Vitamin D Deficiency

[MrsWeasley]

My labs have me slightly deficient in Vitamin D despite taking a multivitamin and an additional vitamin D supplement. Ideas to raise my vitamin d levels during the winter?

[KatieJ]

VitD3 in a capsule form, not tablet works for me.

[AK_Mom4]

Yup - gel tabs or capsule.  

 

Sunlight - being out of doors is the best, but we live far north and sunlight isn't really an option during the dark parts of the year.  I was taking 5000iu a day until I finally got  my numbers up to the normal range.  Now I take 5000iu every other day.   We all take the Kirkland brand from Costco here. 

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

What level are you at? This might make a difference in what might work best.

 

Agreeing with taking a D3 supplement. D3 form is utilized better.

I used to have 50,000 iu D3 liquid-gels by prescription. 

Now I maintain with something a friend gave me that she didn't need. It's a liquid form of D3.

[TravelingChris]

I take 50,000 iu once a week with a prescription.  My insurance paid for that versus taking lots of pills every day of lower quantities.  It is a small gel capsule.  I am on it forever as is my daughter with vit. d deficiency.  We both have tested positive for it if we don't take it.

[KarenNC]

i've gotten a better response taking 5000 units a day OTC D3 in capsules than I did with 100,000 units a week prescription D2 (50,000 twice a week). Finally got me up to low 30s rather than low 20s.

[prairiewindmomma]

OTC D3 capsules are what helps me. 

[MIch elle]

From:  http://www.grassrootshealth.net/iom-wrong-on-d

 

Based on GrassrootsHealth data--YOUR data, it will take approximately 7,000 IU/day for 97.5% of the population to achieve 20 ng/ml.  An analysis from Dr. Paul Veuglers of the University of Alberta on the data used by the IOM concluded that it would take approximately 8,895 IU/day to achieve the 97.5% level.

A key feature of the GrassrootsHealth data set is that we actually have data from participants that are taking 7,000 IU/day or more.  Our calculations are based on actual things people are doing.  The IOM's panel reviewed data sets where the highest level reported was 2,400 IU/day. Dr. Veuglers used statistical analysis and extrapolation to get to the 8,895 IU/day value.

 

GrassrootsHealth Research Paper 
This paper shows that a supplemental dose of 9,600 IU/day will ensure that 97.5% of the population will achieve a serum 25(OH)D of at least 40 ng/ml.

 

 

http://www.grassrootshealth.net/

 

[momacacia]

You can also use a sublingual.

[MrsWeasley]

What level are you at? This might make a difference in what might work best.

 

Agreeing with taking a D3 supplement. D3 form is utilized better.

I used to have 50,000 iu D3 liquid-gels by prescription. 

Now I maintain with something a friend gave me that she didn't need. It's a liquid form of D3.

17. I was told that they like to see it at least at 20. I don't know the units. I am using soft gel tablets of D3.

[Laurie4b]

Hmmm. I was only able to get my VIt D from 21 to 27 without supplements. (I was sunbathing about 20 min per day no sunscreen and eating high D foods.)  I started out taking  2000 mg and it increased to a 37. I've recently started taking 4000 mg with dr's approval to try to get it to 50. I am taking Nature Made because it's tested by an outside lab. What brand of gels/capsules do you take? 

[ktgrok]

Suddenly glad to be in Florida with fair skin. Last I checked I was in the 50s. Maybe it's time for a vacation somewhere sunny?

Edited February 24, 2016 by ktgrok

[ThisIsTheDay]

Can someone address my questions on this? 

 

I believe this is far more of an *absorption* issue than a general deficiency.  How do you increase your absorption of Vitamin D rather than just upping already high exposure?

 

 

[ktgrok]

If it's an intestinal issue I would address that, or increase sun exposure to remove the intestines from the equation. 

[MrsWeasley]

I'm talking solgar. Living where I do, I don't know how I would get more sun. Before I got sick, We shoot for about two hours outside a day, but it's cold. That's two hours a day outside with pretty much just my face exposed. Because it's winter. I don't know how to get more sun exposure without freezing. 

 

The absorption issue isn't something I've really thought about. I've been making sure to try to eat it with some fat, but other than that, anything else I should know about absorption?

[Laurie4b]

With regard to absorption, I've read that fat cells suck up Vit D and hog it, taking it out of circulation, and thus it does your body no good. I have not read whether if you lose weight, your Vit D absorption will improve.