or creme fraiche.

I take 4000ui daily, the one you spray under your tongue for better absorbency. My GP said that anything lower when your results are low is pointless in the winter.

I was coming on to post the same.
Tablets didn't work for me, I have food intolerances so probably weren't absorbed.
Been taking The Better You drops for past 4 years. 3000 iu daily in winter and less in summer depending on sun exposure, keeps my levels at optimal. I get the online test via BY every year in Autumn.

Got mine on Amazon

Ok, thank you all.

I'm getting a better fat diet- omega 3 supplement and full fat yogurt. Eggs (when you can get the blighters!), nuts and 60g cheese a day. So that should be ok.

I'll be fussier about the type of supplement.

Docs can prescribe a much higher short term treatment than is available over the counter , I take them then a maintenance dose plus use a light box - crohns

After years of trying I managed to raise my levels using Better You spray and a lowish carb/higher fat diet. My friend's rheumatologist told her to take the supplement with her fattiest meal (or eg a slice of buttered toast) to help absorption, so if I understand correctly vitamin d should be taken with fat, not on an empty stomach.
Also google vitamin d loading dose and compare your results.

I don't have a diagnosis of crohns or coeliac.
I do have fibromyalgia, which shouldn't affect it.
They tested because I'm not really picking up on HRT.

Apparently taking vitamin D supplements can reduce your magnesium levels. Only found out about that this week. You probably need to take magnesium as well, 300mg is the recommended dose.

The newer ones should work
I was on a standard lower dose and my levels came back as 9
Did 50,000 loading dose for some weeks and now take 4000 daily

Thanks for your input. I've had my results back.
I'm only barely under the range, 49 instead of 50.

So I guess not enough to worry about even if I'm already supplementing.

So I'm trying the different types, to see whether that helps. I'm on a massive, oil based one now and the next one will be a spray.

I'd just like to feel better!