Vitamin D3 - I know it's been discussed many times, but does anybody

[MJN]

know of a chart that tells you how much to give an adult and how much to give a child to keep them from getting it or if they do get it, how much to get well?

 

Thanks so much!

 

Molly

[Jeannie in NJ]

I read somewhere to take 1000 iu per each 25 pounds of body weight. I am giving my 12 and 14 year olds at least 3000 iu a day, sometimes double that but I can't find anything official about dosage. I am taking 7000 to 10000 myself. Hopefully, someone will know of a link.

[Tam101]

I found this a few weeks ago and posted it on another thread.

 

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/newsletter/2008-october.shtml

[sbgrace]

What you want is levels of 25 (OH) D to be in the 50's. How much it takes to get there if a person is low depends on the individual and their level. So there is no way to make a good recommendation without knowing levels.

 

1000 IU per 25 pounds will maintain most people's vitamin D levels. But maintain isn't good enough if you're low. It took me 9-10,000 IU per day to get my level to normal.

 

Kids over age one and up to 10 (I think on the 10) can safely take 2000 IU per day (or 1000 IU per 25 pounds). So that is a good option for a kid when you don't know the level.

 

Adults can take 9,000 IU per day without getting too much. So that is what we're giving my husband right now during flu season since we don't know his level. I'm taking the maintenance dose (and extra when I've been out and about) because I know my level is good.