Vitamin D

Hey Friends,

My pre-op visit in May (I was originally scheduled for surgery in the beginning of June but had to reschedule 6 weeks later due to strep throat) had my D level at 25.3 out of the recommended 30-80 range.  My doc sent me a note saying "Your vitamin D level is borderline. I would recommend starting on an over the counter vitamin d supplement at the dose of 1000 IU once daily."

I sort of forgot about this until I was doing vitamin research after my surgery and remembered she told me to start taking vitamin D.  I ordered some Vitamin D-50,000 from Vitalady.com but after receiving it I realize that this is a huge dose compared to the 1000 recommended by my doc.  But I have also heard it's a good way to get up your levels.  

I know ya'll aren't doctors, but does anyone have any thoughts on how often I should be taking it.  I have taken it every day for the last week but after reading some other posts it looks like that might be too much?  I'm not getting my labs checked for another 2 months so don't want to overdo it and do any damage. 

Any thoughts?

Well, I disagree with your doc about your D being borderline, because I disagree with the "normal" range used by most labs.  Research  shows that you need your D level at least 80, otherwise you're at risk for all kinds of unpleasant stuff like osteoporosis, heart disease, etc.

Taking 1000 IU would do nothing for you.  The Vitamin D Council recommends 1000-2000 IU for people with good levels.

You ordered the right stuff.  When my D was 25, I took 50,000 IU daily for a couple months.  Last time I had labs done, my D was 142.  Now I only take it three to four times a week.

Your D can safely be well above 80.  That should be the lowest you let it get.

Taking it daily for a week won't hurt you, it probably gave you a nice boost but I wouldn't continue at that rate.  I would take it 2 times per week for the next 2 months and where you are then.  I started at 36 (preop 16 and 2 years on prescription to get up to 36) then post op, I switched to Dry D3 from vitalady.com - same dose 50,000 units 2 times per week and within  2 months, I was up at 97.  then my level dropped a bit, so I increased to 3 times per week and was stable around 100 for 2 years.

A few months ago, after taking it 3 times per week for the past 2 years all of sudden things went crazy. I got my labs back and they couldn't even measure my level - it was off the charts  - greater than 150.  I have since cut my dosage back to lower my levels.

I did the 50,000 daily for months to get my levels up.  Now I do it 3x a week and it seems to be holding fine.

I always think it's better to start slowly with any new meds or supplements. I would try it 1-3x/week max and make sure you have a plan to get your labs checked in the next couple of months. While the weather is good try to get some sun, too. You normally only need about 20 minutes of exposure (to your trunk) to get a full dose or up to 50,000 u if you turn slightly pink to the touch in that time. :)

Low D levels are common among any population.  I would HIGHLY recommend you get a printed copy of any lab reports for reference from now on. 1000 IU prior to surgery may help you. BUT, post op you need higher levels. YOU also need dry D3 only, not the easy to find normal vitamin D, which is D2.  I take the same dry D3 you ordered, the 50K IU.  I've been trying to get my labs up to the target levels of 80-90 ever since I had surgery 5 years ago.  I was taking 4 of the 50K IU per week for over 2 years. Labs then showed a 65, far better than my post op levels of 8 on my initial post op labs.  I now take a 50K IU dry D3 daily. Hopefully I'll be above 80 on my next labs in a couple of months.  Every post op may require different amounts of D3 to get to target levels.  i'd suggest you start with 4 per week, not all on the same day either.  You CAN'T FORGET supplements post op, or you'll have major health issues after a few months.  80-90 levels of D will reduce your chances of several cancers by 50%--cervical, colon cancer, breast cancer, MS, or other neurological disorders. The higher levels of D also allows your calcium citrate to be absorbed by your bones and teeth far better than with low levels of D. DAVE

I was taking 20,00 every day to get my levels up.. I'm around 90 now!   I take Dry D3  ultras (5,000 per pill) they are tiny or chewables and I get them at the vitamin shop...  I now take 2 a day to keep my levels high....