vitamins D…: I was just given a Vitamin D (and... - LUPUS UK

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Willow7733 profile image
9 Replies

I was just given a Vitamin D (and calcium) prescription. I am low on vitamins D…why have me take calcium too?

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Willow7733 profile image
Willow7733
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9 Replies
HealthCoachLupus profile image
HealthCoachLupus

Hi Willow! Vitamin D, calcium and vitamin K2 work together to help strengthen your bones. It's very common to be prescribe them together, especially if you're on a steroid medication.

One thing I would say is, if you are low the 600iu vit d that the NHS normally prescribe won't do anything to raise your blood vit d levels. You'll need more like 2000iu vit D.

Please don't just take my word for it, give it a google. There are many different ways to take vit D: capsules, drops, injection. If you are seriously low then maybe talk to them about a Vit d injection.

If you decide that your prescription isn't strong enough, and want to purchase some yourself, make sure you buy "Vit D3" - it's the better form.

Two of my favorite brands are Thorne and Pure Encapsulations. They don't have any nasties added to them 👍

As I said before, make sure to do your own research, and don't just take a random person on the Internet word for it 😬😅

HealthCoachLupus profile image
HealthCoachLupus in reply to HealthCoachLupus

To answer your question. If you're low on Vit D then it's highly likely your bones are low in calcium. Vit d3 and vit k2 are needed to help store calcium in your bones. Hope that helps 👍

posthinking01 profile image
posthinking01 in reply to HealthCoachLupus

Hi there - you have to be very very careful with D as the levels can rise quite considerably - D actually pulls into the body calcium and if you are prone to kidney issue you can get calcification and stones - over calcification can clog up the arteries - many cases of this happening now and at one time a heart specialist complaining how many people he was seeing needing open heart surgery - my brother in law included who took a spoonful of cod liver oil a day ! It just depends how your body metabolises the D if you have a deficient pathway then it can cause issues - I am only taking 400 IU's at the moment and my levels have increased considerably. If you are being regularly tested to see how your levels are responding all well and good but if not then you need to know what is going on I would have thought ?

BukkyApampa profile image
BukkyApampa

Calcium is needed for the body to absorb vitamin D so they’re often prescribed together. Coincidentally I attended the lupus day information this weekend and they talked about this, if your rheumatologist prescribed it, they’ve probably given you enough, I learnt that there is such thing as having too much which can cause its own issues. I wasn’t aware of that so I intend to get a blood test soon to check, I’ve been on 2000iu for years and it’s never been reviewed.

KnitSewPurl profile image
KnitSewPurl

Vit D is always given together calcium or vice versa. They come in tablet form quite large or effervescent under the NHS. They come as standard dose unless your GP thinks you need to have larger amounts of it

The Max dose per day you can can have for Vit D is 4000iu. Make sure you total up all other Vit that you are taking as well. (Pls look up on Google NHS health) They actually give you guidelines of how much you can take per day .

There is beneficial in taking them

1: for our bones

2: Vit D is not just for bones it is also help with immune function

3. Help with repairing any thing that needs

4: it does gives us a boost of energy when taken.

This I have noted it is strange I am not sure why or what it does but it does makes my mind clearer and does gives me a real energy boost. Compared to days when I have forgotten to take it 😅😂. Yes I have experimented on myself just to see if it actually works. In a weird sense it does. Even my hubby found it does. Even he takes medium strength dose because of lethargy and constant tiredness and feeling sleepy all the time with his pulse rate dropping to 30bpm at rest which is dangerously low. Compared to his rest at 50 -60bmp. With the Vit D it has managed to bring his heart rate up to normal and he had more energy.

So ,pls do take the Vit D and Calcium. It will be beneficial to you. If you are being prescribed Alendronic Acid I would say pls do some research on that before taking it.

Apologies it is long .take care

soul22 profile image
soul22

Hi nice to meet you 😊

Reason for vitamins d with calcium is your body requires them together for fullest absorption into your body.

More effective apparently

I'm on it to

Regards m

Poshcards profile image
Poshcards

Gosh, you are lucky to get a prescription for Vit D, I have to buy mine and my count is very very low x

Willow7733 profile image
Willow7733 in reply to Poshcards

Very lucky. He was really wanting to take his time and talk to me this appointment. Usually he says I look fine (without actually looking at the joints that are giving me trouble), and the appointment lasts less than a minute. It would really frustrate me after waiting 5 months to see him! But this time... wow! We spoke for over an hour and I finally got him to say something. Some questions were answered without me even having to ask. Then he saw my GP ordered blood tests and he noticed that my Vitamin D was very low and gave me the prescription. My GP never even commented on it the last two appointments I had (for other reasons). I just thought it must be fine then.

Polaris profile image
Polaris

Dr Kate Rheaume Bleue wrote the book, “The Calcium Paradox - How a Little Known Vitamin Could Save Your Life” :

doctorkatend.com/vitamin-k2....

A lot of interesting information about vitamin K2 on her website and why it should be taken with vitamin D3 and calcium.

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