Vitamin D dosage query for sister

[jamiface]

My sister BethAlice56 been put on a trial of levothyroxine

Her doctor also advised her to take OTC vitamin D for this result:

Serum total 25-hydroxy vitamin D level 49 nmol/L

(31-50 nmol/L Consistent with insufficiency )

My question is, would the Fultium-D3 3,200 IU that my GP prescribed for me be too big a dose for my sister? I am taking the 5,000 IU vitamin D that I purchased before my GP bothered to look at my blood test results.

Thank. You

[Mary-intussuception]

But what is your Vitamin D result?

For your sister's result the NICE guidance (for insufficiency ) is 800 IU daily. So in accordance with the NICE guidance I would have thought your sister's GP would have presribed her the 800 IU rather than tell her to 'buy over the vounter' and also when to come back for retesting. However there are differing opinions between the US Vitamin D Council and the UK Consensus Statement which agrees with UK NICE guidance on Vitamin D.

It seems as though you were given a prescription for loading doses for Vitamin D deficiency. What was your result ? Below 30?

Look up NICE guidelines for treatment of Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency.

[jamiface in reply to Mary-intussuception]

My vitamin D result was

Serum total 25-hydroxy vitamin D level 39 nmol/L [levels should be >75 nmol/L at all times... Levels 25-50 indicate deficiency, supplementation is indicated...]

I realise how lucky I am that GP prescribed me a loading dose for 3 months and is then going to change it for a maintenance dose.

I was advised by Clutter and SeasideSusie to take the 5,000 IU that I'd purchased rather than the slightly smaller dose my GP prescribed, which is what I'm doing, but was wondering whether the 3,200 IU would be too big for my sister?

[Clutter in reply to jamiface]

Jamiface,

I suggest your sister supplements 5,000iu daily x 6 weeks and then reduces to 5,000iu alternate days and retests in April. She should take vitD 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

[jamiface in reply to Clutter]

Thank you, Clutter and SeasideSusie I'll get her to buy 5,000 IU vitamin D, vitamin k2-mk7 and some magnesium (although that has to be much smaller tablets than mine because she can't swallow large tablets) She had an ultrasound scan last week and was told she had sub-1cm nodules (I think) but not seen doc for details yet.

So I should keep my 3,200 IU vitamin D for when the doc puts me on to the maintenance dose?

[Clutter in reply to jamiface]

Jamiface,

If tablets are too large for your sister to swallow she can crush them and mix them with a little water to swallow.

Yes, keep your vitD until you need it.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to jamiface]

You can get some forms of magnesium as powder. I use Natural Calm Original magnesium citrate powder and mix it with orange juice.

You'll need to keep an eye on your Vit D level and when appropriate you can incorporate your 3200iu dose Vit D. If you eventually find that 2000iu daily is a good maintenance dose for you, then add 3200iu to the prescribed 800iu and take the total 4000iu on alternate days. Personally, I don't think it's even worth using Vit D tablets, just go with the softgels as they contain olive oil to aid absorption, and they are cheap enough.

[jamiface in reply to SeasideSusie]

The vitamin D3 I bought are capsules and contain sunflower oil. The magnesium citrate I've got are huge tablets which I can swallow but sister probably can't, and as she doesn't have the strength to crush anything either I'll get her to look for the powder that you mentioned, thank you 😊

I'll keep the 3,200 for myself 😊

Thank you 😘

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to jamiface]

You'll find the Natural Calm magnesium citrate on Amazon amazon.co.uk/Natural-Calm-S...

There's a larger one which is better value, but she may wish to try the smaller pack first. It makes a pleasant drink. Just add a small amount of warm water to the powder, let it fizz, then add some orange juice.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to jamiface]

I agree with Clutter jamiface

The recommended level is 100-150nmol/L according to the Vit D Council and with your sister's level at 49 that 5000iu daily for a few weeks to boost her level then reducing to a decent maintenance dose throughout the winter is the right thing to do.

The NICE guidelines do state 800iu daily as a maintenance dose but it is pathetically low and barely a mainenance dose for someone with an already decent level, so there's no way 800iu daily is going to raise anyone's level.