Vit D3 Mystery

[Lupiknits]

I went to collect my usual monthly prescription. When I got home there was an extra package containing 20,000 IU of Vit D3 with instructions to take two a month for three months. I already take 10,000 IU of Vit D3 a day on advice of a GP some time ago. Three years or so ago I had very low VitD3 and had a "loading dose" followed by (can't remember) how much more, then the 10,000 daily units daily.

When I looked at my online record, I see it is based on advice from my rheumy, so I imagine my VitD levels must have been low in the rheumy's recent tests.

Nobody sees fit to tell or ask me any questions. I expect I need to contact GP to point this out. Granted the sun is never allowed to touch my bare unscreened flesh, so the deficiency is likely. If I'm taking approx 300,000 IU per month, why am I prescribed what amounts to 40,000 a month? Maths may be wrong!

Where's the Vit D I take going? It's a b**%** this for a game of soldiers day.

[whisperit]

Hmmm, sounds like you're right about needing to raise this with your GP. According to this review ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... , it sounds like a daily supplement of 10,000 IU ought to be plenty, especially if you have been on it for some time already. But what do I know? x

[PMRpro]

If you are still low on the 10,000IU/day - which is about the limit of what they say is safe to take - the mind boggles where it is hiding!!! It is possible to not absorb it of course - in which case, oral vit D is a bit of a waste of time! And maybe they need to consider that.

[Lupiknits in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks to you and whisperit. It's a bit scary what could happen to a "doctor's right" patient. Always good to have the forum to turn to for advice ⭐️

[PMRpro in reply to Lupiknits]

I wouldn't be their patient for long! Though I know it is difficult...

[Lupiknits in reply to PMRpro]

This practice is actually five star compared to the one I changed from 18 months ago!

Will see tomorrow what GP has to say .....*sigh*

[BillScotland]

I always get ' copied in' by letter after a visit to my rheumatologist as she writes to my other consultants.

I can also phone her secretary.

Unsure if the system is different here in Scotland though

[Lupiknits in reply to BillScotland]

It's considered good practice here, but only happens for me with a different specialist. I have to chase copies of letters myself.

[bedboundjules]

Don’t be alarmed by the amount. I was prescribed 50,000 per day weekly 350,000mg so if your body doesn’t have any than that’s what they do. I couldn’t take it due to nasty side effects. We worked out another schedule. Last blood test I had low b12,b6, and d again. What the heck???? lol

[Cubiche]

I am currently taking Vit D 50000 units once a week my reumathologist said is because we do not get enough sun which we cannot take and these help prevent osteoporosis as well because we take so much steroids.