Hi, my Vitamin D levels were recently tested and found to be low (29 nmol/L). Based on recommendations from others on this forum, and websites such as grassrootshealth and vitamin D council, I have just started supplementing at 5000 IU per day.
I have read that calcium levels in the blood need to be checked? Is this essential? When should this be done - after 2 to 3 months maybe?
Worried that GP will refuse as they told me to "just take a good multi vitamin", and will likely question why I'm taking such high doses (and maybe tell me to stop!)
This is same GP who prescribed 50 mcg of cyanocobalamin even though my B12 level was 230, so I don't think they know much about supplementing vitamins!
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seamail57
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It is normally suggested that the calcium is tested before taking VitD. VitD improves the uptake of calcium from foods in the gut. TOO much calcium circulating in the blood is not good - so ensure you take VitK2 with the D3 to ensure the calcium is directed to the bones.
Statins also blocks the production of K2 - not a good thing either
There are some sprays for under the tongue with both D3 and K2.
If you take the precautions mentioned without the calcium being tested you should be fine. The range is very narrow for calcium. Maybe mention it to your GP next time - at least you could try and educate him/her
Hi SBT - do we know who sponsored this research ? We need Dr Kendrick on the case. I think they concluded that over range levels are not good and that higher mortality was linked to low levels. It seems most people here have very low levels when diagnosed. All the time I am reading conflicting research - but cannot help feeling that Low VitD was one of my missing links. Also I am TH1 dominant and should not respond well to D3 - hey ho ?
Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology (D.D.M., A.-M.H.), and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (P.S.), University of Copenhagen, 2650 Glostrup, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry (H.L.J.), Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, 2400 Copenhagen, Denmark; Danish Cancer Society Research Center (J.C., A.T., A.O., J.H.), 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; and The Elective Laboratory of the Capital Region (B.L.) and the Research Centre of Ageing and Osteoporosis (P.S.), Department of Medicine M, Copenhagen University Hospital Glostrup, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
Comments
"Cardiovascular disease mortality relation is very likely due to starting vitamin D supplementation late in life."
"In Denmark, like all Scandinavian countries, the use of cod liver oil is common. Cod liver oil will raise 25(OH)D levels but also increase vitamin A intake. Increased vitamin A intake has been associated with increased mortality."
Thank you - yes I read the various faculties involved under author information. Just wondered about the funding. Your last link was very well put together - but so long. Good to have lots of information in one place. However having started VitD supplementation late in life - I guess I am not long for this world
The last link is from the Inflammation Therapy people, and they may be funded by whoever makes Olmesartan, which is the cornerstone of their treatment regime. I mentioned it to a consultant who was dismissive, saying Olmesartan is way down the preferred list, so they're touting for niche acceptance.
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Edited to add:
My mention of Inflammation Therapy was from genuine interest. I have no knowledge as to how its proponents are funded.
The information from the consultant appears to be incorrect. Daiichi Sankyo state: "Healthcare professionals around the world are demonstrating increasing acceptance of olmesartan, and the molecule is now poised to become the No. 2 medication for treating hypertension in the top seven global markets."
Thanks, Marz and SmallBlueThing for your interesting comments. Food for thought! I've only been self-treating with 5000 mcg methylcobalamine and 5000 IU vitamin D and an iron complex for just over a week now (after GP pronounced my results "normal") but already noticed a difference - sleeping really well, memory and coordination (typing) noticeably better, no longer breathless or have cold hands etc.
Typing accuracy is one of the things I noticed getting worse, with repeated word endings cropping up.
My calcium level (low) was included in a set of hospital tests, and I've pressed for it to be followed up: it may be due to Conn's syndrome rather than a parathyroid problem. I wasn't offered any advice when it was tested six months ago, so supplemented D3 and B12, which quickly resolved my pins & needles. Since then, I've experienced a feeling of glass splinters and some cramping in my hands, which are to do with the low calcium.
Isn't 5,000 iu awfully high for a non-soluble vitamin that can produce toxicity? I'm sure my GP recommended 1,000 iu for a few months then 500 until my D level was up to a good level.
Not according to others on this site who replied earlier.....
This website also has a useful guide to levels of Vitamin D needed to restore optimal levels. Levels should be retested via blood test after 3 - 4 months I believe.
Mmm seamail57, I noticed what others had advised, which is why I flagged up my concern. I don't have the energy today to look at the website and was simply raising this so that if anyone wanted to they could do their own research and if they wish go cautiously.
5000 IU of vitamin D is a significant dose but many people take that much (whether once a day, or once a week, or some other regime) over a long time without any issues. Others might find it too much.
I'm really quite interested in Inflammation Therapy, but see little chance of getting a prescription for Olmesartan, even at a normal dose. Self-treating, even if possible, is beyond my means, with Olmesartan at about a fiver per pill (but 63p to the NHS).
Treat my glib comment about funding as sour grapes, if you wish.
The consultant I mentioned has been of precious little benefit to me, thus far. I wondered why a Pfizer potion was prescribed, rather than the generic? Couldn't possibly be a back-hander...?
I am truly happy for you if your health has benefited from Inflammation Therapy.
My comment about the Pfizer potion was an example of a consultant possibly receiving financial and/or other rewards by not prescribing a generic. I am no longer taking the potion. I do not apologise for calling it a potion -- I could, alternatively, call it a poison. It caused me problems for several months. Perhaps Olmesartan was dismissed (as an antihypertensive) on that occasion because its manufacturer does not offer sweeteners?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Inflammation Therapy is not part of the NICE guidelines, so isn't your point about my consultant's CPD moot?
Have you any suggestions as to how I could explore the possibility of my suitability for Inflammation Therapy, bearing in mind I'm based in the UK? I ceased supplementing D3 over a month ago.
Epictetus, I know you feel very strongly about vitamin D and how it is toxic, and none of us should be taking it, but I do find your attitude odd. I do accept that some people can't take vitamin D, but I would be surprised if this was very common. I think deficiency symptoms would be much more common.
I took vitamin D to improve my level and I felt a lot better for doing so. Muscle and joint aches and pains reduced a lot.
Last year I ran out of my vitamin D supplement and didn't replace it for a couple of months. The muscle and joint pain started to come back in a big way. It went again when I started taking vitamin D again.
So, the vitamin D helps me to feel better.
I have also been told by doctors that I only have subclinical hypothyroidism and I don't need treating. It's not my thyroid, it is the famous "something else". If I treat my thyroid I'll end up with osteoporosis and heart attacks. I treat my thyroid anyway and I feel much better for doing so.
I was told my ferritin was in range so I didn't need iron supplements, I might poison myself. My serum iron was in my boots though. I supplemented and felt better for doing so.
At the rate I'm going, doing all these things which are allegedly so bad for me, I should be dead already.
I know there are people who will avoid certain treatments because they've been told it will shorten their lives, and some will take treatments that cause pain but they've been told it will extend their life (e.g. statins). They will put up with any amount of pain to live just that little bit longer. I'm not one of them.
I want to live as comfortably as possible, in as little pain as possible, for the rest of my life. I've had enough pain to last 50 lifetimes. So, if I might die 5 years earlier than I would have done otherwise I'll accept that risk.
Hi Epictetus ....have been reading through posts on Vit D....and came across your information above that Vit D should not be given to everybody based on the calcidol test alone as it could be dangerous. My Vit D leval is 8.....and GP currently taking advice from "Bone Consultant as to how best proceed, and treat. ( I am on a diuretic and this appears to complicate the prescribing of Vit D. Please can you explain how taking Vit D might be dangerous ? And how does one find out if they are one of the people who should not take VitD ?
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