Vitamin D3 daily dose

[Ma991e]

I take 1 capsule of 800 IU Colecalciferol equivalent to 20 micrograms vitamin D3. Is this enough?

My bone density continues to go down but I can't tolerate any of the meds given previously. Injections recommended but will be in my body for 6 months and fear side effects.

[Met00]

You need to know your blood D level in order to know how much supplement to take. Along with this, you need to decide what blood level you consider optimal. The NHS normal range is usually stated as 50-150nmol/litre, but many rheumatologists recommend at least 75nmol/litre and some experts say 100 (only in the middle of the normal range) or even higher. It's possible you may have a blood level of 75nmol/litre on 800iu of supplement, although it's more likely you'll need 1000iu or higher. I have to take over 2000iu to keep my blood level over 100, and 800iu only got it to around 65. As well as Vitamin D, it's recommended to take Vitamin K2-MK7 (helps send calcium to your bones, not the same as K/K1)) and magnesium. Calcium should be from diet if possible, but supplement as necessary to make up any shortfall. Not everyone tolerates magnesium supplements, but it's quite a challenge to get sufficient from diet.

As far as medication is concerned, the injection you mention (every 6 months) is likely to be prolia (denosumab), which is for life or, if stopped, has to be followed by a bisphosphonate (Alendronic Acid tablets or Zoledronic infusion) to reduce the risk of rebound fractures. If you can't tolerate bisphosphonates, that would leave you in a very precarious situation if you started prolia and then needed to stop.

[Ma991e in reply to Met00]

Thankyou this has been very helpful

[ROSModerator Partner]

Hi Ma991e ,

Thanks for sharing with our community Just wanted to drop by to share our factsheet that covers lots of information about vitamin D (including D3): strwebprdmedia.blob.core.wi...

Bearing in mind that our community cannot offer medical advice, it may also be helpful to chat this through with one of our specialist helpline nurses. We would welcome you to get in touch: theros.org.uk/information-a...

Making decisions about our health can bring up lots of worries so we really hope you find the support that helps you find what's best for you

Wish you all the best,

Lulu

ROS Moderator

[salagoo]

Hi Ma991e - I get my blood level of vitamin D checked by my GP every six months for about the past 15 years - this is so that I can keep the level of D in the optimal replete range. Currently my level is around 160 nmol/L and I take 2,500 iu of vitamin D3 per day in the winter and every other day in the summer when I get some more D from the sun.

[Ma991e in reply to salagoo]

Thanks Salagoo this is helpful. Good of you to take time to answer and share your experience

[Midori]

You really need a blood test to ascertain what you D3 level is first.

Cheers, Midori

[Ma991e in reply to Midori]

Thanks Midori. The D3 dose I'm on is based on my blood test. So this is reassuring.

[Met00 in reply to Ma991e]

Do you know your blood test results? Just be aware that many GPs will say a blood level of 50 nmol/litre is OK, whereas many rheumatologists say it should be at least 75 and some experts say 100 or even higher. 100 is only in the middle of the normal range. My GP didn't prescribe a supplement, even though I was actually slightly deficient by NHS standards, at 47nmol/litre. She called it "borderline normal"!

[Ma991e in reply to Met00]

Thanks Met00. Much appreciated

[tangocharlie]

Personally I think the risk of not taking any bone protection meds far outweighs any from taking it and Vit D in itself won't save your bones if as you say they are already deteriorating. Spinal fractures are horrendously painful as I've learned the hard way. There are lots of different options and you don't have to settle for the cheapest which is probably alendronic acid. I'd have a read on the ROS website and then discuss your options with your doctors

[Ma991e in reply to tangocharlie]

Thanks for this Tangocharlie. I appreciate your insights and value you sharing your experience.