Anyone know anything about Vitamin D

[booboo57]

Been feeling really exhusted lately so had some bloods done by the Dr. Just checked with the surgery about my results and everything is OK apart from Vit D which is a bit low, which fits with exhustion. I was told the Dr recommended an over the counter supplement. BUT I have been taking high dose (25 micro gramms) Vitamin D since it was recommended as part of protection from Covid so for at least a year. Should I just take more or could there be something going on which means I'm using it up too quickly or not absorbing it well enough. I asked the receptionist to pass on to the Dr that I was already taking a supplement.

I don’t know that much about it but when I was low, I was really low and was put on a high dose immediately. I’ve been taking the same as you since then.
Yours doesn’t seem to be too low? So taking what you have been may have pushed it up anyway.
The exhaustion could be lifestyle? Are you getting enough rest and sleep? What about diet? High carbs and sugar can cause tiredness too.

You can take up to 100ug /4000IU per day without medical advice. If you are deficient it sounds like you need more than 25ug to increase your levels.

Anyone know anything about Vitamin D

Yes. The D does not stand for Dick.

I was on the borderline of prescription being needed and they wouldn’t prescribe it as the nhs doesn’t fund it. I have a multivitamin and iron daily washed down with a glass of orange juice and a massive squirt of liquid vitamin d.

Three times in the last two years I’ve had a week or a few days without it eg moved house and it got mislaid, within two days I was crashed and could not move at all.

@toolazytothinkofausername

Anyone know anything about Vitamin D

Yes. The D does not stand for Dick.

Half term then?

25mcg is not high dose. I take 4000iu a day in winter and every other day in summer (but check my levels regularly to check they are optimal as too much vit d is toxic).

You probably need a higher dose. I take 4000iu a day. And are you taking it with a meal - it's fat soluble.

Do you know how low 'a bit low' is?

25micrograms is about 1000IU which is not a particularly big dose of you are deficient. Up to 4000IU can be taken daily safely.

My was Vit D was 15 when I was tested so the GP gave me 40,000IU a day for 5 days then maintenance dose of 2000IU daily. My levels are now around 95 which is fine.

If your levels were low to start with 1000 might not be enough to increase your levels significantly.

Vitamin d is fat soluble so you need to take it with something with fat in such as a glass of milk, or your main meal.

Lots of useful advice here thank you.
Didn't know about the fat solvuable thing as I'm taking with water first thing. I think I will take with milk and double my dose.
D is not for dick. Who knew!

I agree with others....you need about 4000iu a day

I had mine tested last week and my level was 9 which is (apparently) massively low. I’m on a big dose for ten days then a high maintenance dose, another blood test in three weeks.

Anything less than 20 is low according to the receptionist, because heaven knows there is no chance of seeing or even speaking to a GP atm at my surgery.

My partner had a blood vit D level of 6 when he was diagnosed deficient. It should be taken alongside magnesium, that helps the body absorb it better.

Spray. It absorbs better, plus a higher dose.

That’s a bit random Donosuria, a quick google shows that sprays come in different strengths and state that they are more convenient for those who prefer not to take pills rather than anything else,

I understood that the best way to take vitamin D was to take it with Vitamin K, this ensures it is absorbed correctly. I take a VitD with K supplement.

My GP has prescribed Vit D alone.

Can anyone recommend which vitamin d tablets to take please? I haven't had my levels checked, so don't know if I am deficient.
Also a recommendation for tablets for teens too please.
Thank you

Vitamin D in oil form is much better than the white tablets. I take 4000iu everyday since covid prompted it.

Can you recommend which to buy? Are they suitable for people who do not know if they are deficient? Thanks!

If i'm looking correctly 25mg is 1,000 IU. When DS was found to be deficient in summer 2020 the Dr said take 3,000 IU everyday, all year round forever. There is a spray which is great - one spray a day BetterYou, mint flavoured from Amazon 3,000 IU and about £6

Thank you. It's really confusing to know I'm what dosage to take!

Just returning to say I've been taking 1000 micro grams Vit D with milk every morning and I'm feeling sooo much better. The aches and exhustion have mostly gone. I'm not sure how long I will continue at that level but I think I'll keep going throughout the winter.

Hi @booboo57 ,

    I think there may be an error in your reported dose .    1000 micro grams is 40,000  IU.           I'm guessing you don't mean that.      Only in certain instances would a doctor prescribe that amount daily, in order to create a loading dose  , most likely , over  about seven days only.  ( making 280,000 IU in total )

           I'm  pretty sure you mean  1000  IU   per day.    which is 25 micro grams   ( mcg)   .      Alternatively -     IF you are taking 40,000 IU  ( 1000 microgram)  per day   for a month, you should cut it down now, and consult your doctor , about the optimal dose for you.  

             When an averagely responding adult , takes 1000 IU  per day , over the long term, then that person could most likely expect their blood level to rise by roughly 25 nmol/L  after 2 to 3 months, over and above their natural unsupplemented  blood level of vitamin D.   Once that  is reached , continued supplementaion , at that rate of 1000 IU daily ,  will generally  maintain the blood level at just that 25nmol/L  above the unsupplemented level.   In other words  , the blood level will not keep rising. An equilibrium will be reached.    IF you take only   4000  IU daily ,  then after 2-3 months, then your blood level would likely rise by 100 nmol/L - four times as much.   Although it is not exactly a linear relationship at higher and higher doses. 

 1 micro gram  is equal to 40  IU.

It seems you have found that vitamin D can help you improve the way you feel. Which is great. Just be a bit careful about how much you take. !!

best of luck, hope that is helpful.

If you need any more information , just get back.
BTBH
.

My DD some other health issues and they found her to be severely but D deficient and she is to take 10,000iu in oil form every day for 3 months.

That's an extreme dose though and prescribed by her oncologist.