Optimal reference ranges for vitamins/nutrients, all in one place?

[tomranson85]

Hi all, does anyone know if there is a post containing optimal reference ranges for vitamins/nutrients, all in one place? I feel it would be a habdy resource for "at a glance" comparison.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Well, I've made loads of posts where I list the optimal levels but there isn't a pinned post about it.

Vit D - The Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L (50ng/ml) and the Vit D Society recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L (40-60ng/ml).

Serum B12 - According to an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

Acltive B12 - below 70 suggests testing for B12 deficiency, over 70 is therefore suggested to be adequate. Personally, I like to see my Active B12 over 100.

Ferritin - It's said that for thyroid hormone to work properly (that's our own as well as replacement hormone) ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range. I've seen it said that 100-130 is good for females and 150 is good for males.

Of course, doctors don't get much tuition about nutrients so we don't expect them to understand "optimal", they just seem to think that anywhere in range is fine.

[tomranson85 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hey SeasideSusie, good to hear from you again many thanks for that really useful collection of info. Perhaps this post could be adjusted+pinned as it's a helpful resource?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to tomranson85]

There are only so many pinned posts allowed by HealthUnlocked, I think because this is discussed so frequently it wouldn't take precedence over the other important ones already pinned.

[tomranson85 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ah fair enough, I wasn't aware of that. Not to worry, but many thanks for posting it for my benefit

[nosydney in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for this, really useful. There have been so many numbers buzzing around my head in the last few months, it's good to have them all together. One thing is clear, my levels for ferritin, Vit D and Vit B12 haven't been anywhere near optimal for a very long time!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I like to look here:

ods.od.nih.gov/

That is, the USA's Office of Dietary Supplements. For quite a number of substances they have both general, member of the public, information and a "professional" sheet.

Reason I like going there is that they usually give reasonably comprehensive information, explanations of levels, doses, forms - and links to sources.

Like all "official" sources, it pays to be aware of their limitations but probably better than those who have products to sell. And you need to remember that the USA sometimes uses different units, words, etc.

For those who prefer their information in Spanish, that too is an available option!

SeasideSusie