Vitamin D3

[whwiechm]

I have been taking 5,000 units of Vitamin D3 for a couple of years. A friend said he heard of a study with MS patients taking 10,000 units and it helped their symptoms and disabilities. Does anyone have experience or comments?

[Fancy59 CommunityAmbassador]

whwiechm, It's Fancy 59. I also take 5000 Units of vitamin D3. I believe the easiest solution to your problem would be to ask your neurologist what he recommends. I don't think you can go wrong with a professional opinion and they should be up on the latest research as it relates there's something as important as Vitamin D3.

[MarkUpnorth]

I take 2000 Units / day, however the amount needed is determined by my doctor, who had me on I forget, some huge prescription only amount for a short time, and now leveled down to this amount, determined by blood testing. I only have it tested now once/year, and I seem to be holding right within the sweet spot. My wife, takes the same amount, but only 3x weekly. You have to be careful, as I'm told vitamin D3 is not water soluble, and you can build up too much, causing problems. So it may necessary to work with your doctor to get you into the recommended level.

[anaishunter]

Many studies tend to show that people diagnosed with MS have low vitamin D. This was certainly my case, and I worked with my neuro and primary care physician to take vitamin D and keep it in the upper range of what's normal. It started with 10,000 then down to 5,000, now 2,000. There's no question that it helped me feel better - not sure about MS symptoms.

BUT - you need to be really careful and not take too much as it can create other serious problems.

Bottom line, get your Vitamin D level tested. Then your doctor should be able to recommend the right level.

[Peruzzot]

You need to get blood tests done to see what your vitamin D levels are. Then work with your doctor to determine what level supplement you need. Vitamin D is one of those that too little is bad and too much is bad. You need to work with your doctor to determine what your sweet spot is. I take 5000 in the morning and 5000 in the evening and that barely keeps me on the low side of normal.

[kdali]

The dose is meaningless without a lab value. That said, I felt no different with a lab of 40 than I did with a lab of 70. I stay around 50-60 now just in case it helps me to avoid colds.

[palomino27]

I take 15000 this time of year in the winter. Usually 10000 in the late fall and early spring. And 5000 the rest. I also blood test about 6 times a year. I have found if my D level drops below 40 on a blood test my MS flares up quite bad.

[hairbrain4]

My Neuro started me on 10,000 several years ago to bring my level up. Then she had me taper down until my level was where she wanted it. I now take 5,000 daily. My blood is tested every 6 months. I didn't notice any difference in MS symptoms at the time but I do know that if I let myself run out & don't take it for a few days I do notice muscle pain.

[dianekjs]

The amount of Vitamin D to supplement with should always be guided by blood levels. Your doctor should be monitoring to keep you in an optimal range. Vitamin D has been proven to have benefit for many things including MS and neurological disorders, speak to your neurologist.

[Kenu]

I started years ago with 8000iu of vitamin D 3. Each year they do blood work for it. Couple years ago I went to 5000iu as it was on the high side. This January blood 🩸 work showed I was high side again so now it’s reduced to 2000iu now. Will see this fall on annual reports 🤷‍♂️. Anyway if you are doing vitamin D have bloodwork done so you know where you are at. Don’t know why but my system has kicked in and making it itself 👍🏼🤗

[whwiechm]

Thank you all for your replies. Be aassured that I am working with my neuro about this, I won't do anything without her approval. She is a PHD and an MD ( sometimes I wonder if she's treating me or just studying me). I sent her a note Monday and she immediately ordered blood work to check my D level which came back as 70, which is good. I mainly posted this for a second opinion of a sort. Thank you all.

[ahrogers in reply to whwiechm]

Sounds like you are on the right dose and don't need to take more

[Sandydemop]

hi, good to hear from everybody about this subject. when i was diagnosed my blood level was 17! my neurologist wants it between 50 and 60 but the functional medicine doc wants it closer to 100.

[mrsmike9]

My neuro initially had me on 5000 but from a blood test found that was too much. He cut it down to 2000 and has not changed it for years. Your Dr. should be able to tell from your blood if need more or not. Too much is not a good/healthy thing!

[Tazmanian]

My neurologist has me on 10000 mg my theory is if it's not hurting you do it

[Goldilockssearching]

my neuro has a standing order to draw a level. Get it 1-2 times per year. Adjust dose if needed but 5000/day has kept me in the range they are looking for for 5+ years

[agate]

I've been taking 5000 IU of vitamin D3 daily for many years--maybe 8 years? No problems so far but when I last had my blood levels checked, the level was fairly high but the doctor said she wanted to keep it at the high end.

[itasara]

I had read a lot of articles that said that it’s very unlikely that high amount of vitamin D is hurtful. For a while I was taking more than 5000iu a day and I felt great. I had never been tested before and when I did I was already taking vitamin D so I don’t know if I was ever deficient in it. I do know that I don’t spend hardly any time in the sun on a regular basis. Then my doctor at the time Called me in a panic and said my levels were way too high. so I cut down. I now have had a newer MS specialist (for about four years now,) and she recommended a lower amount so now I take about 2000 a day plus a little extra that comes in some of the other supplements.

[IFwczs]

I agree with those posts that recommend getting tested. I am on 10k myself, and my level is about 90 (it was about 20 when my first symptoms started showing) When I go on a sunny vacation, I reduce my intake to 5k.

My doctors have told me that the optimal level is 80-90. I heard a renowned doctor say that his patients were doing well at way over 100 because you can't really overdose on vitamin D.