Vitamin D in media: I saw Dr Michael Mosley... - Thyroid UK

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Vitamin D in media

caroash profile image
20 Replies

I saw Dr Michael Mosley discussing Vitamin D supplementation on This Morning the other day in regards to Covid,he said studies weren't conclusive,but looks like if you have good vitamin D levels have a third less chance of getting seriously ill with Covid. However when Phillip Schofield asked him about dosage he said you don't need more than 1.000iug per day and that you wee out any excess and more than that is unnecessary.My understanding is that Vit D is a fat soluble Vitamin and therefore can be stored and isn't like water soluble B and C where any excess us excreted through urine.As wwe know many are defecient and I thought it was irresponsible big him not to talk about blood testing and levels.of Vit D. I know many watching this now won't take more than his recommended dose and I think so irresponsible if him to only give partial information,some if which was incorrect.

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caroash profile image
caroash
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helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

1.000iug per day

Sorry to be permickety - but that could be misleading.

I think you meant 1000 IU (international units) a day? Which is equivalent to 25 micrograms of vitamin D.

I agree that testing is highly desirable. But it is a problem in that many, many of those watching would find an extra £29 (or whatever it costs) difficult afford.

Sybilla14 profile image
Sybilla14

Completely agree! M Moseley’s programmes have been very popular and he can be seen as a reliable source by many. But for him to be claiming vit d is water soluble demonstrates his ignorance. Also a recommendation of a 1,000iu dose also shows he’s just following the official guidance and this dose will do little for most people*. I’ve had mixed impressions of M Moseley if I’m honest based on some things he included in his tv programmes, he’s a conventionally trained dr after all.

*I have learnt from annual tests that 4,000iu taken daily religiously over a year only keeps my blood level at the same point, for example.

caroash profile image
caroash in reply toSybilla14

Yes he's a popular TV doctor and many follow his diets. He could of pointed out that you can get a vi it D test through your GP,my understanding is that it's now easier to get these tests done, in my area at one time it was £60 for an NHS one as they had to send it to one particular hospital,where as now it's done alongside other routine tests so has cut the cost a lot. I am the same I now take 4.000 IU per day in winter and my levels still only 70 which is better than 32 which they once were. ,but as you say 1.000 wouldn't do much for many of us if deficient or insufficient. Just in-stock too that be said you pee it out.It is irresponsible as too much Vit D can actually damage your kidneys.Sorry about the mg units mix up .

Sybilla14 profile image
Sybilla14 in reply tocaroash

I ask my gp to add d3 and ferritin to my annual thyroid tests and he never objects. I do have to speak to him after I receive my thyroid test form so proactivity on my part is needed, for sure. If people tell their gp they are supplementing and need to check the level they shouldn’t refuse as, just as you said, toxicity from overdosing is possible.

m7-cola profile image
m7-cola in reply toSybilla14

Thanks for this useful advice. It has never occurred to me to ask local doctor to do vitamin tests. I usually use private lab. Doctors know so little about diet and vitamins !

m7-cola profile image
m7-cola in reply toSybilla14

Agreed

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012

And yet my cousin is having treatment for Cancer and was told by the nurse don't even bother buying Vitamin D supplements in the shop, they don't give high enough doses. He was told to take 4000iu a day at a minimum and as he is dark skinned, he could comfortably take 6000iu daily. For that reason he gets high doses on prescription.

It annoys me as there's all this (to my mind and based on my admittedly anecdotal experience) disingenuous concern about people of BAME origin health due to covid, and yet there has been very little straight advice about the fact we need higher doses of vit D and always have. It's been quite remiss in my opinion. I have never had a test of my Vit D levels offered to me in my experience as a patient with Asthma and not even with hypothyrodism. Not once in 30 years. Yes its been talked about some, especially now, but the dosage needed not. There's been some weak mumbling about fortification of foods like bread being brought in.

My mother has severe osteoporosis and is now being prescribed D3 when she should have been getting years before as she has ulcerative colitis, doesn't digest foods well and has taken steroids as well as bring as BAME

But coming back to the subject, I'm not sure the doctor Moseley is any worse than these vitamin manufacturers who constantly advertise trendy products with (since covid) the trendy headline 'contains vitamin D' at some really ineffective level. I watch these multivit adverts whilst thinking to see any physical benefits I would have to take this product for years!

caroash profile image
caroash in reply toAlanna012

Yes I agree GPS certainly don't help when they advise patients to take shop bought supplements and have no understanding of dosage needed to give good levels or how to maintain them.Im sure many of us have learned along the way how to get it right and it's still a minefield They never even mention the importance of magnesium and K3 to help direction and absorption too. And as you say people with darker skin and BAME community.Many don't know that if you have darker skin you can't absorb Vit D easily through sunlight. I've emailed them at This Morning to let them know my thoughts,I don't think I'll bet a reply though😏

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply tocaroash

I will email them as well, great idea!

caroash profile image
caroash in reply toAlanna012

Great yes please do, Just had a generic response for now,but if a lot of people email them they make take notice ,I suggested they get an expert on.Im sure many on here could fit the bill.😊

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply tocaroash

Expert! I'll follow your lead and make sure to add some suitably related synonyms: Accomplished, adept, professional, mastery, competent...qualified!😄😄

caroash profile image
caroash in reply toAlanna012

Brilliant🥰

caroash profile image
caroash in reply toAlanna012

I also agree they are treating D like they do with iron and folic acid and by fortification and as you say much higher doses required,the.littlw they add to food would be a drop in the ocean.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toAlanna012

Note how much vitamin D most of these doctors are taking

Vitamin D and Covid

vitamind4all.org/letter.pdf

caroash profile image
caroash in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks for sharing this,it's time all doctors were educated on this.and they need to stop saying it's in oily fish,so.misleading getting D2 and D3 mixed up.

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks for this! Its excellent. I wish I had seen this before pressing send. I included quotes from WHO and BMJ but neither were as explicitly clear as this one.

👍

caroash profile image
caroash in reply toAlanna012

It's okay I sent it to them after my email to them,linking it to my previous email.

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply tocaroash

🙌🙌😀

m7-cola profile image
m7-cola in reply toSlowDragon

This is a most helpful document. Thanks for posting it.

userotc profile image
userotc

Medical doctors and vitamin advice = car crash! Maybe one day we will see naturopaths on tv giving advice they've actually been trained in...or maybe I'm just dreaming! And don't get me on Ministers and vitamins....Hancock's ignorance re vitamin D and covid is shameful.

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