Importance of testing before taking supplements

[Mostew]

Just had my vit D blood result . 160mnol/l.

Range 50.0- 120.0

Been taking 5000 supplement for several months .

No wonder I’ve not felt as good as usual .

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mostew

Adding the question you posted on another member's thread:

Because I’ve obviously been to enthusiastic about vit D supplement and now to high do u think I could take ones I’ve got after a few months AND retesting , maybe a couple of times a week ? It’s. 5000 iu plus k2 and a and e

Who did you use to test?

What was your original result before you started supplementing?

I don't think there's anything wrong with your new result as long as you've done either a blood test or a fingerprick bloodspot test and know it's accurate.

The Vit D Society and Grassroots Health recommend a level of 100-150nmol/L.

City Assays (the NHS lab who do the bloodspot test) has the following on it's results sheet:

"Total Vit D level above 220nmol/L is considered "High" and increases the risk of Vit d toxicity"

so there's no need to panic about a level of 160nmol/L and personally I doubt very much if that is making you feel not as good as usual.

A good level of Vit D is being encouraged at the moment during the pandemic.

If that was my result I'd probably just drop my dose down to 5 days a week rather than 7 then retest in 3 months. By that time, we should once again be capable of making Vit D from the sun and you may be able to reduce again or, if you make a good amount of Vit D naturally during the summer, stop your supplement altogether until October, retest and base your winter maintenance dose on that level.

Some of us don't make anywhere near enough from the sun, or even none at all (that's me) and my maintenance dose all year round is 5,000iu to keep mine close to 150nmol/L.

[Mostew in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for advice . I was advised by functional dr. To take it , but I should have asked for a test before taking . Not like me not to be on the ball ...

I have a blood condition as well as Hashimoto , that’s why recommended....

Think I’ll wait for next test in 8 weeks before restarting ..

SO hard to balance things . I’m exhausted today trying to stay / be informed .

Hope all is well with you xx

[bantam12 in reply to Mostew]

Would be wise to test your calcium level in case it's to high.

[Mostew in reply to bantam12]

Thank you . Must have read my mind . I’ve literally rung dr. To ask for test !! Waiting to see if they will do it xx

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mostew]

Mostew

Think I’ll wait for next test in 8 weeks before restarting ..

If you come back with your result at that time, I'll point you in the right direction to see how much you need to take going forward.

[Mostew in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. So good to know you are there.. X

[Starsw]

It seems that supplementing over 4000 IU is not recommended you may also have taken more through other supplements or some breakfast cereals for example in 2018 Kellogs increased the amount of vitamin D in many of its cereals...

This is a small easy to read article that's sums it up.

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

Were you vitamin D deficient before taking the supplement

I used to be well below the lowest range with all sort of symptoms pains low calcium fatigue... and after taking 800 IU D3 i was slightly above the lowest range but felt better.

When you take supplement you have to take into account other sources you may get them from and except in cases of naturopath advices (for cancer care for example) it is better to go for middle recommendation range.

I think you should stop it for a few months and then take a much reduced dose. 🙂

All the best.

[Mostew]

Thanks for all your thoughts. Much appreciated .

Don’t eat any ready made food , so no additional vits. I do love crunchy nut cornflakes !! Been years . Always had 3 bowls .... to nice ..

Got blood condition so advised by functional dr. He should have stressed importance of testing .

We really do need to be careful and double check. It’s so tiring

Xx

[JaneChapple]

Hi Mostew

I think other people would be very happy with that result. I understand that Vitamin D only stays in your system for 90 days once yu stop taing it and you snt want to go from one extreme to the other, or you will feel ll. May be you are lacking in other Vittamins or it is something else makng you not feel so good as usual? Do you have a thyroid issue or other ilnesses and it would be worth checkng all this out. Not easy to work out thats for sure. What about your B12, Ferritin and folate levles - how are they? All vitamins need to be optimal and docs just dont know or are not trained this way sadly.

SeasideSuzie is right you could try taking 5 days out of 7 until spring arrives in the hope we get some nice sunshine then and you will hopefully need less Vitamn D.

Jane😣😎

[Mostew]

Yes last test showed raised thyroid levels . Ferritin low. I’m going to wait to chat to my functional practitioner. It is to complicated for me .. then I can see what I think of all advice

Much appreciate your thoughts . Thank you x