Vitamin D

[sidneymark70]

I was diagnosed with Vit D deficiency some years ago and have been taking it ever since. Just questioned myself as to what I’m taking. My GP said take anything! But I’m not so sure. Firstly what’s the difference between D and D3 and what amount should you take daily. I am currently taking MyKind Organically Vegan D3. 1,000 IU (what’s IU?!) Any advice gratefully welcome please.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can see from previous posts you have Hashimoto’s

Low vitamin D is EXTREMELY common with all autoimmune disease

Important to regularly retest vitamin D twice year when supplementing, certainly initially to see if taking enough or not too much

Everyone varies considerably in what dose vitamin D they need to improve levels

Test via vitamindtest.org.uk

Easy NHS postal kit £29

Frequently with Hashimoto’s we need more than typical dose

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol. Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

But improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function. There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7

It’s trial and error what dose we need

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...

Also read up on importance of magnesium and vitamin K2 Mk7 supplements when taking vitamins

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

[sidneymark70 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks so much SlowDragon. You’re so knowledgeable! I’ll finish the spray I have then buy the one you suggest. So is there a difference between D3 and D please?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sidneymark70]

Link about different vitamin D

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

Supplements are usually D3

If using a mouth spray this is apparently made from lanolin off Australian sheep!

[RedApple Administrator in reply to SlowDragon]

But Vegan D3 is usually made from lichen or algae, not lanolin.

[sidneymark70 in reply to RedApple]

Oh would prefer the vegan. Is one better than the other?

[RedApple Administrator in reply to sidneymark70]

No idea, but obviously if you are vegan, you will not want to use the non-vegan version. Also, some people are allergic to lanolin, so might prefer the vegan version for that reason.

[sidneymark70 in reply to RedApple]

Thanks very much

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sidneymark70]

Vegan one available from Better You

betteryou.com/vitamin-d-ora...

Though sheep have to have wool sheared for good health, so standard vitamin D from lanolin doesn’t harm the animal

[RedApple Administrator in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon Though sheep have to have wool sheared for good health

Sheep shearing is a contentious issue for some people peta.org/about-peta/faq/wha...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sidneymark70]

Presumably if you are vegan or vegetarian you supplement B12 and regularly monitor iron levels

[helvella Administrator in reply to sidneymark70]

There are two forms of vitamin D. D2 and D3.

If it doesn't specify, then you cannot know whether someone is referring to D2, D3 or an undefined mixture.

Most supplementary vitamin D is now D3.

[Treepie]

Vit D appears to have a preventative role in Covid 19 and possibly leads to faster recovery from it .Research is ongoing. May be one reason why BAME are especially susceptible to the virus.