Good deal Vitamin D high normal now

[jumpinjiminy]

Since finding out I had this defective enzyme that can't convert D2 to D3, I went off the prescription D2 and onto OTC D3. For the first time since starting high dose Ds last year, my level is finally in the normal range. Therein lies the value of genetic testing.

I have been feeling better lately than I have in a very long time. It seems the D problem was adding to the whole picture. It gives me more active days before hitting a crash.

Now to find a dose to maintain the level.

[nutritiontara]

J-jiminy; you got it right, continue to test and know YOUR vit D dose. That's where people fall off and think they're adequate.

Amazing Docs are still prescribing D2 ???!!

[Mamabug]

Tara --

I take a daily supplement of 5000mg D3. (I also get an additional 300 mg, or so, in a Cal-mag supplement that I take.)

Although I requested, at last year's annual blood test, that my physician test me for Vitamin D, and he seemed more than willing to do that, he neglected to order it, so I wasn't tested. Will try again next year.

In the meantime, is the 5000mg dose adequate? (My MS Specialist recommended 1000mg, I read, somewhere, that we should have 14,000mg daily if we have MS, but I know the the RDA is only 400mg.)

~ Faith

[beachcomber13]

Tara --

I take a daily supplement of 5000mg D3. (I also get an additional 300 mg, or so, in a Cal-mag supplement that I take.)

Although I requested, at last year's annual blood test, that my physician test me for Vitamin D, and he seemed more than willing to do that, he neglected to order it, so I wasn't tested. Will try again next year.

In the meantime, is the 5000mg dose adequate? (My MS Specialist recommended 1000mg, I read, somewhere, that we should have 14,000mg daily if we have MS, but I know the the RDA is only 400mg.)

~ Faith

I think what is adequate may depend on you. I take 8,000 mg daily, which is holding my level at 50.

Make sure you have your calcium checked, as well--my MS specialist was explaining the importance of that, especially for those (like me, unfortunately) who have had kidney stones. Taking too much Vitamin D can throw off your calcium level. I am not sure exactly how it works, but have both checked.

[Mamabug]

Thanks. I take a calcium supplement too (about 1000mg per day), but I'll try to remember to ask about that. I always take them together so that the calcium can help the Vitamin D be absorbed..

~ Faith

[Sequoia]

Thanks. I take a calcium supplement too (about 1000mg per day), but I'll try to remember to ask about that. I always take them together so that the calcium can help the Vitamin D be absorbed..

~ Faith

Calcium doesn't help Vitamin D be absorbed, Faith. It's the other way around. Vitamin D helps calcium be absorbed.

Too much Vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia, which can mean calcium is deposited in the body's soft tissues (where it doesn't belong). That can be quite a serious situation, although it's usually reversible.

[Mamabug]

Calcium doesn't help Vitamin D be absorbed, Faith. It's the other way around. Vitamin D helps calcium be absorbed.

...

Oops; thanks for the clarification. Either way, I take them together.

~ Faith

[Alicious]

Faith, 3000IU/day D3 got me from 40 to 67 over the span of a few months (4000IU/day got me to 40 from 22). This is anecdotal, of course, but I mention it because not all MS-ers need the same dose.

Whether 5000 is enough for you personally is really something you need to have your levels tested, probably more than once, in order to determine. Some people need high doses; others need lower ones, even if we all have MS.

[Mamabug]

Faith, 3000IU/day D3 got me from 40 to 67 over the span of a few months (4000IU/day got me to 40 from 22). This is anecdotal, of course, but I mention it because not all MS-ers need the same dose.

Whether 5000 is enough for you personally is really something you need to have your levels tested, probably more than once, in order to determine. Some people need high doses; others need lower ones, even if we all have MS.

Thanks; I understand the concept of having my levels tested. Will have that done next time I am at the doctor's office.

However, did I misread the beginning of your post? Did you Vitamin D levels increase with a dose of 3000mg D3, but decrease, with a higher dose of 4000mg?

~ Faith

[Sequoia]

Thanks; I understand the concept of having my levels tested. Will have that done next time I am at the doctor's office.

However, did I misread the beginning of your post? Did you Vitamin D levels increase with a dose of 3000mg D3, but decrease, with a higher dose of 4000mg?

~ Faith

I don't know how soon (or if) Alicious will come back to this thread, so I'll say how I interpreted her post FWIW.

She went from 22 to 40 on 4000 IU D3. She then went the rest of the way from 40 to 67 on 3000 IU D3.

I assume (but don't know) that the reason for reducing the dose was caution about not taking too much.

[jumpinjiminy]

J-jiminy; you got it right, continue to test and know YOUR vit D dose. That's where people fall off and think they're adequate.

Amazing Docs are still prescribing D2 ???!!

Maybe he wanted full credit for my physical improvement on his record? ROTFL. I'm glad he did, even though it wasn't quite strong enough to get me there. He only wanted my level at a 30. We were starting at 22, if I remember correctly. It wasn't a big shift he was aiming for anyway.

If he hadn't prescribed it, I may not have given a D supplement much thought at all. At the time, I hadn't been up on the research or news about vitamin D. Also . . . if I had not foolishly self-administered D3 instead and then ask to have my levels tested at the next blood draw requirement, it may have gotten too high!

When I see him next, I'll let him know how much better I feel now at 66 and gauge his response. He did originally prescribe D2 for the fatigue. It is closer to being resolved than it has been in years, years, years. I don't believe that it is only vitamin D that is helping resolve fatigue. There were several problems conspiring against me on that front, most of them appear to be treatable after all, even if we do find out how by accident.

[nutritiontara]

vit D results

Im glad you're doing better. Its always a combination of things we can take control of to improve our health.

My vit D testing trek:

8/2008 31; increased dosage to 4,000/day (all w D3)

1/09; 44; increased to 10,000/day

9/09; 52; even after a lot of summer sun & 10k/day, increased to 20,000/day

2/10; 77; reduced to 10,000/day

10/10; 60; continued at 10k/d

11/11; 54; increased to ~15,000/d

tested last Friday 1/20/12.......will post my new numbers this week.

My point is; it is incredibly complicated to find your optimal dose.
oh, and I consider myself to have above average digestion & absorption - (I better have, lol).

Obviously this amount of testing would not be covered by insurance...
However, a MS Dx would warrent testing - minimal 1x/year.

[Alicious]

I don't know how soon (or if) Alicious will come back to this thread, so I'll say how I interpreted her post FWIW.

She went from 22 to 40 on 4000 IU D3. She then went the rest of the way from 40 to 67 on 3000 IU D3.

I assume (but don't know) that the reason for reducing the dose was caution about not taking too much.

Yup, thanks! The dose was reduced because my levels were climbing more quickly than expected, so I went lower to continue a steady climb without having to be re-tested all the time.

Faith, I realize my phrasing was a bit unclear. I said I went to 40 from 22, meaning I was at 22 and then hit 40 on 4000IU. So, no decrease. I just didn't phrase it as clearly as I could have.

[jumpinjiminy]

Thank you, Tara. If you remember, can you post back what your new level is?

Also, have you happened to notice an improvement in your energy level or anything else since getting up in the higher normal range?

[jumpinjiminy]

One other thing that has me curious, in light of these unpredictable Vit D levels, and the thought was spawned by a rheumie a couple of years back. Her thought was the D level could be low because something in the body was using it up.

Would you happen to have any idea what bodily processes might use excess vitamin D to a level that would cause a big temporary drop requiring months or a year+ to restore with supplements?