Mommyfaithe Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I think mine are low...even low they say " normal" on my last tests. They are borderline low....even though I supplement daily. What are the optimal levels? Anyone know...Negin perhaps? Thanks, Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Top of range for B12, I think 50 (minimum of mid lab range) for D, you can take B12 regardless to see if it helps your energy, it won't hurt you. I take this one, under tongue: http://www.iherb.com/Natural-Factors-B12-Methylcobalamin-High-Potency-5000-mcg-60-Chewable-Tablets/15729?at=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I do best when my vitamin D is at least 80. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 DS3's vitamin D level was 30, so low that the doctor referred him to a hematologist. The hematologist thought nothing of it, so he is taking supplements. What I think is strange is that he has always had 1-2 quarts of milk a day, which is supplemented with vitamin D. I'd like to see his level be around 80. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 I do best when my vitamin D is at least 80. Thanks Jean. I thought 60 was the target...mine is 33. My b12 is right on the low boarder too....I think I need to up the d and also use the B12 drops in my fridge...:D Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 DS3's vitamin D level was 30, so low that the doctor referred him to a hematologist. The hematologist thought nothing of it, so he is taking supplements. What I think is strange is that he has always had 1-2 quarts of milk a day, which is supplemented with vitamin D. Milk is supplemented with D2. Our body absorbs D3 best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleWMN Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 33 is too low, IMO. Mine was 9 a few years ago and I was put on mega doses. Take D3 supplements. Aim for around 80-ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I do best when my vitamin D is at least 80. :iagree:When mine gets lower that that I start having sleep problems. I've actually been keeping mine over 100 and my doctor is perfectly fine with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 From the vitamin D council: Studies indicate that for proper health, serum vitamin D levels should be a minimum of 50 ng/mL (125 nmol/L), with optimal levels falling between 50-80 ng/mL (125-200 nmol/L). These values apply to both children and adults. This is also my doctor's take. I think people probably do feel better in the higher ranges. A person tends to need about 1000 IU per 25 pounds to maintain current levels. Some people raise levels easier with less while others need more of course. My husband and father in law seem to need less and I (and my mom and sister) need more. But generally I think people are surprised their levels are low because they take a bit of vitamin D which often isn't even a maintenance level or they rely on sun which doesn't work for everyone/perhaps most based upon this disturbing study. A healthy adult can take up to 10,000 IU per day of D3 (it needs to be D3). If you're low I would and did go for that top range. I'd do extra b12...you really don't need to worry about overdose with that one at all. I'd aim for levels mid normal and above myself but I've never seen an ideal range for that like I have for vitamin D levels. It may be out there/I don't have issues with b12 so haven't really researched it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Milk is supplemented with D2. Our body absorbs D3 best. So what's the point of supplementing it with D2? Obviously, it doesn't do a good job since DS3's levels were so low and he drinks milk like we own a dairy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 So what's the point of supplementing it with D2? Obviously, it doesn't do a good job since DS3's levels were so low and he drinks milk like we own a dairy. In my opinion, there is no point other than the claim that it is supplemented. Perhaps they started to supplement with d2 before they knew that it wasn't absorbed as well as d3? I don't know. Here's a google project for the New Year! (I expect to see it on your accountability list to me tomorrow;)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 So what's the point of supplementing it with D2? Obviously, it doesn't do a good job since DS3's levels were so low and he drinks milk like we own a dairy. The vitamin D council has information about D2 vs. D3 but I believe either will raise blood levels. It's just that D2 is not normally produced in the body and the body seems to use D3 preferentially (if it has both it will use the D3 first). D2 also has more issues with toxicity. So D3 is preferred and perhaps better used by the body. Still, D2 should raise levels if provided in enough quantity. So I would say more likely for your son it's a quantity issue. I just looked and my milk says 100 IU of vitamin D per 8 ounces. I posted that the average person needs 1000 IU per 25 pounds to maintain their current vitamin D levels (not increase, just stay even). So it would take a lot of milk to get adequate D for most. Further, I believe light degrades the vitamin D in milk. Sometimes milk is in opaque containers for that reason. Ours varies because I buy the cheapest--opaque or not. They do D2 (just like the prescription forms of supplements are D2) just because it was discovered/created first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choirfarm Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 How did you find out these levels? I don't remember ever seeing them listed on my blood tests? I will be going to get my cholesterol tested in a few weeks and may check this as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I think mine are low...even low they say " normal" on my last tests. They are borderline low....even though I supplement daily. What are the optimal levels? Anyone know...Negin perhaps? Thanks, Faithe Hey Faithe, both my kiddos have low D from Lyme, the lab sheet says optimal levels are <30ng/ml. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RegularMom Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Over the years I've had doctors tell me various different things regarding normal B12 levels. (I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia over 20 years ago, and receive monthly B12 injections, so I'm well versed in B12 counts... sigh...) The best average of that information I can offer is a range of anywhere between 400 and 1200. B12 levels below 300 can be considered suspect, but not dangerous. B12 levels below 100 are dangerous, and can possibly lead to nerve damage. A doctor visit is in order to find out if there are any digestive disorders. A low B12 count combined with a high MCV count (this is the size of your red blood cells) is a possible indicator of pernicious anemia and warrants further testing. HTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2abcd Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Those who have built up their Vitamin D and B12 levels, would you please link the supplements you had success with? My doctor says Vitamin D is no longer a prescription and I should buy it over-the-counter? I think it would be cheaper if he gave me a prescription. Both of the otc brands I took a couple of years ago appear to be discontinued. TIA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I buy vitamin D at the discount vitamin store in 5000 iu gelcaps. I just look for the cheapest deal at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Those who have built up their Vitamin D and B12 levels, would you please link the supplements you had success with? My doctor says Vitamin D is no longer a prescription and I should buy it over-the-counter? I think it would be cheaper if he gave me a prescription. Both of the otc brands I took a couple of years ago appear to be discontinued. TIA. Blue Bonnet - liquid Vitamin D3 drops Blue Bonnet - liquid Vitamin B12 drops I once heard liquid is faster and easier absorbed so I went this route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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