Can I take vitamin D supplements on top of multivitamins with it in?

[donadumaurier]

I've just had the results of my blood test back- all normal except very very low vitamin D levels. I'm already taking multivitamins which contain vitamin D. Can I take a vitamin D supplement on top of this, given clearly the multivitamins on their own aren't enough?

You should be given vitamin D supplements from your GP that contain a good amount of vitamin D, I would advise mixing the two. Amounts in multi vitamins are not high enough hence why your blood tests are low in that area, however combining both could mean your overdosing on Vitamin D which can be dangerous. I was on them for about 2 years (Prescription). Have regular blood tests now to check levels. Many people probably have it without even realising it.

This is what the multivitamin I'm on says about its iron content:

Vitamin D 5 μg (100%)

So that to me suggests I shouldn't be taking anything else, but then my vitamin D levels are majorly low WITH this

How low are your Vit D numbers? Mine were borderline low (64 - and this was at the end of the summer, where I'd been out in the sun/abroad) on 100% supplementation (the 5mcg in a multi-vitamin) so the doctor has now given me a D3 supplement, and told me I'm fine to carry on taking the multi-vitamin with D in too.

There is current research that suggests that the RDA for vitamin D is enough to stop you getting rickets but that to have a proper amount in your body you need to supplement by over 1000 times as much as the RDA

The GP should prescribe but it they don't there are great sprays which are the right amount

My GP prescribed tablets that are 25 ug

I'm not sure, I was given the results over the phone and the receptionist said 'very very low'. Advised me to speak to a pharmacist about vitamin D supplements and I stupidly didn't think to mention the multivitamins before ending the call

I give my kids 75ug a day plus a standard kiddy multivitamin and take something similar myslef. You apparently also need vit K to aid absorption

The research around auto immune diseases has really made me vigilant about vit d - it's the only thing I take

Call your surgery back OP as if it states "very very low" I'm surprised you weren't asked to come back and see GP or that there wasn't a prescription to be collected. I can't remember my figure but must've been very low as was on a very high strength initially as remember GP telling me this at the time.

How do you get tested for it? I think my gp would refuse if I went in to ask for a vit deficiency test

I think you should be fine on both op. I would think it's quite hard to overdose. I've just been prescribed vit d at a dose of 2 x 20,000 iu per day for eight days. 1ug (or mcg, same thing) is equal to 40iu for context. This is a loading dose and designed to bring my levels up in a very short amount of time as I'm knackered all the time.
I would however query the lack of action taken by your gp, although up to 50% of adults are found to be vit d deficient not much is done about it as there are different ideas of what is actually deficient. But there are a variety of health issues caused by low vit d levels so I would chase it up.

Sofia my gp did a full set of bloods when I went in with symptoms of tiredness. I was concerned I had diabetes. He decided to do a full set though. I've been told that Vit d is a fairly expensive test and not usually included in the normal blood work-it's only done if Dr suspects something else is up, perhaps based on symptoms/lifestyle. I'm not sure if it's hard to test for because it's a fat soluble vitamin. The fat soluble vitamins are a,d,e and k. I'm sure a medical type will be along here shortly with the right info!

Thank you, I'm going to phone up my GP again later and go and ask at the pharmacy.

Sofia my GP sent me to for a blood test for it along with other things because of the symptoms I came in with. Exhausted all the time no matter how much sleep I have, constant viruses etc. If you present with the symptoms they will investigate.

There's a strong argument that multivitamin supplements aren't very useful as it's difficult to absorb the vitamins in that form and either you are getting the vitamins you need from your diet or you aren't.

If your Vitamin D levels are very very low you should be given a supplement on prescription initially and when they return to normal you are then generally expected to buy your own supplements - you will prob always need to supplement.

If they are just slightly low then they may tell you to buy your own.

And yes just getting 100% of the RDA as in multivits is not enough.

Vitamin D is really cheap - it's often sold in units and you are looking for up to 2500 units per tablet or 62.5 micrograms if you see them in micrograms. Amazon sells giant bottles.

I'd check with your GP exactly how low very very low is - if it is less than 25 - proper deficiency, not borderline - (although absolute numbers vary from lab to lab) you would be expecting a prescription, not advice from the receptionist. You won't be able to just boost that up on over the counter doses.

Almost every area has a pathway for treating Vitamin D deficiency but from my experience in my locality, not every GP follows it.