Vitamin D deficiency

[Bump12]

Any advise on how I can increase my Vitamin D levels? Although I’m taking supplements (tried diff brands) still seems to be low? Any suggestions thank you xx

[Pnw2020]

Hi. Try a Vit D spray eg betteryou 3000. Make sure you retest after 4-6 weeks to make sure levels aren’t too high. They used to do a test/ report and spray included in the cost.

[Millbanks in reply to Pnw2020]

I used this too (the 5000) and my levels became too high so had to stop. So should do the trick xx

[Bump12 in reply to Millbanks]

Great will try this one thank you xx

[soccerkt6]

Hi lovely

What’s your level currently and how much have you been taking? When my levels were low, I found I had to take 10,000 IU/ day to get my levels up (it was also the winter when you need to supplement with more) and then I dropped back down to between 3,000 and 5,000 IU for maintenance.

You do definitely want to re-test after 2-3 months to see where you’ve got to, as you don’t want your levels to accidentally go too high xx

[Bump12 in reply to soccerkt6]

Even with the high dose it doesn’t seem to make any difference thats why keep thinking could there be an absorption problem? But not tried the 10,000/day will try that and see thank you xx

[MammaMia86]

My husband read that the vitamin D should be taken while you are eating, as it absorbs better. You can try that😉

[Bump12 in reply to MammaMia86]

Will try this thank you xx

[Junk41]

Get an oil supplement vit d3/vit k2 as it absorbs better and have it with a meal. Will increase :).

[Purple276 in reply to Junk41]

I'd agree with this as it helped get my levels up. 😊

[Bump12 in reply to Junk41]

Does it matter which brand? Will try thank you xx

[Seren0119]

I am on 4000 a day and it worked for me (Better You spray) x

[Bump12 in reply to Seren0119]

Seems to have worked for a few people will try this thank you xx

[Kmcdon]

I have low vitamin D levels. I was tested by my GP and now get vitamin D capsules on prescription. They are a high level so not sure they are available without a prescription. Also because they are on prescription they are free! They also do blood tests to check your levels don’t get too high.

[Bump12 in reply to Kmcdon]

Will speak to my Gp thank you xx

[islwyn]

Make sure you have enough Magnesium. It helps the conversation of vitD into usable form.

[Bump12 in reply to islwyn]

Oh didn’t know that will def look into it thank you xx

[Barbemily]

I usee good quality drops 5000 IUI and that did the trick. Also ofcourse when there is sun exposure itnis win win situation. I bumpeed mine in few weeks from super low to extreme high. Also maybe retest after few weeks and if number are not up doctor can always prescribe higher unit although Im sure you will not need it.

[Bump12 in reply to Barbemily]

Going to try this as I’m desperate to get my levels up thank you xx

[Koala365]

Vitamin D is fat solvable as I understand it so for it to be absorbed you need to take it with something which has some fat in so generally with a meal. Also I noticed that skimmed milk had a higher vitamin D content so I was drinking that but actually that is a false economy as you can't absorb it because all the fat has been skimmed off so it goes through you without being absorbed so i think it is better to have whole milk for best absorption or at least semi-skimmed if trying to also boost your vitamin d levels via diet as well as supplements

[Bump12 in reply to Koala365]

Didn’t know this thank you for the Information xx

[Koala365]

Typo - soluble not solvable

[Jana483]

I had the same problem until I took a very high dose weekly and it did get higher

[MariaHdz]

It happened the same to me. I was taking 1000iu daily. My levels were 20 (normal is around 30) Then they were 15. I started having joint and bone pain. Depression. I was very tired, my hair was falling as crazy and well, everyday I felt a bus had run over me when I woke up (my muscles hurt like if I was running marathons everyday). They checked it again and was in 5. They said I needed higher dosis. Now I am taking 50K per week, for 6 weeks each winter and summer. I feel a lot better. My advice? Go to the doctor so that they measure how low is it, why it is low and that they give you the best dosis for you to absorb. Apparently the "everybody is different" applies too to the vitamine dosis you need to improve deficiencies.

[Bump12 in reply to MariaHdz]

Will speak to my GP thank you xx

[KatieJourney]

Hi. It depends on how long is your Vitamin D deficiency. If it's under 25nmol , then usually you will require a loading dose of 300,000 within 6-10 weeks , then followed by maintenance dose of 800-2000 iu daily. Worth checking with your GP as they will usually prescribe high dose if you require it . If not , they will usually ask you to buy from pharmacy. If that's the case , you can just use 1000iu daily . I just happened to see it from Lidl earlier on today , 180 tablets of 25mcg for £1.99 , and most pharmacies sell generic version for about £1 for 30 tablets of 10mcg. Hope it helps.

[Bump12 in reply to KatieJourney]

Yeah definitely helps thank you x

[Ell493]

The sun is the best way to get it. Is it too cold outside to spend time in the sun?

[Savvy_teapot in reply to Ell493]

Hi Ell, You can't get enough Vit D being outside in winter. Also Vit D is absorbed by the skin so also a bit of a problem in Winter. That's why NHS recommends everyone takes a supplement during the winter.

[Ell493 in reply to Savvy_teapot]

When did I say to not take the supplements? I'm saying sun in addition to since they aren't working well enough. There's people all over the world in the group. It's not winter everywhere. That's why I was asking if it's cold where she is. Where I am it's winter but desert so will so get enough sun.

[Bump12 in reply to Ell493]

Live in England but not enough sun during the winter so have to depend on supplements x

[Savvy_teapot in reply to Ell493]

Sorry I just assumed you lived in the UK. 😞