D3 supplementation

[JanKindon]

I had my D tested (finally) a couple of months ago and the result came back bang on the lowest end of my range at 25. My GP said as it wasn't below 25 he couldn't (wouldn't probably) prescribe, and to go off and find some myself (helpful ... not)

I have tried softgels but reacted badly to high, midrange and low doses, with headaches vertigo and itching, so I bought an inactive ingredient free liquid (as I do react to some inactive ingredients) but still reacted the same!

I live in the SW (barely any sunshine, plenty of rain) and work during the day so getting out in in mostly naked (scary thought) is nigh on impossible. I haven't researched further into how I'm to get my daily dose of sunshine, although I did wonder if a sunbed/shower might do the trick, but finding the time to do that is nigh on impossible too with me being self-employed.

Sooooooo are there any of you out there that have experienced this roadblock as regards D3 supplementation and have you found other ways of getting adequate amounts without pills or liquids?

TIA all

[annie-7]

Hi JanKindon, my level was 27 in February 2015, but in June (with supplementation) had risen to 112. I had problems with some vitamin D3 preparations, seemed very sensitive to it. I burn within 15 minutes in the sun, not that there is much sun here in the SW!

The one that worked for me was Thorne Research VitD3/K2 drops (Amazon). The ingredients are: Two Drops Contain:

Vitamin D (as Vitamin D3) 1,000 IU.

Vitamin K (as Vitamin K2 (Menatetrenone))* 200 mcg.*MK4

Other Ingredients: Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil, Mixed Tocopherols.

One drop is 500IU, I started with just one drop for a few days, finally getting up to 6 drops (3000IU). I take mine in half a teaspoon of coconut oil, and it seems to have worked well and the chronic pain I had has almost disappeared. Hope this helps!

[JanKindon in reply to annie-7]

Thanks Annie, I've used Thorne Research supplements before and haven't been so good on them, plus am trying to avoid anything with too many fillers :/

[bantam12]

Before supplementing its wise to get your calcium level checked.

The only vitd I can take is the BetterYou spray, I can only manage the lowest dose and only a couple of times a week. I actually don't take any now as I believe my body is happier with my vit d in the deficient range.

I can't take B12 either so supps just don't work for some of us.

[JanKindon in reply to bantam12]

Any particular reason why I should get my calcium levels checked Bantam?

I did look at the BetterYou D3 supps but discounted them due to the inactive ingredients

I'm OK on B12, been supplementing 5000mcg Jarrow's methycobalamin for several months now and my B12 levels are over 1000 now

[bantam12]

If your vitd is low and calcium is high it could indicate a parathyroid problem.

[JanKindon]

Thanks Bantam I've looked up the symptoms of hypo and hyperparathyroidism, and don't have any of the symptoms of either, not even the ones that are the same as hypothyroidism, apart from the tiredness, so I'm not concerned about having calcium levels checked

[hunny59]

Excuse me coming in on the end of an old posting Jan, but I saw your post on cortisol. Thinking some of the symptoms you listed there may be down to D3 deficiency, I followed through some of your other postings - I found when I started with D3 and initially increased the dose that I was getting some headaches, dizziness and the symptoms of my BPPV were returning, I then found the Vitamin D Wellness group on FB which advocates taking K2 with the D3 first thing in the morning and ensuring it's consumed with at least 14g of healthy fats. As soon as I started the K2, the headaches and dizziness have gone. Something to do with K2 helping to distribute calcium properly.

They have also done a lot of searching to find the best supplements with no fillers (they are vehemently and vocally against anything with fillers, which is great)

Hope this helps.