What Vitamin D can I take with colitis and lactose intolerant 🤔

[birkie]

Hi everyone 🥰Merry Christmas to all members ☃️🎄

So...my thyroid bloods appear to be coming in range with TSH now at 2.65 [ still a little high but way better that 45.66 and 18.3 ..🤷‍♀️] blood done on 4th Nov 2024 [no T4, T3..🤦‍♀️]

My results on Sep 20th 2024 we're

TSH..18.3...range..[0.30-4.50]

T3...4.3....range..3.10-6.80]

T4..8.6..range..11.00-22.00]

I'm currently taking one and a quarter grains I tried one and a half grains but felt bad with what I thought may be over medicated, but after getting bloods done on Sep 19th [ should have been full thyroid panel the nurse did parathyroid instead which showed over range.

[ I have primary hyperparathyroidism diagnosed].

So had full thyroid panel done on Sep 20th🤦‍♀️ results above👆

I've been in this flare up since my parathyroid went overactive and because the symptoms are similar to over medication I'm struggling to increase back to one and a half [ ndt] private prescription...just have to bite the bullet I suppose 😮‍💨

But gp as had the knee jerk reaction to my parathyroid being over range in that she as told me to get some vitamin D...its not that simple as any vitamin D I've taken as given stomach and bowel issues, I've been looking into the clean versions of vitamin D online but it's a minefield, they all promise no nasty stuff in there products and there not cheep either, I honestly can't afford to pay for these products if they don't agree with me, also I'm paying for my own ndt at the end of Dec my lovely son as been paying for it the last 2 prescriptions 🥰.

No help from gp when I mentioned this only that she could pescribe vitamin D which would be that red ,blue ,yellow gel capsules they gave me the last time I was so ill on them🤮

Does anyone know of a vitamin D that's very gentle on the stomach?

I've tried the better you spray and that gave the same stomach and bowel problems 😒

[Jazzw]

So glad to read that you’re finally getting somewhere with thyroid hormone replacement—it’s been such a long road for you. x

I’ve looked up the ingredients for Better You Vit D and can see why it might be an issue—just look at these ingredients!

Water, diluent (xylitol), emulsifiers (acacia gum and sunflower lecithin), cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), acidity regulator (citric acid), preservative (potassium sorbate), flavouring (natural peppermint oil).

I don’t have a recommendation, sorry—but hope someone does. It does look a minefield!

[birkie in reply to Jazzw]

Thanks for the reply 👍 yeah the better you spray gave me horrible stomach cramps , loose bowels ,and it does say on the back..can cause a laxative effect 🤦‍♀️ my only issue is if I start back on vit d [ my vit d is 34🤦‍♀️ so it's insufficient, if it causes a laxative effect it could also effect my ndt, I take it 3 times a day in powder form...I also asked the gp if I could possibly have vit d injections, she flatly refused saying we don't do vitamin D injections 😡

[diagnosed2013 in reply to birkie]

Hi...I am similar to you with reactions to meds & the only vitamin D3 I've found that suits me is nature's best, its vitamin D3 drops in virgin olive oil for maximum absorption & no other nasties. Its on their website, & not too pricey. Will check now as I bought last bottle ages ago & still using it now. Typical...just checked their website & they no longer do this one I mentioned above its discontinued!

So doing a bit of research for something similar with no nasties have come across this one in the pic I will add photo, its on amazon...anyone else use this one? It looks similar as it's in sunflower oil & also contains the K2 that we should take with D3 & no other additives....hope this helps

This is the D3 in oil that looks very similar & this one is in stock on Amazon.

[diagnosed2013 in reply to diagnosed2013]

These are currently £12.99 on Amazon for a year's supply...

[diagnosed2013 in reply to Jazzw]

..

Ingredients list for the D3 & K2

[Tina_Maria]

I know what you mean, it is sometimes ridiculous what they put in supplements🤦‍♀️

I am taking Nutravita Vitamin D3 (3000IU) & K2 (100mcg) sourced on Amazon. Easy to swallow little capsule.

The ingredients say: Bulking Agent (Microcrystalline Cellulose), Vegetable Capsule Shell (HydroxyPropylMethylCellulose), Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone - 7)

Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate (fibre), and is the primary structure of plant cell walls, so a natural component.

I have been taking these for a few years now without any problems.

Vitamin D3 & K2 Nutravita label

[birkie in reply to Tina_Maria]

Thanks...👍 we're they expensive?

[Tina_Maria in reply to birkie]

They are on offer at the moment, 120 capsules for £12.99, which is not bad, considering that you won't get any nasties. If you do a subscription, you get them 5% cheaper (you can always cancel the subscription again!😉).

[Fine in reply to Tina_Maria]

I take these as well, don't cause me any problems. Have raised my D level nicely.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Fine]

Yes they do seem to do the trick; it is really difficult to find anything these days without a lot of other stuff in them! I started on a Vitamin D level of around 60, within about 12-14 months it was 96 and now it is 126 nmol/L. My mom is hypothyroid too and I source these for her as well. She is lactose intolerant, so good from that point of view too.

[CraftyGamer19]

the best vitamin D and best absorbed that I’ve ever taken is in sublingual drop form. I used to take ApexEnergetics liqua-D but that can be kind of difficult to access since it usually needs to be ordered by a doctor. You can find it on eBay but it gets kind of pricey. I recently found one on amazon by RxVitamins called liqui-D3 that seems pretty similar. Literally the only ingredients are vitamin D and olive oil. You put a drop (or in my case 3-5 drops) under your tongue and hold it there for a couple of minutes. It skips the digestive system entirely. It really helped bring my vitamin D levels up. Hope this helps!

[birkie in reply to CraftyGamer19]

Thank you👍 I've been on a couple company's sites one with British attach to its name🤷‍♀️ you can purchase one month or 2, 3 months supply I think the 1 month was £19 + postage , so I've been looking at prices ranging from £19 up to £30 odd..🫣 it's a flipping lot of money to folk out if I can't stomach it..😔

I'll look it up on amazon..thanks👍

[diagnosed2013 in reply to CraftyGamer19]

Hi...trying to find these on amazon, can't see them. What were they called? Thanks 😊

[CraftyGamer19 in reply to diagnosed2013]

Liqua-D from apexenergetics or liqui-D from RxVitamins. You should find them if you look up vitamin D drops

[diagnosed2013 in reply to CraftyGamer19]

Thank you 😊

[RedApple]

birkie, I don't know whether this will be of help for your particular circumstances, but vitD can actually be absorbed transdermally, so it doesn't need to be swallowed and transported via the digestive system.

If you're browsing Amazon, have a look for vitD drops that you could drop onto your skin and rub in, or those little gel caps that can be split open onto your skin and rubbed in.

[RedApple in reply to RedApple]

As you have parathyroid issues, you might want to start on very low dose vitD to see how well you tolerate it. Have a look at these as an example. amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09... They're really low dose drops, mean for babies/children, but maybe one or two drops rubbed into your skin daily would be worth trialling.

[birkie in reply to RedApple]

Thanks for the reply, the last time I took the vitamin D prescribed by endocrinologist it raised my calcium making me more ill...my calcium is mid range above 2,40 so not low as in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Specialists and gps don't have a clue how parathyroid disease acts, both times both this year and last year my parathyroid hormone was over range with over range calcium and top end calcium, it's a flipping lottery getting bloods done because the dumb Specialists and gps think because your calcium comes bk in range on one test, it will never go over range again, that's what I was told.." ho your calcium is now in range so you don't have a parathyroid problem 😂😂😂😂..DUMB as a box of 🐸.

So now I've to play the vitamin d game again, honestly when will these people study these subjects more...[ thyroid and parathyroid problems] 😡😡😡

[helvella in reply to RedApple]

There has been a fairly recent paper (June 2024) on topical application of vitamin D. It goes on a bit about precise requirements for it to be absorbed well then concludes it can be quite a good idea!

Administration of vitamin D3 topical in increasing serum vitamin

D level: A literature review

Conclusion

Most of the world's population experiences a

deficiency in vitamin D, which is linked to various

dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo,

ichthyosis, and skin cancer. The essential role of

vitamin D and its lipophilic nature make it possible

to deliver it topically through the transdermal route.

Research has demonstrated that topically applying

vitamin D is both safe and effective in raising serum

vitamin D levels. It can serve as an alternative to

daily supplementation or as a therapeutic option for

certain dermatological conditions

scholarhub.ui.ac.id/cgi/vie...

[FallingInReverse]

Hi Birkie, I looked at the ingredients to my D and unless manufacturers make a habit of hiding things … these look benign?

They are gummies, and don’t appear to have any fillers. Not sure what you are sensitive to, but thought I’d share what I’ve been taking.

D

[traveltime]

hi there, I don't know if my story will help, but here you go. I changed from better you vitD because of the taste and also ingredients that I didn't spot from internet info. I need/want to keep things as clean as poss. In the end I got something else from Amazon - Anumegeo. It took a while to track down something with minimal listed ingredients in combination with a dose level I could calculate (ie £/dose) Ingredients on the bottle label visible on the internet say Emulsifier fractionated coconut oil MCT (medium chain triglyceride, Cholocalciferol (D3) Menaquinone MK7 K. 1000iU D3/drop. I've just checked the box and it says the same. It is (to me) completely free of taste and sensation, so I had to time drops and I could to calculate my drop count (that may just me though).

[birkie in reply to traveltime]

Thanks....its just a mindfield of ingredients , that's why I'm on the natural dessicated thyroid...no nasty fillers or bulking agents, and I've had no stomach/bowel issues at all been on them since July 18th this year.

I definitely don't want to upset the stomach/ bowels whilst I'm on a good thyroid hormone, I take it 3 times a day split , don't want the runs, it may effect the ndt absorption 🤦‍♀️

[bantam12]

You may find there isn’t a vitd that agrees with you, some of us are unable to take any of them.

[birkie in reply to bantam12]

That's what I told my gp, I'd been trying since 2020 to stomach it that's why I asked if I could have injections instead, but she flatly refused 😡..but I'm sure you can pay for vitamin d injections 🤔 My son as just called me , I was telling him the saga that I'm apprehensive to go back on loading doses of vitamin d , I definitely don't want the runs when I'm taking my ndt, I take it 3 times a day .

I mentioned injections, he said he'd pay for them but I don't know where to start in getting them?

Where do you go?

How do you do it?

My gp is useless and is of no help😡

[bantam12 in reply to birkie]

Be wary as injections won’t necessarily prevent side effects and once it’s in there’s nothing you can do about it, at least with oral you can stop taking them ! When I had Hpth my Endo and surgeon were concerned at my low level but both said injections were not sensible given the side effects I get. I accept now that my normal vitd level is low and I don’t worry about it, nor do I try and increase it.

[RedApple in reply to birkie]

I totally agree with bantam12 , definitely don't risk vitamin D by injection as you could end up extremely unwell for quite a long time.

Don't go with any 'loading dose' for the same reason. Try the low dose transdermal route as I mentioned above. That way you are in control, it's not going to affect your colitis, and you can stop as soon as you start to get any negative effects.

[birkie in reply to RedApple]

My endocrinologist and gp just keep using my low vit d [34] as the cause of my over range parathyroid hormone, but my calcium is 2.41] not low.This means they never have to actually deal with my raised parathyroid in connection with my diagnosis of phpt, I'm just going round in circles with them.

What bugs me is a private parathyroid surgeon in Oxford would do 4 gland exploration privately around 6 grand ...but the nhs won't touch me..eventho I'm symptomatic 😡 it sucks...well I'll do the lottery again this Saturday 🤞🤞🤞🤞

[RedApple in reply to birkie]

' just keep using my low vit d [34] as the cause of my over range parathyroid hormone,'

That makes no sense! Many, many people have low vitamin D but they don't also have over range parathyroid hormone because of their low vitamin D.

[birkie in reply to RedApple]

I know even when I managed to get my vit d to 53 in 2021 my parathyroid still went over , as did my calcium 🤦‍♀️ so yeah it makes no sense, I'm sure it's just a way of gaslighting me...I bet if I don't ever go back on vitamin D and I get my next bloods done on January 20th 2025 and my parathyroid as gone back in range, how would the gp explain that🤷‍♀️...I might just do that, do a little experiment myself see if the pth remains over range or not without taking vit d.I've always done what the endocrinologist and gp suggests when pth is over range and calcium is mid to top end , sometimes the pth goes bk in range sometimes it's not🤷‍♀️

Just getting sick of this now, in the gp letter she says..." your vitamin D is slightly low but this is to be expected living in this climate, I recommend you buy some vitamin d to help with the raised pth..😂😂😢😢

[helvella]

£14.97 plus £3 p&p = £17.97.

[birkie]

Yes that's secondary hyperparathyroidism where the calcium is low and vitamin D is low raising the pth, but my calcium as been 2.67, 2.61, 2.59 , and my last one in Sep 2.41with over range pth,..so it's not low and never as been since 2020 when both calcium and pth were over range, then had over range again in 2021,2022 2023 when they actually bothered to do bloods..diagnosis primary hyperparathyroidism , but they keep jumping on the fact both go bk in to range and that's is....you don't have primary hyperparathyroidism anymore. 😂I know that's a joke, I'm seeing a parathyroid surgeon in Liverpool nhs she as done scans, just had my last one in June this year, she wants a target as the nhs don't consider my levels to be important 😡 I know there wrong, it's just getting them to understand the calcium and pth does not have to be sky high for you to be symptomatic 🤷‍♀️

[redhead41]

Look into the Nutrients Team Protocol. It has a lot of useful information with regards to the parathyroids and vit d.

[Gardencab]

I use Dr Vegan for most of my supplements. No nasties as far as I’m aware, and quite reasonably priced.

Taken from website

[ThyroidThora]

Hi there,

I’m sorry to hear about all your problems.

Maybe it is the vitamin D3 that is the issue. It is made by extracting it from the sweat glands of sheep just beneath the wool. I have a vitamin D deficiency but I am allergic to all parts of sheep, wool, meat and lanolin etc so, I can’t take supplements and so I eat vitamin d rich food sources. I eat salmon, vitamin d enhanced mushrooms and occasionally vitamin d enriched bread from M&S. I am a diabetic and follow a low carbohydrate diet which means I eat very little bread. Perhaps you might be better adapting your diet or try vegan vitamin D2 supplements.

Good luck and I hope you manage to get a good balance with all aspects of your health.

Take care, TT.

[RedApple in reply to ThyroidThora]

ThyroidThora, there are plenty of lichen derived vitamin D3 supplements available now.

[ThyroidThora in reply to RedApple]

Hi,

Vitamin D3 is made from cholecalciferol which is derived from sheep. The lichen can be grown on sheep’s wool to increase the vitamin d content so, being allergic to sheep, means I do not consume any vitamin d3. Vitamin d2 is a better option provided the plant is not grown on sheep’s wool which, can be the case.

TT.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to ThyroidThora]

As 🍎 suggests if you go for a vegan D3 it doesn't involve animals... healthspan.co.uk/advice/goi...

[RedApple in reply to ThyroidThora]

ThyroidThora, I've not heard about lichen being grown on sheep fleece before. Do you have a reputable link to this information please?

[ThyroidThora in reply to RedApple]

No sorry, I contact manufacturers direct to find out how the product is made and avoid all supplements these days and prefer to get vitamin d in my food.

[helvella in reply to ThyroidThora]

This product very strongly claims:

VEGAN: Most Vitamin D3 Supplements Are Made of Lanolin, Which is Extracted from Sheep Wool. We Do Not Use Animal By-Products Of Any Kind. Our D3 is Vegan and Made from Wild Harvested Lichen.

Vitamin D from Natural Wild Harvested Lichen 2500 IU

naturelo.co.uk/products/vit...

[ThyroidThora in reply to helvella]

I beg to differ. It should state vitamin D2 if it is pure plant based.

[helvella in reply to ThyroidThora]

That is far from the only source which identifies some lichen as being a source of cholecalciferol (D3).

As ergocalciferol is produced in plants and fungi, it is always suitable for vegans, while cholecalciferol can be derived from either sheep wool (a nonvegan source) or lichen (a vegan-friendly source).

europepmc.org/article/MED/3...

[ThyroidThora in reply to helvella]

Ergocalciferol is vitamin D2 (plant based and vegan) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is derived from animals.

[RedApple in reply to ThyroidThora]

Interesting information here about D3 from lichen

Lichens: The Lesser-Known Vegan Source of Vitamin D3 wellbeingnutrition.com/blog...

[ThyroidThora in reply to RedApple]

Thanks for the link.

[Humphre]

Sorry to hear of your tummy troubles. I use British Supplements check them out online even email them for info, no fillers while not cheap aren't to bad seem to be ok for me I use a few if their products. Good luck in your quest.

[AVNA]

I'm taking this: "Deva Vegan Vitamin D 3" because I'm vegan. If interested you may do some "google" and find out other things.

[Tina_Maria]

I have used them in the past too and they also contain sunflower oil, which helps with absorption. What I did not like was that I had to buy the MK7-K2 separately to take with it and if money is a concern, it does work out more expensive. I need 3000IU to keep my levels, so have switched. But agree, nice clean product.

[JKW1]

I take Vita Premium vit D3 4000 iu softgel capsules. stated on the bottle: They are free of: dairy, soya, gluten, fish, nuts, eggs, mustard, celery, shellfish and peanuts, with zero artificial fillers or binders. Years supply, reasonably priced on AmazonGood luck 🙋

[nightingale-56]

I use Superself D3 with K2 drops in Olive Oil birkie . Sorry, I don't know how to do links, but I buy from Amazon, cost about £8. and raise my D3 very well. I am now on 1/2 dose per day.

[diagnosed2013]

Hi...I've used this company for a few things. I've got their D3 & K2 & it has no nasties in & only rice flour filler so think it's OK. So far I've not reacted badly to them & I'm very sensitive like you to fillers in meds/supplements. I could open a pharmacy with supplements I've tried that haven't suited me. Will post pic & in comments will post ingredients list too. Hope this helps you.

This is the vitamin D3 & K2 I've just started taking. No nasties in it...