Has anyone else been prescribed Colecalciferol VitD3 ?

[Nora-B]

Here I am, panicking again.😏 Various health issues at the moment and blood test revealed very low Vit D. I have been prescribed high dose (20000u) Dosage 1 capsule twice a week for 7 weeks. I am freaking out at the high.dosage, having read about Vit D toxicity. even though doctor told me it would restore my energy . By the time I have read and re- read the slip that came with the capsules and I am all of a dither. When I read what other people are suffering in.mamy ways I feel almost.ashamed of myself for getting in a tizzy. I would love.to.hear.if anyone else has actually been.prescribed this.strength of D3 and if so, how they got.on.with it.

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[Fearoffear]

I take 2000u vitamin D3 a day. Max dose not to exceed a day is 4000u, unless prescribed by your gp. So 20000u twice a week is max benefit for short term of 10 weeks or less. Your doctor will then test you levels and if they are back in the normal range you will probably get a maintenance dose from there. It does give you a pep in your step. I have been on my dose since May now and feel fine. I also take AREDS 2 and calcium, vitamin K and D3 in a chew called viactiv. If you are still concerned have your doctor go over your treatment plan with outcome and next step to put you at ease. Hope I helped a little bit. Gentle hugs 🫂🫂

[Nora-B in reply to Fearoffear]

Thank you so much for your reassuring reply.. Having searched HU for Colecaciferal and finding only one post that even mentioned it., I was convinced that I was alone with such a high dose prescription.. I have also been prescribed an alternative cholesterol drug which am also afraid to take. Two new prescriptions in one day was too much.for me to deal with in my fevered brain.. I came away from the doctor feeling elated, having felt listenedf to and assured that my energy levels woiuld be restored after taking the D3 I was in a state of euphoria. It was not until I got home and faced the reality that panic set in. Thanks for hugs. Much needed..x

[MollyStark]

It's a short term dose to raise your levels. I had 25000 for a month, then down to 5000. Make sure you take it with your meal which has the most fat in it, that will aid absorption. Take vit K3 with it if you also take calcium supplements.

A good level of Vit D3 is essential for bone health, as well as other things. Don't be shy of the sun either.

[Nora-B in reply to MollyStark]

Am grateful for the response I am getting. Of course it all.makes sense..Was your 25000 all in.one dose.and once a week or twice? Have been feeling rubbish for some time and lockdown has not helped. Had so.many weird symptoms and access to gp.difficult as many people have found. Bright lights eere something.that I could.not tolerate so even if there was sun I couldn't cope. That seems to be.improving.and am doiing.my best to get a little sunshine each day..Just sbout recovering from.kidney infection that.knocked me for six. The list goes on....Much too long a story.Thank you again

[MollyStark in reply to Nora-B]

Mine was a daily dose for a month. My vitamin D levels were tested as part of osteoporosis screening. Vitamin D level should ideally be a minimum of 75 and above to aid bone health - but it also helps in so many other ways. Not getting too heavy about it, the sun is our life force, without it we'd all die. So it makes sense that we need a healthy level of vitamin D to feel good.

[Nora-B in reply to MollyStark]

Wow. 25000.per day? I can't believe I am fussing about 20000 twice a week. Many thanks. x

[Dolphin14]

Short term high dose is very common. Getting that level up there is important for mental health and bone health.

Personally I would take it.

🐬

[Nora-B in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you. A friend suggested.I take vitamin D3 ages ago.. She takes 1000u per day.. Having had little chance to have access to much sunshine over the last several months it makes sense to bite the bullet and take it. I hadn't realised the stremgth of the prescription.until I actually received it..A few years ago my gp put me on Adcal.but I don't recall feeling particularly energised. This is a whole new ball game it would seem and I was not aware that this is.as common as you say. I appreciate the response. I am such a ninny.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Nora-B]

It's known that low vitamin D level can cause low mood.

You are not a " ninny" it's something new and it's good to ask questions and do your research. You just have to be careful what you read.

If you have more concerns speak with your Dr.

I just had a recent level drawn. My Dr did discuss with me that depending on the level there would be the possibility of higher dose prescription. She explained in depth. My level ended out being low normal so I'm just on over the counter D3.

🐬

[Superzob]

I've had this level of dosage before. It's very important to get your Vit D levels up, particularly during a pandemic because the body uses it to produce white blood cells, crucial for a good immune response. Fortunately, the last week or so has been very sunny, and 20 minutes out in the sun is all you need to produce enough Vit D for a day if you're fair skinned (more if you're darker). I'm sure you'll be fine with it.

[Nora-B in reply to Superzob]

.Hi Superzob. I am grateful.for the reassuring replies I have had and hearing you say you have had the same level before is another such reply..Just what I needed to hear..Yes we have had some lovely sunshine but I have been struggling a bit and it has been SO hot..Bought myself a second fan to.keep cool and seems to.have been raining most days since. Our weather has become very fickle and today has been.so cold at times. Be that as it may.getting out when possible has to be the best way to.boost VitD.levels and lift mood. Do you.take any supplements now or do you soak.up the sun (or both).?.,The doctor was very positive about this Vit...I hear what you say about current circumstances. Thank you x

[Superzob]

Glad you're getting encouraging replies - it's what these forums are for, after all! Yes, I still take a 400iu supplement - can't do any harm and you can't be too careful.

Take care.

[Nora-B in reply to Superzob]

I think I could manage the 400iu I.just freaked out at.the 20000 dosage but if it is to.work quickly..it makes. sense. I.have just read too.much about vitD toxicity and scared myself. Did YOU have any.misgivings or were you just accepting and.grateful. i over think I am.afraid..I.often joke that I must have been poisoned in a previous life. 😑 😊

[Superzob in reply to Nora-B]

Yes, I broke myself in gently with one a week, but that was because I tend to react to new meds; but I had no ill effects whatsoever, so I completed the course. As far as I'm aware, I have no current deficiency, but half the UK population does.

[Nora-B in reply to Superzob]

Just taken my first. .Did you take one a week until you.finished them or did you progress to 2. And how long was the course originally for? Sorry so.many questions but it is helping me to be brave. Thank you. And hopefully it will help others who , like me, are uncomfortable with new meds (or even old ones come to that) I really didn't expect many replies 🙂

[Superzob in reply to Nora-B]

Can’t remember, but I’m sure I got up to the recommended dose at some stage. Not very helpful, I know, but now you’ve had the first one I suspect nothing untoward will happen, so take the next after a week; then, if still OK, take 2 the next week - I’m sure you’ll be OK.

[roninmd]

Yes. I was prescribed 10000 (70000 a week) units a day for two months then 4000 units a day maintenance. Some people are prone to having low vitamin D levels. Genetics, lack of sun exposure, ethnicity, etc.. . . Can make significant difference in how you feel. It assists with neurotransmitters like serotonin etc. . . I have terrible anxiety and starting anything scares the heck out of me. You will not get vitamin D toxicity from that dose. 40000 a week (20000 IU twice a week) for 7 weeks = about 5700 IU a day. You are going to be fine. You may be presently surprised at how getting your vitamin D to a adequate level can help. Be honest with your doctor and yourself. If you can't bring yourself to take it let him know and figure something out, even if that means taking chewable over the counter vitamin d3 from the pharmacy/store at a dose you feel comfortable with.. It will just take longer to get to an adequate level where it may provide some relief. It can really help. Vitamin d toxicity is rare and a result of taking tens of thousands units daily over an extended period of time like months/years. Ask yourself, have you ever met someone or known someone who had vitamin d toxicity? Nope. You most likely never will. Your doctor used a formula to calculate how much vitamin D3 you need at what dose to bring you to an adequate level where you are no longer deficient. Nowhere near a level associated with toxicity. I hope this reassurance helps. Best wishes. . .

[Nora-B in reply to roninmd]

Yes indeed, your teply was most reassuring and .helped to.keep things in perspective.As I.have said before HU a great place to come to if feeling overwhelmed by any health concerns..It is so easy to imagine the.worst but I am so impressed by the assistance available here by people who are willing and able to put one's mind at rest.. Just using Dr Google is enough to scare the living daylights out of ANYONE. Having had one dose at the moment it is my intention to.keep to the plan This doctor not only listens to me but hears and is aware of my med anxiety..He more less assured me I would be feeling much more lively by the end of the 7 weeks. I must have faith..Time will tell Many thanks 😊

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[Manchesterman]

Don't worry at all regarding cocalciferol,in fact I got into the habit of buying over the counter from chemist last year. We obviously have less natural sunlight in the UK, and are often restricted to it by a culture of high work demands ,staying indoors etchaikovsky. There is actually a body of evidence that proposes good levels of vitamin Dan can positively prevent cancer,principally colon cancer. Go on line ,Google Dan and it's role in prevention of cancer. To be honest the dosage your on is actually ,way lower than any risk of toxicity concerns. Keep taking the tablets and dig your own reading out on line. Keith

[Nora-B in reply to Manchesterman]

Thank you Manchesterman. I came across a video on line today and it wouldcseem that not a lot of doctors make a point of testing for vitD3 deficiency.. , My physio suggested some time ago thst I get tested for this and b12..Private doctor did full blood test. Opened up a whole can.of worms but at least he is leaving.no.stone unturned to discover why I have been feeling so rough.. Could be something to do with 'Tempus Fugit'. 😊However I have high hopes that at least, whatever else crops up I will have strength to deal with it. I have an enquiring mind. I am.not sure it is always a good idea. One of my sons says I overthink and.am driving myself mad. Hey ho.. 🙄😊

[houston8]

i had very low vitD levels. i don’t remember how long i took it but the dose was 50,000 units of Drisdol( ergo calciferol- a form of cholecalciferol ) once a week. Then when my levels were high enough went to 2,000 a day of cholecalciferol.

[Nora-B in reply to houston8]

HI houston8. There seems to be more people on these high doses than I had anticipated..I fact, my dose of 20,000 twice a week seems quite moderate in comparison. Did you feel a lot better after you had completed the course? I have just completed week 2 of 7 weeks..My doctor says I look better and I should be feeling much better in another week or so. I have so many scary things going on healthwise at the mòment; things that my.local health centre did not pick up on. Thank you for your response

[houston8 in reply to Nora-B]

oh i feel the same but this was part of a whole getting healthier including reducing weight& blood pressure, exercise, eat better etc