Feel sick after taking vitamin D3 plus k2 - Thyroid UK

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Feel sick after taking vitamin D3 plus k2

23 Replies

Hi all. After another routine blood test at doctors found my vitamin D is low (22), I was recommend either to take tablets or get spray form. I already take b12 spray for b12 deficiency, which I'm fine with and my levels are increasing for b12, so I bought betteryou d3+k2 spray, 3000iu. I have been taking it for a few days, 3 sprays as instructed on the packet but each time I have it, I feel nauseous and even more exhausted for the rest of the day. Maybe it isn't related but if I don't take it then I will fine. I had the same issue when I was taking vitamin d tablets in the past but decided on spray form for better absorption. Any idea why it's making me feel like this? Could I be allergic or maybe it's all in my head? I read combining d3 and k2 together means my body can absorb calcium instead of building it up hence why I went for that one.. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

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23 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

AnxietySufferer92

Are you taking the D3/K2 spray at the same time as something else?

There are some people who can't take D3, you may be one of them.

You could try a pure D3 with no additives at all, eg

D3 liquid drops, just D3 and coconut oil - amazon.co.uk/Natures-Aid-Ch...

Doctor's Best softgels which are just D3 plus extra virgin olive oil.

Other brands of both forms are available.

If you get on OK with that, then next step is to add in K2-MK7. There is an oil based liquid, just the K2 with oil, eg:

amazon.co.uk/Menaquinone-Al...

amazon.co.uk/Vitamin-K2-Liq...

You don't have to combine them, they are probably better taken at separate times of the day as both need fat for absorption, taken together they compete for the fat.

annealing profile image
annealing

Hi , I looked into vit d3 [ as hub was very low in vit d] the best way to take is in an oil base or spray rather than pill form ..yes vit d3 with k2 is better . oil form comes in a smalll bottle with pipette .Body stores vit d3 , so you don't have to take every day maybe take higher dose every other day .

the spray contains sweetners this may be the problem . If you can source and afford the oil go for that .[ don't think I can mention brands on this site.I take one full pipette once a week for over two years and my recent vit d bloods was high.

Anthea55 profile image
Anthea55

I use the Thorne Research Vit D/K2 liquid in a bottle which dispenses drops. I hold it over a spoon while I count the drops. I don't know if it would work for you. May be different additives from other products.

bantam12 profile image
bantam12

You may be VitD intolerant and any form of it will make you feel awful. There are a few of us on the forum who cannot take it at all.

Hedgeree profile image
Hedgeree

Hi AnxietySufferer92,

I've just looked at the ingredient list and it contains acacia gum which can for some people cause nausea, bloating, gas and loose stools. So that could possibly be making you feel sickly.

It also contains xylitol a sweetener which can cause similar symptoms in some people. So this could also be making you feel nauseous.

From my own experience I discovered that I don't tolerate some sweeteners they make me feel very sickly and unwell. It's happened a few times now so I avoid eating anything that contains sugar alcohols such as xylitol or maltitol as I seem to be very sensitive to them. I continually read labels for the ingredients list just to check.

Best wishes.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Vitamin D was very low 7 months ago

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Your GP should have prescribed a loading dose vitamin D

Did they

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

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

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol. Some CCG areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

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

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

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

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

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

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

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing

vitamindtest.org.uk

Bunnyjones profile image
Bunnyjones in reply to SlowDragon

I was told in June my B12 was low and the GP said to just take supplements. Should they have prescribed me some?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bunnyjones

Please write your own post with results and ranges

You never answered last questions on post 6 months ago

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Did GP run full testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting on B12 supplements

Your B12 was extremely low

As well as B12 supplement are you supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

B12 sublingual lozenges

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

in reply to SlowDragon

Hi SlowDragon

No, the GP did not run a full PA test, despite me asking them to because they didn't check for my B12, only Vit D. However I since changed doctors as I have moved and I had B12 and another Vit D blood test done as they cannot find any records of me having it done at my previous surgery.

I am waiting for the results of that, hopefully will get it today.. but my last Vit D results on NHS after I had it done with medichecks was 22 (medichecks was 20), so not really far off the mark. I haven't taken any vit D for quite some time now because I am feeling ill when taking it.

I have been using B12 spray which GP did recommend me to try without even testing me for B12, but stopped because I just got another blood test done at the surgery I've moved to.

I will update on here when I get results but as my active b12 was low, I am expecting the b12 results to show the same? Who knows.

Thanks.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to

Likely to need a daily vitamin B complex as well as taking separate B12

Come back with new post once you get results

in reply to SlowDragon

Results are in.

Vit D - 25(prescription given for 12 months, 1 tablet daily) range 50 - 150

B12 - 265 , range 200 - 800) (she said this is normal)

Folate - 9.9 (said this is normal), I didn't get the lab range for this one.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to

B12 is definitely not “normal “ but it’s not deficient

NHS only tests and treats deficiencies

So you need to self supplement to maintain optimal vitamin levels

Low folate and low B12

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

B12 sublingual lozenges

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

in reply to SlowDragon

Is my folate still low? No I'm neither of those, I eat meat as well as vegetarian food. Should I continue the betteryou b12 spray? What about vit D though, seeing as I am not able to tolerate it very well. Maybe I need to bite the bullet and get on with it cos it clearly not doing me any good not taking it as my levels are still low.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to

Which vitamin D have you tried

Perhaps start magnesium supplements first, before adding vitamin D

Are you currently taking any other medications or supplements?

When supplementing B12 we should take a vitamin B complex, this keeps all B vitamins in balance

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to

How much vitamin D daily?

You should be prescribed LOADING dose. That’s 300,000iu in total over 6-8 weeks

5000iu daily over 8 weeks

Or

7000iu daily over 6 weeks

Retest again yourself at end of loading dose, see where results have improved to

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

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

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol. Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

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...

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

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing

vitamindtest.org.uk

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

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need,

Vitamin D and thyroid disease

grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

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...

Retest thyroid and vitamin levels 3-6 months after improving low vitamin levels

in reply to SlowDragon

50,000, once a week for 6 weeks and then 800 daily for 12 months.

Puttytat profile image
Puttytat

You could try these, expensive but very clean (no fillers)british-supplements.net/col...

Timetraveler67 profile image
Timetraveler67

I also felt unwell on better you D with 2 so I stopped and felt better. I bought different K2 brands from amazon and also had to stop after a few days as had same thing. Knowing how important k2 is I’m now trying Holland and Barrett brand which a take with my vitobiotics vit d, still not great On it but trying to continue. I wish you well and hope you find something you get on with to build your vit D up

in reply to Timetraveler67

How are you getting on with H&B brand now? I don't have one near by but if I knew I'd able to tolerate it better then I would give it a go. Thank you, I am still feeling rough no doubt about that.

j9j8j7 profile image
j9j8j7

Are you sensitive to soya? A lot of K2 is derived from soya. Together does one derived from chickpeas.

in reply to j9j8j7

Hi. Not really, sometimes I do have gut issues if I eat too much soya but otherwise I am usually OK. I cannot tolerate chickpeas every well though.

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to j9j8j7

I am really bad with soya thanks for this info

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