Hi, thank you again for your help regarding vitamin d. Discussed my result if 28nmol with doc last week and prescribed adcal. On arriving home realised it had a fruity flavouring, contacted ProStraken and discovered it's not suitable for me, having a latex allergy.
I'm researching suitable alternatives and have found Biocare Bio-d 4 drops for 400iu and Higher Nature Vit d3 500iu gelcaps with sunflower oil so far, which seem ok additive wise. I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on favouring the drops to gelcaps please?
I've been advised to take 800 iu per day- realise that's not as high as you've been rec I take.
Also I've been told to take calcium too ( and have been referred for a bone density scan due to my low body weight and low vit d) and wondered if anyone has any suggestions for better types of calcium please?
Am continuing to research, but just wondered if anyone has had any good experiences taking drops compared to caplets.
Many thanks...Jo
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Jo, if your doc is referring you for a bone density scan has he/she also referred you to a metabolic bone consultant? GP should have done but I would check this. The consultant will look at the treatment you need and Has the power to describe much higher doses for a short time period to get you vit d up and also will check your calcium uptake plus effects of high dosage vit D. He/she will do follow up so much better for you and will do a follow up scan to make sure you are back on track. They should also be able to prescribe the vit d in latex free capsule as they have a much wider script availability then the GP surgery.
I had a reading 3nmol of vit D resulting in a bone breaking sowasunder one for about a year or so-they were great and got me sorted out.
Thanks waveslines, no ive been referred for the bone scan, not a consultant, I guess that would happen if there is a problem with the scan? I had a calcium and parathyroid test which were okay, which is why I didn't think I'd need to take calcium, as I've read it works alongside magnesium so am guessing I should be supplementing that too. I've just ordered some biocare drops, only 100iu per drop, but thought I could be making a start with that whilst I research it further.
Ive always drinker plenty of milk and dairy, but had a problem with concurrent sinusitis and found the only relief was to avoid dairy. Up until about 3 years ago the rice milk I drank was supplemented with calcium, but oddly when they decided to change the recipe and add d2 and b12 I couldn't tolerate it, so am hoping this hasn't had an effect on my bones!
Sorry to hear you've had problems, but really glad to hear you've been well looked after and better now. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply...Jo
Hi wa eyeliners, many thanks for your reply. Sorry for the slow reply, have had problems with my eyes and had to have a break from using the computer, very frustrating when there's so much to research on here!
I've not been referred to anyone, just told I've got to have a bone density scan. I had my calcium and parathyroid levels checked and told they were fine, is this what you mean about calcium uptake please?
I opted for the drops to begin with as I can increase them gradually. The doc rec 800iu a day, but it seems this is quite different to what most people would recommend!
Glad to hear you were well looked after and got sorted out...many thanks for your help x
Jo5454, Several members have reported that vitD3 sprays are very effective.
I personally wouldn't supplement calcium without a blood test to determine whether your level is high or low. I was also vitD deficient <10 and prescribed 40,000iu softgel capsules daily x 2 weeks and 2,000iu daily for 8 weeks. VitD rose to 107.
I am very underweight and had a DEXA scan in June because TSH is suppressed post thyCa. I have mild osteopenia but wasn't prescribed anything. VitD was tested in Dec after 9 months supplementing 5,000iu and was 384 so I've cut back to 5,000iu per week and have a vitD test and calcium profile in May.
Hi clutter, many thanks for your reply, and sorry for slow reply, have had problems with my eyes, am wondering if it's linked to my b12 levels dropping down.
I had a calcium test and it was in range, but the doc said I still needed to take calcium with vit d? I have t sorted calcium supplement out yet, due to not being on here, as I think you have to supplement it alongside magnesium as they work together?
He told me 800 IU is enough each day? Doesn't sound like it will be...thanks for all of your levels and info, sorry to hear you've had such difficult times with your health...good to hear you've got your vit d levels up.
It wasn't suggested I retest vit d and calcium, but thanks to this site I know to ask for this after 3 months!
I had to give up dairy due to continual sinus infections but up until fairly recently was drinking a milk substitute with calcium, so hoping the scan will be okay. Depends on whether I e been absorbing properly I guess. Seeing as ferritin, b12 and vit d and low body weight could point to probs with this I guess. I've had my diet assessed couple of times by nhs dietician so and they can never really fault it, but will have to wait and see.
I can't take the sprays due to some ingredients, so have opted for drops for now until I can find a higher dosed product that's okay.
Many thanks...scuse mistakes, can't correct without deleting it all! Jo
I order my vitamin D3 from internetland. Carlson vitamin D3 4,000 IU gel caps containing lemon flavoured cod liver oil. No weird stuff. My average daily intake is 3,000 IU and vitamin d blood level last time was 117 nmol/ml.
My adult children take the 2,000 IU of same manufacturer. But they also take a mineral/vitamin supplement that contains 1,000 IU vitamin D3.
You get a goodly dose of vitamin A from the cod liver oil as well. So if you want to boost you vitamin A you can take 2 time 2,000 IU vitamin D3 per day.
They also make a vitamin K2 supplement 5mg of menotretanone. Only need take 2 capsules per week because half life in blood is long.
All good for bone metabolism.
If you take a calcium, look for a chelated form because that get absorbed along with a chelated magnesium (you need both for bones).
Hi gabkad, thanks so much for all of your info. Can you recommend a good calcium and magnesium supplement please? I'm now about to start researching one and wondered if you've any preferences?
Calcium and magnesium that is chelated with an amino acid is better absorbed than the oxides or citrates or gluconates.
So that would be calcium bisglycinate (glycine is a little amino acid) or magnesium glycinate or bisglycinate. They are more expensive but at least you don't poop them out.
I don't take calcium. I took magnesium glycinate for months to help with my back pain...... did nothing. So I'm taking a mineral hiatus.
I bought the Carlson brand magnesium glycinate from on line. Magnesium citrate is partly absorbed and can have some laxative effect. Magnesium oxide is just good as a laxative.
Some supplements contain a mix of these and they don't provide a breakdown as to how much of each is present so I'd avoid them.
Thanks Jackie, I've had calcium tested and it was within range. I don't eat dairy now, due to continual sinus infections, so maybe calcium would help? Thanks Jo
Hi Jo, No if calcium in range you should not take it as it can be dangerous.Infections can be zinc, safe to always take that and good for skin too.Vit D from GP is best if possible.
Thanks very much everyone for your help and replies. I've had funny eyes since writing the question, they're settling down now, but daren't push it, so will reply properly soon once I can read and take these in... Jo
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