Hi, so I started taking Vitamin D 1000 IU about a week ago for my levels and pretty much straightaway got severe headache and stiff neck - I didnt have one yesterday or today and my head is much better. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Side effects from Vitamin D: Hi, so I started... - Thyroid UK
Side effects from Vitamin D
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jenny876
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No, I’ve never had headaches from vitamin D. I’ve taken it for ten years or so in all sorts of forms and I vary from 1000 - 3000 IU depending on how my blood test results.
Same here…and been taking it for more than ten years on advice of doctor.
I’ve seen it discussed a lot on Ray Peat forums that supplementing vitamin D isn’t a good idea.
jenny876 in reply to
I got private tesing done and the doctor advised to start supplementing with Vitamin D for 10 weeks to get levels up so not sure what to do!
in reply to jenny876
Hmmm… I am not sure what to suggest one way or the other, I am conflicted on it myself. I don’t supplement and my levels are often in 70s+ if you are having a bad reaction, I would stop. It could be the brand?
in reply to
How do you achieve levels in seventies? Are you a sun lover 😊?
Just had mine tested and result came back at 70 nmol/L. Lab described this as ‘adequate’ but Vit D council advise level at 100 nmol/L. Have now increased my supplementation.
I know that Vit D supps are not tolerated well by many. Not sure how the intolerance manifests itself.
in reply to
Tbh I have absolutely no idea why I get such high levels, especially as I am indoors so much. I think it must be genetic, I do eat lots of animal products.
in reply to
Could be genetic I suppose.
Interesting though.
rjb112 in reply to
What reasons do they give on the Ray Peat forums, saying that supplementing Vitamin D isn't a good idea? Why not?
in reply to rjb112
Interested to know why. Will look at Ray Peat.
I know calcium supps are not generally recommended but never heard of issues with sensible doses of Vit D
rjb112 in reply to
Me neither Everywhere2. Maybe a good idea to ask "dontforgetcortisol", who reported that "I’ve seen it discussed a lot on Ray Peat forums that supplementing vitamin D isn’t a good idea." I'd like to know why too.
in reply to rjb112
I found this but I haven’t read it in full myself yet - I think the gist is that vit D is a hormone, not a nutrient and should be treated as such. Food sources are much better metabolised than synthetic supps, the same can be said for all supps!
It also discusses how causation & correlation are often confused in study interpretation, arguing that while for instance inflammation and low Vit D are often seen together, the low Vit D could be a result and not a cause. Interpreting it as a cause would give us more confidence to simply megadose it, interpreting it as a consequence means we need to ask why this is happening, so dig deeper instead of papering over the cracks by buying supplements.
This isn’t my opinion necessarily, just what I’ve gleaned from the article at a glance. It is an interesting take tho.
gettingstronger.org/2012/11...
rjb112 in reply to
Thanks very much dontforgetcortisol. I think it is good point that Vit D is a hormone and not a nutrient, and should be treated as such.
I certainly wouldn't want to megadose it. I see some people recommending 5,000 IU per day, but that is way more than I personally would take.
I find it interesting that the National Institutes for Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, has the RDA at 600 IU through age 70, and then 800 IU after age 71.
Personally, I take either 1,000 IU daily or 2,000 IU daily, and then at least annually check my blood level.
Best wishes,
rjb112
Geography1 in reply to
Not all Ray Peat followers share the same though, I know Kate Deering, who wrote the book "How to heal your metabolism" recommends taking vit D drops, then some others recommend taking it topically. I think it's about finding the right source and kind that suits you. Most supplements make me feel weird, drops and gummies have been the most tolerable ones. Also, Rosita COd liver oil has tons of vitamin d and A, I took it for a while, but made me feel super energetic, and I was too anxious for that.
in reply to Geography1
Yeah, I know it’s divisive issue in PM world. Matt Blackburn (defector! Has gone back to keto!) used to swear it was dangerous to supplement vit D, I think Jessica Ash & Josh Rubin also say not to, but I’m sure plenty in RP forums say do it.
in reply to rjb112
Just found this - printed at the end of a podcast about Vitamin D which focussed mainly on very large doses:
At the end of the podcast, Ray was asked about a study involving Vitamin D supplements and Bone density.
Here is the study and his answer:
Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Volumetric Bone Density and Bone Strength
A Randomized Clinical Trial.
jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...
"They didn’t control their phosphate intake, so it’s possible that the high dose D was now and then increasing the 1,25-dihydroxy D, taking some calcium out of the bone. A problem with judging bone mineral content with x-rays is that, in stress, the fat in bone is reduced, and replaced by water, causing more of the x-rays to be absorbed, making the bone seem denser.
High-dose vitamin D without extra calcium supplementation has been associated with increased levels of the active vitamin D metabolite 1, 25(OH)2 vitamin D (calcitriol), and an increase in CTx."
I think the point being made here is valid. Very high doses of Vitamin D are advocated by some doctors and nutritionalists. The point Ray Peat is making here warns against such dosing. I don’t think that he’s against Vitamin D supplementation per se.
rjb112 in reply to
Hi, thanks for that information. "Very high doses of Vitamin D are advocated by some doctors and nutritionalists. The point Ray Peat is making here warns against such dosing."
I agree with that. I do not want to take "very high doses of Vitamin D." Personally, I cannot see myself taking more than 2,000 IU, and my blood level was not terrible while taking 1,000 IU. I just wanted to get it a little higher, so I increased it to 2,000 IU, but once I find out the results, I'm more than willing to drop it to perhaps 1,500 IU to see what level that takes me to.
Best wishes
rjb112
in reply to rjb112
I’m now taking 2000 IU. This should get me back up to 90 nmol/L
Meerkat1234 in reply to
Did you receive my answer to your private message.
ForViolet in reply to
Ray Peat advised, "I use Carlson's and I think most of the informed people are recommending about 2,000 units per day".
expulsia.com
in reply to ForViolet
that’s interesting, although the link provided doesn’t work? I’d like to see if it you are able to redo it? (Something weird going on with links atm).
I did say “I’ve seen it discussed a lot on Ray Peat forums,” which isn’t necessarily Ray Peat’s direct advice. I think quite a lot of what’s discussed on R Peat forums aren’t a perfect reflection of what Ray’s own health behaviours were, largely because as he aged people took his OG work and began to debate and manipulate it with new data and health trends.
I’m not nuts about Kitty Blomfield, but here is her podcast where they discuss both sides of the debate through the pro-metabolic lens if you are interested 
podcasts.google.com/feed/aH...
ForViolet in reply to
Yeah. I think that's why Ray said that if you want to learn about my work, go to my website, not places like the raypeatforum. (I like the forum.)
His book, PMS to Menopause, was helpful and even somebody new to him would like the info there.
ForViolet in reply to
That's not a link, but you can put it in your browser I think. A really bright guy organized a lot of Ray Peat questions and answers there.
It's done in an easy to use format.
It's on another device so I can't just copy the link here.
That is the kind I have taken, there are podcasts with him and Kate deering, videos on YouTube, and he has or had tons of literature for free on the web.
JaneChapple in reply to
Depends on whether you are taking it with K2-MK7 form and magnesium as a co-factor. Being low in Vitamin D can cause lots oproblems, as well as Ferritin, B12, folate . Whats his reasoning?
in reply to JaneChapple
It’s not him necessarily, it’s his followers. It’s discussed here: healthunlocked.com/redirect...
Which brand of Vitamin D was it?
Vitabiotics
Far less nasties 🤗
Sub lingual, oil needed for absorption
nature provides
Hi Jenny if you’re in the Uk check out a company called a British Supplements. They claim they put no fillers in their supplements.
in reply to Starseed56
They’re good supplements
in reply to Starseed56
I love that Brand too! Affordable as well, and their Vit D is made from lanolin.
Unfortunately some people react badly to lanolin. Which is possibly one reason why some vitamin D supplements are not made from it. dermnetnz.org/topics/contac...
in reply to RedApple
I think “contact reaction” in the link you supplied refers to lanolin in products used topically, for example I know nipple creams use lanolin often.
But I get what you’re saying, not all vit Ds may suit everyone. I like it because it is naturally derived and reliably Vit D3. I just have a personal preference for my supplements to be as close to food grade as possible. I do the same with vit C, preferring camu camu for instance but I’m lucky I tolerate things well.
Yes, agreed about contact reaction. But I know it still worries some people that vit D is derived from lanolin. And of course, theres the vegan trend that also wants everything to be plant based, so those supplements are likely to be lichen derived.
How interesting that it’s derived from litchen or sheep’s wool! I’m with you litchen please 👍🏽
in reply to TSH110
Litchen would be my preference. If I get a topical rash with lanolin, surely it would not be good for my insides as well.
Edit: I'm an omnivore, eating a lot of meat, along with vegies.
TSH110 in reply to
Well skin and guts are the same basic tissue - when you blush so does your stomach 🤣🤣🤣 so I think you’re right. My skin is not keen on lanolin containing creams etc. I have no idea about lichen but I’d give it a punt!
I'm not sure how lanolin, coming as it does from the fleece of sheep, is necessarily 'food grade'? If I was concerned for my vit D to be food grade, I think maybe I'd opt for the lichen derived versions.
in reply to RedApple
Oh RA, you’ve been lucky enough not to stumble across comments where I describe my time on the carnivore diet… sheep fleece is food to me for sure! I always have a preference (again personal, to do with my training I am getting to be a naturopath, bioavailability is arguably much higher in animal sourced foods) for animal food sources of things, lichen is plant based so to my personal mind it is inferior.
in reply to
I had no idea that you’re training to be a naturopath. That explains a lot.
Do you mean that you actually eat sheep fleece ?
in reply to
Well, I wouldn’t eat sheep fleece, but I did used to make carnivore smoothies with a lot of raw offal in them… I would probably have been willing to give it a go 😅
The idea that animal foods are “superior” comes from my understanding of bioavailability which is basically 2 pronged.
So in plant foods you often find defensive chemicals - histamines is a common one mentioned but also things like salicylates, lectins, oxalates, etc. these compounds are not easily digested by humans, if at all. A pumpkin seed can have all the vitamin E in the world but is useless to us if we don’t have the gastro capacity to access it. By contrast, animal products don’t have plant defense chemicals, so GIT distress tends to be lower when we follow a diet higher in animal product (dairy versus raw dairy is a separate discussion to be had re. Tolerance & inflammation).
The second argument for animal products > plants is that animal products’ nutrients tend to be readily available, and this is a point I don’t think we appreciate enough, particularly in vegan the space. For instance, liver is high in retinol, which is vitamin A, nice and ready for use by eyes, immune system etc. The plant form of vitamin A is carotene which is not nice and ready for use, in order to be used humans require an enzyme made by the BCO1 gene to convert that carotene into retinol because carotene in its basic form is not bioavailable/ready for use. What the average person cannot know is whether they have mutations on that BCO1 gene/other genes needed to convert plant pre-cursors of their bioavailable counterparts - so they cannot know whether they need to be eating more bioavailable retinol (from liver, fish eggs, butter etc.) than the vegan influencer they’re watching on Instagram who seems to be thriving on carrots for their vitamin A… if that all makes sense. It is a similar story for other fat soluble vitamins, where plant forms require conversion, animal products often don’t.
I have gotten many things wrong in the past with my diet & health choices, so don’t mean to suggest I’m saying all this with enormous confidence or give the impression I know a great deal because I definitely don’t, but prioritizing animal sources is a principle I have come to embrace for those reasons.
Fruitandnutcase in reply to
What part does lanolin play in the production of their vitamin D? It’s not something I would have thought of popping up there.
in reply to Fruitandnutcase
This is their page on their lanolin & natto D3 K2 product.
british-supplements.net/col...
Their website is a bit of an eyesore 🙈 but there is good info to be harvested from it
Lanolin is exposed to ultra-violet light so as to convert it into vitamin D.
(In the USA, milk is exposed to UV and that is how they end up with vitamin D fortified milk.)
After all, UV is what converts 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D in human bodies!
😊 We can always rely on you for the science helvella. Thank you.
Astounding! How about litchen how does that and up as vitamin D?
If you really want to know, have a read here:
Front Plant Sci. 2013; 4: 136.
Published online 2013 May 13. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00136
PMCID: PMC3651966
PMID: 23717318
Vitamin D in plants: a review of occurrence, analysis, and biosynthesis
Rie B. Jäpelt* and Jette Jakobsen
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
I didn’t find lichen mentioned or how it was processed in the paper, unless I missed it?
No - but lichen are a symbiosis between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. Hence I think it very reasonable to assume (guess?) that they have many of the same pathways as other fungi - which are discussed.
There are a lot of ingredients in those -
Bulking Agents: Microcrystalline Cellulose & Pregelatinised Starch, Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, Tablet Coating (Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, Isomalt, Medium Chain Trigylcerides, Colour [Calcium Carbonate]), Anti-Caking Agents: Purified Talc, Magnesium Stearate & Silicon Dioxide, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Polyvinylpyrrolidone
I think this item - Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone maybe something to do with/contains iodine? which can be a problem for some people with thyroid disease.
perhaps someone else can confirm?
Oh my goodness! That is a lot of ingredients - I just want the Vitamin D! Does anyone know of any purer vitamin d products?
I use Cytoplan, recommended by many.
I take Thorne D-1,000. Total list of ingredients: Vitamin D3; Other ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose; Hypro mellose (derived from cellulose) capsule; Leucine; Silicon Dioxide, Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopheryl).
Try British Suppliments..made in Uk...nothing in it but pure vit D+K2 for your bones...10.000IU
I use BioCare's D3 and K2 drops. Six drops equals 1000 iu. As they are liquid, the only ingredients are vitamins D and K, an antioxidant (d-alpha tocopherol, also known as vitamin E), and medium-chain triglycerides (derived from plants like coconut) which in this case helps the body to absorb fat soluble vitamins like D.
See my post above. Look into British supplements! 💜
I’ve been using NuU for years - it seems to be sunflower, capsule shell (bovine gelatin,) humectant(glycerine) vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) Manufactured in the U.K.
in reply to jenny876
Hi jenny876
Totally sympathise with you about your reaction to the Vitamin D excipients.
Previously had my DTE compounded with the standard Microcrystalline Cellulose -that makes me cough continually and even, vomit up food.
Just today got my dr to prescribe DTE with a sugar filler only, and found a compounding pharmacist who will do it.
Could you get a compounding pharmacist to do something like that?
Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (povidone or PVP) itself does NOT contain iodine.
But it is often used to make povidone-iodine - which is used more or less like tincture of iodine as a disinfectant. The reason is that it allows less iodine to be used and avoids the use of alcohol.
Lots more information all over the web - e.g. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Povid...
"Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone is a water-soluble chemically inert solid polymer (−CH2CHC4H6NO−)n used chiefly in medicine as a vehicle for drugs (as iodine) and especially formerly as a plasma expander" - it is also called also povidone"
- as far as I understand, this is the equivalent to Betadine (an antiseptic used for wounds/infections, skin disinfection before and after surgery.) I believe Povidone is also contained in Thai NDT.
I probably use Betadine way more than most people (for me and my various animals) and I've never found it an issue with Hashimoto's. Many years ago I had a rescue donkey and he had an anaerobic infection in one hoof - after drilling it (the horn) and draining it, the vet told me to keep his lower leg in a bucket with Betadine solution, twice a day for about 30 minutes and the next several days. I had to immerse my hands/arms in the solution to fulfil the instruction. The donkey recovered very well I'm glad to say.
This is frequently advised here
It avoids the stomach...and upsets.
Vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 ensure that calcium is absorbed easily and reaches the bone mass, while preventing arterial calcification. Helping to keep your heart and bones healthy. Separately, K2 regulates normal blood clotting, whilst D3 supports a healthy immune system and supports muscle function.
Vit D + Vit K
I've recently bought from British Vitamins D3,K2,calcium, magnesium body maintenance and take 2 capsules daily after usually taking supermarket vit d and calcium for years until I read that I needed k2 too. I'd been getting terrifically painful cramp in my left leg at side of knee/thigh area.
RedAppleAdministrator
A very small minority of people are intolerant of vitamin D supplements.
Although 1,000 iu isn't considered a high dose, you may be one of those that need to take things very, very slowly and build up your level more gradually.
For example:
Try taking just one of your 1000iu tablets every few days, or just once a week instead of every day. Then try reducing the number of days between doses.
Another alternative, if you want to avoid the digestive system, is to try transdermal absorption. There are a couple of ways to supplement transdermaly:
Buy vitamin D gel caps. Split a capsule onto an area of skin such as your inner thigh or upper underarm, and rub the liquid in.
Or, you could try transdermal patches, which you literally stick onto your skin.
jenny876,
Some people just don’t metabolise Vit D as well as others, and to force Vit D supplementation can result in a build up of calcium in the blood (headaches, dizziness, nausea and thirst from kidneys having to work harder, weak bones muscles and pain). .
Vitamin D is implicated in calcium and phosphorus metabolism but also has immune modulating functions (eg TH-1 ( cell-mediated) and TH2 (humoral) arms of the immune system) that can get messed up in Hashi. Also helps regulate insulin secretion/sensitivity and so balances blood sugars and a true deficiency (or inability to use it well) eventually results in insulin resistance. Do you have this?
Like MTHFR impairments now ‘in fashion’ it used to be variations of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene that were associated with thyroid autoimmunity. Also gut/pancreas conditions that inhibit good absorption as (fat soluble) Vit D requires fats to be properly digested and absorbed. I take a pancreatic support in acknowledgement of complex Hashi repercussions.
Isabella Wentz - Thyroid & Vit D ... thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
Any idea why it might cause me to get cramp in feet and legs?
TSH110,
No, I don’t have these problems myself and info generally suggests excess Vit D causes muscle pain but we are all individual, so I guess cramps are possible 🤷♀️.
If supplementing Vit D is inducing symptoms I would say be careful because they could be indicative of an inability to correctly metabolise additional, which can lead to too much calcium being liberated into the blood stream.
These supplements are supposed to make us feel better and Vit D should be treated with respect like our thyroid meds as is another hormone with all the intricate and complex workings that go with it.
I dont think they have any real idea what causes cramp, “idiopathic” is frequently trotted out. I’m amazed that something so common is so poorly understood.
I presume it is caused by a chemical imbalance as you say. I have read others saying it causes them cramp as well. If it’s never really been studied I don’t suppose any data on it exists, so it’s all hearsay. I’m getting cramp in my hands these days, not very nice! Mixing things in a bowl with a wooden spoon is guaranteed to set it off - switching hands just causes it to occur in the other hand. Muscle fatigue? Who knows….
Try fish oil - it is a natural form of vit D
No, but I recently started taking the same dose and suffered from stomach cramps. Have now switched to a vitamin D oral spray and this seems to have worked.
Hi, I have been taking my for many years the doc prescribed them perhaps you should speak to your doc. Best wishes.
I get tinnitus when I take vitamin d. Was really bad when I first started out. Managed to get my level to 60, still have issues. But I'm oddly suffering with stiff neck, headaches and nerve pain. Painful shoulders and elbows again. Seems to be when I try and up my levo. Not sure what to do at the moment.
I had stiff neck and headaches and pain all over on Teva Levothyroxine - didnt have this with Wockhardt Levothyroxine but it made my stomach really bloated and painful. What brand of Vitamin D did you take?
I've tried loads, but I take Vivo life, it's an oil one you drop under the tongue. Its all natural. Get it from amazon.I take Aristo levo, (can't have lactose) been on it years. Just started suffering last year with shoulder pain, headaches and neck pain have started this year. I don't really know what to do
I have a lot of cervical pain in neck from wear and tear but also have fibromyalgia and nerve pain in right side of head and neck which extends into right arm and hand. Have tried all sorts of painkillers but couldnt tolerate them so now only have cocodamol to take which doesnt really help. Im looking into getting trigger point injections but nowhere seems to do them now. Have you had an MRI of your neck and head to see if there is a cause of your pain?
Mines all on the right hand side. I was diagnosed with a fatty liver last year, so thought it was to do with that as that can cause shoulder and elbow pain and so can low iron which i also have. But I'm waiting for nerve tests to see if I have compounded nerves as I get pins and needles in my arms at night. So will wait for that and go from there I guess.
I got a blood test with low vitamin D and was asked to retest in a few weeks. In those weeks I ate lots of mushrooms and my levels were within range for the next test. So if you are both worried about your vitamin d levels and supplements why not try diet.
The other thing to consider is it may be the other ingredients in the pill that are disagreeing with you. Or not the pills at all.
Thats really interesting - I really like mushrooms so will eat more of them - what other kind of foods are good for upping vitamin D levels? The Vitamin D I have been taking is Vitabiotics and a kind user here posted all the ingredients that are in these which can cause side effects.
Eggs, dairy, fish and soya are also good.
You could always try putting your mushrooms on a sunny window ledge
fungi.com/blogs/articles/pl...
How interesting, thanks for the link
I've taken 10,000 iu every day (well every day for ages and now when I remember about 3/4 times a week), since 2014. I take K2 and magnesium. I have read a lot about it and if I take less my levels drop dramatically. My levels were only 16 when I was diagnosed.
I have been taking vitamin d capsules for years with no ill effects. Take it with K2 to make sure the calcium goes into your bones and teeth and not your soft tissues. Low vitamin D levels caused my gallbladder to be full of calcium stones when it was removed. I take 5000iu twice a week with the fattest meal of the day. I am lucky I have never had a headache in my life maybe change the type that you are taking.
Yes the one I have been taking has lots of fillers and no Vitamin K so will definetly change it.
I use 5Greens D3 with K2 no fillers or binders all seems ok not had blood test yet for levels hope to in a few weeks but originally on low side
Packaging very simple reseal bag
vitamin D is recommended by gp’s now as a hormone rather than a vitamin as it is a catalyst for other functions in the body, however you can deplete magnesium levels in the body by taking too much so perhaps that’s why you are getting this reaction. Low magnesium is one of the first things to consider with headaches and migraines.
I see someone said to look for a cleaner vit D. I buy mine from naturplus.co.uk as gel capsules with olive oil carrier in the capsule. I have heard that it’s good to take magnesium to aid how the body uses vit d (as well as K2 if there are no contraindications/medication interactions) so it might help to include magnesium (not magnesium oxide as too little is available to absorb)
Hi, 1000IU is a standard pretty low dose. You make vit D in your body every day and it is used in so many vital processes. If you think you experience side effects from something new you are taking I suggest you first look at the other bulking ingredients. As per other replies I do favour the Nature’s Provides Vit D3+K2. Always best to take together.
It could be a reaction to the fillers in the vit d tablets form, I take better you spray under my tongue and works so much better then the tablet form xx
I've been taking vit d/k2 for over 20 years and never had any side effects from it. I think it's very difficult to OD on vit D but perhaps it's interacting with something else you're taking? And in any case, the human body is so complex with so many interactions, anything is possible.
These are the two books I read quite a few years ago, after which I started taking very high doses vitamin D3 + K2. A lump on my collarbone (fractured in teens), and bone spur on elbow, etc. disappeared 🤗 I also believe the weird skin problems, (around 50/60 yrs old) when I began avoiding strong sunlight), were most probably due to low vitamin D (actually a hormone!)
Gareth Davies, PhD is a top researcher on the list of 200 professors, scientists, and doctors, recommending government on higher doses (at least 4,000 iu), during the pandemic. He now takes 10,000 iu a day himself.
D3 with K2 included, is available on line from Oxford Vitality.
……………………………..
amazon.co.uk/Miraculous-Res....
Book on Vitamin D3 by Jeff T Bowles, US researcher and sportsman, who healed his long standing injuries. He spoke of the scandal way back of how BigPh downplayed it’s importance…….
……………………………….
amazon.co.uk/Vitamin-K2-Cal...
Book by Kate Rheaume-Bleu
I’ve not had headaches from taking vit D, but the one time I was found to have lower than ideal levels from a blood test (back in 2016) I was put on a massive dose for fifteen days to get my levels back up. Five days in I started to get joint pain, which increased the next day. After consultation with my GP we reduced the amount to a much lower dose required for thirty days, on the condition I was rechecked at the end of it. Joint pain vanished.
I now take a low dose of vitamin D daily and have been fine on that eversince.
I have had side effects - but different, not headaches. Last autumn I discovered my Vit D levels were very low and I was prescribed 1000iu by my GP. Within a few days I felt extremely hyped up and was unable to relax, with racing heart. I stopped taking the tablets as I felt so bad. The pharmacist and the GP did not think Vitamin D would give that effect. I wondered if it could be the shock of having a large dose immediately and decided to gradually build up my intake of Vitamin D, so I started with a low dose 12.5ug (Wilko own brand). I also took cod liver oil capsules, and had Horlicks/Ovaltine every night (both include low levels of Vit D). This was fine, and I then decided to purchase Better You spray 3000iu with K2 and take one spray only per day (1000iu). Again this worked with no ill effects. As my levels had been so low in autumn, and the general advice on this site was to take more than 1000iu, after coping with one 1000iu spray, I started taking the tablet 12.5ug as well.
This worked very well and I then had a blood test a month ago. My vitamin D level had increased from 46 nmol/L last October, to 76.2 nmol/L. I continued to take one spray and one tablet until 10 days ago. The hyped up feeling had returned, and I felt "hyper" again with very loose bowels. I had started a new Better You spray two days beforehand, and the force of the spray was much stronger than my previous container which was running out so I believe I had an increased dose. The weather also had improved and I had been out and about in strong sun. I stopped taking the vitamin D spray and tablet and now I feel normal again. I will restart the tablets in a couple of weeks time when the sun is less strong and then go back onto the spray in autumn and winter.
So my suggestion is to build up taking Vit D rather than starting with 1000iu and see if the headaches disappear.
I just bought the Better You D3000 + K2 spray before I saw your comment! Might try to get one of the more natural brands people have recommended on here at a low dose to start of with then build up like you did. Thank you!
Ma6be it the brand of VitD…..various additives etc can cause issues especially if headaches…what Brand? Susan
I got very bad aura migraines when taking vitamin D and K2-7. I do get auras but only every 2 or 3 months. They increase to 13 plus a month. It didn't dawn in me it might be the D and K2 but once I stopped, they gradually went back to my norm. I do take magnesium and B2 for my auras, I maybe should have increased the magnesium.....
Hi Jenny , If you are concerned at all, please look up the information on the Grass Roots Vitamin D Council website. I take vit D drops and wouldn't be without them with the UK weather and working indoors. There are no fillers with drops and even the capsule shell could have been responsible for your headache and stiff neck , if not pure coincidence.
I take Natures Answer (amazon)- 2000iu per drop. The box highlights 4000 but that is per serving which is 2 drops. If your levels are low enough for a GP to advise you getting your levels up, then your levels must be low. After much research, listening to Funcional Health doctors and reading info from the Vitamin D Council and elsewhere I like my vit D level to be no less than 125mmol/L (Vit D Council is American where they measure in NG. X by 2.5 to get mmol/L so if they quote a level of 50ng as beneficial that would equal UK 125mmol/L)
Drops are therefore easier to use to get levels up without taking tons of capsules. I dont take less than 2 drops (4000iu) per day. Sometimes 5/6 drops if not well. Vit D Council have done many many years of research since the founder Carole Baggerly (realised from research that she could have prevented her breast cancer by having optimum levels . I have posted before a video link of a doctor with 30 years of research who explains why vit D needs to be taken (or made by skin exposure) everyday. I will try and find to post here.
There is research that if you have a health condition then your vit D level ought to be around 150mmol/L
Of course there is a caviat. Vit D however obtained encourages the body to absorb more calcium from food etc. Therefore everyone needs to supplement with vitamin K2 (this is not K1, and having separate function from K1 was only recognized in the 1990's and so most GP's/ health practitioners have never heard of so a aste of time asking . Vit K2 is responsible for triggering the enzyme that is responsible for escorting calcium to where it should be. If deficient in K2 which many are then calcium will take the easier route and drift to soft tissue, organs and muscles. If you wish to read up on this information x
Kate Rheaume Bleue's book. The Calcium Paradox - the little known vitamin that could save your life.
I take vit K2 drops also (vitamaze K2 drops - amazon)
grassrootshealth.net/blog/d...
youtube.com/watch?v=FbheaUL...
Excellent info - thank you so much!
I was aware not to make my last post too long. But just to add you may meet those who wonder why multi vit tablets and the Recommended Daily Amount, even in pregnancy vits of vit d is 400iu. This figure has remained since the 1930's . That was the amount they found required to prevent children getting rickets when rickets was a huge problem However so much has been learned about the body's vit D requirements since, yet the RDA has remained the same I believe.
A friend of mine, despite walking for miles to work all his life in sun and of course rain, lots of sunny holidays abroad he was diagnosed with Polymylitis ( damage to muscles, inhibiting his walking and activity) His vitamin D level was abnormal low at below 30 when tested. His GP gave him a tablet containing 45000iu to be taken once per week. I advised him that as per Dr Hollis that he needed to take every day. He therefore took at least 10,000iu drops per day and reached a level of 150mmol/L within 6 months, and withno sign of illness was totally well (with no other treatment of steroids etc that the had GP wished to push on him) He has remained well for many years now and ensures he takes vit d and k2 drops every day. x
Hi jenny876,Most Vit D supplements ( and some others) trigger headaches with me too. I think it may be the other additives in them though. Last year I tried a few different brands of Vit D including the oral spray, all gave headaches except fir Doctor's Best VitaminD3 5000iu these seem to have fewer ingredients. They are gluten and soy free but do contain gelatin. Hope you are able to find a brand that suit you.
Good luck.
In late fall and throughout the winter I supplement w/D3. When I was tested this past March my GP said my Vit D levels were too high. I was around the 60,70% range. So I looked up Vit D toxicity (I thought one could never have too much D3). From Cleveland Clinic, increased thirst (which is what I experienced)muscle weakness & difficulty walking are a couple others, but not what you have experienced as a neg. side affect.
Hi Jenny I experienced lethargy- an hour after taking prescribed Vitamin D - fall asleep, and IBS like symptoms.
Hi, was it prescribed from your GP? Maybe has fillers and ingredients in it that cause side effects.
Hi there, you could try vitamin D fortified milk . If you are n UK , Arla - kids vitamin enriched milk, Tom Parker's D, Mg,K2 , McQueen's daries D fortified milk.
I seem to get cramp in my legs and feet from Vitamin D supplementing, I’ve no idea why, but have read others suffer similarly. I use betteryou vit D k2 spray but only occasionally a blast about every two weeks to a month
I suppose we were all carnivores millions of years ago. We must have been vegetarian at some point though because apparently that’s why we required an appendix which is now, of course, redundant.
Do you have any views on the Ancestral Supplements? I’ve been looking recently at the Beef Liver one. I don’t eat a great deal of meat and no offal at all
Hi there! When I got my levels up, I stopped having aches and pains all over my body. Its also important to make sure that whatever vitamins you're taking have the "USP" emblem on the bottle so you ensure they have in them what the bottle says they do. There have been a lot of studies and tests done showing most companies just put fillers and sugar in there vitamins instead of what is supposed to be in them.
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