Vit D for SAD - what dosage?

[OtraCosaMariposa]

I struggled really badly with the dark nights last year and found that October through to the new year was just hell. I have a light box and am going to take vit D. Confused on dosage though. I know that it's recommended to take more than the standard 5mcg or 200 international units

Even the "high dose" ones are only 25 micrograms which doesn't seem particularly high dose to me.

I seem to remember that I should be looking at 100 micrograms or 5000 international units a day, is that about right? And can anyone recommend a cost-effective place to buy them??

Have you tried Holland and Barrett? I would recommend b vitamins too x

5000 iu is what the Vitamin D Council recommends. My father is a world renowned scientist who works on Vitamin D and that's what he takes (at 90) and recommends to his family and friends (adults).

I was deficient.

I take 3000iui daily via s spray from health food store. Quick and easy.

Asked my GP exactly same question here is the answer 3 months October then break jan then 3 months

Have you tried St John's Wort? I've been taking it from the beginning of September until the end of April every year since 2005, on the advice of a doctor. I find it helps to stabilise my mood.

I too have a lightbox that sits on my desk at work. I also take multivitamins for the 8 months of "not summer".

St. John's Wort is not a substitute for Vitamin D

I buy little pots from the local indie chemist - 1000ui dose per tablet.
It is 99p for 60 tablets. Valupak brand. My dad gets them from his local too and we're in different parts of the UK so should be easy for people to find.
I had a test done by the GP and she commented that my Vit D levels were virtually undetectable before I went on supplements. So not doing it for the sake of it!

These. Even at 5000ui they work out at just 8.25p per day.

www.chemist.co.uk/valupak-vitamin-d3-1000iu-60-tablets.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt5zsBRD8ARIsAJfI4BiIeUOd1VJrVXKER32r26N6eGxixAi6-hDfa9fgIDfFkclQWoDR_v8aAnt2EALw_wcB

I have a 3000iu spray and I take 2 sprays a day during the winter, so 6000iu.

I take the [[https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/266458362 Vitabiotics ones]] but also a Menopause Support and that's full of stuff too.

christsake I cocked up those links

I have a light box and I use that too. I know the medical jury is out on that one, but I feel it helps me. I also try to get out into the daylight when I can but we're in Scotland and there's just not enough strong sunlight in the winter months. I've never been measured for deficiency but I am pretty much sure everyone in Scotland will be, unless they're taking supplements.

Thanks for the recommendations. We have a small independent chemist in the village where I work, and a holland and barrett next door. Will get sorted tomorrow.

I live in Northern Canada. Our recommendation for adults is a maximum of 4000 units from all sources, including food and sunlight. Overdoses of Vit D can cause other issues. If you’re taking super high doses get your bloods checked regularly.

It's pretty difficult to overdose on Vit D. Overdoses happen rarely and with people who are taking 60,000 iu a day. There was just another study out of Austria saying that people live significantly longer if they have adequate Vitamin D levels. It's pretty difficult to maintain adequate levels in the northern countries like the UK and particularly difficult if you have dark skin.

My doctor recommended the 3000iui spray for winter and the 1000iui one April to September.

Mine are definitely better on blood tests now and I feel better for it too.

B vitamins and magnesium also important for fatigue symptoms.

I take 10000iu a day, will probably switch to every other day when my levels get back up.