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How much is too much D3

Deee64 profile image
23 Replies

Any views on taking 10,000 iu d3 daily? There’s evidence that it’s ‘safe and well tolerated’

I went to see my bone consultant today, he wasn’t impressed by me taking this amount but my calcium level is good and my dexa results have gone from -2.6 to -2.1 in 2 years

I also take k2 and magnesium , which , is hopefully getting the d3 to my bones.

He never asked about any of this, but said he’d send for me for another dexa scan at the end of the year , and if t scores are going the wrong way we’ll look at the alendronic acid, which I’ve refused up to now

Just wondered if anyone had any , similar views or experience

I dont post often but healthunlocked has been my best friend in my osteoporosis journey and have learnt so much from all the helpful members xx

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Deee64 profile image
Deee64
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23 Replies

It's my understanding that if you were consuming too much vit d for your body it would create uncomfortable digestive symptoms for you. That said Michael Greger of nutrition facts.org recommend 2,000 iud daily and has a comprehensive series of videos explaining why, so maybe you don't need that much because you'll still get some from the sun and your food. (Does your thyroid work ok? I've read previously that dysfunction can inhibit vit d absorption)

I take 10,000iu VitD3 a day, my last lab showed my level at 90, doctor was thrilled. I have Lupus, and it's hard to get our levels up. I also take 180mcg K2/Mk7, divided doses of magnesium throughout the day, silica, strontium, boron. When summer rolls around I reduce it to 5000iu per day.

MWZ3 profile image
MWZ3

You are doing so well so no way would I consider the drugs. Sadly, very few doctors look at the science or studies in relation to osteoporosis. Or even the causes! I’m guessing you’re also addressing the best foods for osteoporosis like yoghurt, leafy greens, oily fish, avocado, fruit and vegetables. Walking if you can for weight bearing exercise is also recommended.

scd2211 profile image
scd2211

From everything I’ve heard from consultants and read the safe daily limit is 4,000 iu Vit D3 which I take with Vit K2.

Deee64 profile image
Deee64

Thanks for your replies

Doctor did another blood test yesterday so I’m sure he’ll be in touch, as my vitamin d reading will defo still ge high , so see what he says , I’m going to reduce my vit d for summer, feel like it’s a guessing game of what to do 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have no intention of taking the AA at tte moment , hopefully somethings with less side effects might come along when I need to!

Zumbablue profile image
Zumbablue

I was advised to take 1,000iud a day. Following a blood test my GP rang to say my level was too high and to reduce to twice a week. Discussed this with the rheumatology nurse at the hospital and she agreed that this would be OK.

Met00 profile image
Met00 in reply to Zumbablue

I'm really surprised your blood D was too high on 1000iu daily. Do you have the results of your blood test?

Zumbablue profile image
Zumbablue in reply to Met00

no - it was a phone call some time ago

Met00 profile image
Met00 in reply to Zumbablue

If you're in the UK you can ask your GP receptionist for a copy of your results. I always check mine because my GP once said my blood D was ok when it was below range!

Zumbablue profile image
Zumbablue in reply to Met00

thank you

Titchyj profile image
Titchyj

hi, I had low VIT D, (49), but I can’t take high doses because it causes my calcium to increase and this in turn exacerbates my Sarcoidosis, to be able to have a ZOLENDRONIC Acid infusion it has to be over 50 (every 18 months) I’m now taking 600 iu. I had blood test yesterday so waiting the results of that. I’m between a rock and a hard place at the moment as to whether I will be able to have the infusion or not. I can’t even sit in the sun for Vit D it’s just trial and error at the moment.

Hope you can get the answers you need and treatments.

Jan

Met00 profile image
Met00

The recommended daily limit is 4000iu and most of us shouldn't need even that much. If you have absorption problems you may need more, but it's essential to take Vitamin K2 and magnesium (which I see you're doing) if you're taking high doses of Vitamin D. The only way to know how much you need is to monitor with blood tests. Many experts recommend a blood level of at least 75nmol/litre (30ng/ml), some say 100nmol/litre (40ng/ml) and a VERY few say higher than that. Most experts say blood level shouldn't be over 150nmol/litre (60ng/ml). You need to be certain which units you're measuring in - the UK uses nmol/litre, the USA used ng/ml. I used to take 4000iu to keep my blood level over 100nmol/litre, but then I managed to get my IBS under better control and my blood level shot up to over 170nmol/litre! I now only need 2000iu, so this shows how things can change and therefore how important it is to monitor blood level.

restlesspegs profile image
restlesspegs

Having dexa results improve from -2.6 to -2.1 in 2 years is outstounding. No way I'd be considering AA at those numbers. Are those for your femoral neck or spine? My spine is improving but my femoral neck is getting worse, unfortunately.

Raleigh59 profile image
Raleigh59

which k2 do you take?

The dr might think too much vit D can clog arteries ? Idk my dr said it’s good I take 5000 per day and my vid D is 49 which is good. but my only dexa results are not as good as yours. So I maintain good vitamin D take magnesium , calcium, now take K2 mk4 every day. Strontium citrate at night.

Maybe you also do exercise or do osteo strong

Deee64 profile image
Deee64 in reply to Raleigh59

I take a combined d3, k2 mk7 , bit reluctant to lower d3 as I’d be lowering k2 as well ?

Aloysia profile image
Aloysia

I was supposed to take 10,000 vit D for 3 months to increase my low D level, then re-test. I forgot and just kept taking it for too long. This caused me to get kidney stones. 10,000 is supposed to be for short term only. Of course, everyone's body is different and will react differently.

jamr profile image
jamr in reply to Aloysia

The issue with taking Calcium and Vit D without Vit K2 is that Do only transports the calcium, K2 is required to place it in the bones and teeth not in the kidneys and blood vessels, so you need K2 levels to match your D intake. 10,000iu is very high, some say its the maximum safe level (sunshine D levels absorption shuts out at 10kiu0).

Mavary profile image
Mavary

my vitamin D dropped quite low and I was given 3,200 IUs of Vitamin D. I am now on Vitamin D 800 IUs.

Jubux profile image
Jubux

There is still a great deal of ignorance about vitamin D, including among so-called osteoporosis specialists. The standard vitamin D blood test measures 25D, principally because it is cheap to test. However, it is only a precursor to the active form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (expensive and difficult to test) which is what actually matters. Having too much 1,25D is every bit as bad for the strength of bones as too little, so what we all really should be doing is attempting to make sure that our 1,25D is within range. Many people’s metabolism can sort out “overdoses” of 25D by not converting it to 1,25D, but this is not true for everyone. Those with a disease involving granulomas, such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, convert 25D to 1,25D much faster than normal, so their 25D may be extremely low even though their 1,25D is in range or too high. Those with other inflammatory conditions may also convert 25D to 1,25D faster than normal, albeit not as aggressively. I would suggest that anybody who might be in this position should not take extra vitamin D without having their 1,25D tested. A low 25D does not necessarily mean one is deficient!

Bubba3xt profile image
Bubba3xt

I know I've read several times that the fat soluble vitamins should be taken separate times of the day to decrease the competition. Then I read D3 and k2 should be taken together so I'm not sure about that. I still take D3 in am K2-mk7 at lunch, magnesium at bedtime. I do think tho that taking a massive amount of one of the fat soluble vitamins would definitely decrease the absorbability of the others. More isn't usually better.

jamr profile image
jamr

Can you please tell us what age you are to give some context to your 2.6 to 2.1 reduction in dexa score?

Nightingales profile image
Nightingales

I was advised by the drs that did my osteoscan to take 5000iud daily. After about six months my rheumatologist did routine tests and said my Vit D was too high, to go off it for a month then resume on the calcium/Vit D chewable. I read about needing more so I am confused.

Met00 profile image
Met00

5000iu is likely to be too high for most people. The only way to know how much you need is to monitor blood level. I aim to keep my blood level between 100 and 120 nmol/litre (UK)

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