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I got my blood test back and my Vitamin D is 28.3 it should be between 32.0 and 100.0 my Doctor said to take a supplement but didn't tell me how much. I was taking 1000 IU a day already. Has anyone else had these results and how much did you have to increase your intake to get to a good level?
Exercise Arthritis Constipation Pain Osteoporosis Depression Cortisol Stress
Hi Marie,
You might want to get a Dr who knows a lot about osteoporosis beyond giving out drugs or ignoring your condition all together. I had a vit D level of 21 and although I'm at 37 now after treatment with vit D3, my doc wants me up between an ideal of 50 and 80. To get me to where I am now she put me on a prescription of 50,000 a week (one pill once a week) for 8 weeks. Now I'm taking 5,000 IU of D3 a day (which she also told me to do). You've got to get your D level up as you're drastically low. I was concerned that 50,000 might hurt me but I hear it's very common for this dosage to get one up to where they need to be (but I wouldn't do this on your own - get help from a dr who does osteoporosis as a main stay of their patients). I have a lady Dr who treats a lot of ladies with osteoporosis and a cohort dr with her (another lady) does classes on it. I had to hunt to find them. Keep asking questions here as there's a lot of people who know mainstream info on the basics like vit D supplementation and other related subjects to osteoporosis. Get into the past discussions and read back on them as there's tons of info in this site. Good luck with getting on with getting your vit D3 needs met by finding a good Dr. The Drs I've talked to either know or they don't and it's pretty obvious by whether they can give immediate answers or not whether they have experience. The ones that just push drugs, consider another opinion from a Dr that knows a lot about the natural conditions your body needs to keep your bones from losing more calcium and how to maximise absorption, along with weight bearing exercise direction. Good Drs are out there I just had to do a lot of calling and asking. Their receptionist were either good marketers of their abilities or I moved on to calling the next as the people they hire are reflective of the Dr themself. Like I said, I have two great lady Drs working together to help me and I keep asking them questions that keep them researching beyond what they presently know (because they want to expand their knowledge, not just take my money). They keep asking the endroconologist that works with them, questions as well so it's a lively group working on this serious condition. They tested my blood levels for calcium and magnesium and other minerals, and tested my PTH level as it's an indicator of possible parathyroid tumor that needs to be ruled out. Interestingly I had a bad read on my PTH, but, when my D was increased the PTH came within normal range.
I agree with LindaSS. I would say you need some serious supplementation. THE VITAMIN D CURE has a chart based on your weight, telling you how many IUs of D needed to raise your level to the desired level. Blood would need to be tested every 3 or 4 months and adjustments made to the supplementation. The chart is in 5 point intervals. In your case, to raise your D level from 25 to 50, you should take 19 IUs per pound of body weight per day. From 30 to 50 would take 15 IUs per pound of body weight. Assume you weigh 100 pounds. You would need 19,000 IUs per day. In the second case, you would need 15,000 IUs per day. Now you could buy 5000 IUs of D3 at Walgreen's or you could get your doctor to prescribe D2 in 50,000 IU pills until your requirements are less. You can buy D3 in units of 400,1000,2000, and 5000. Does that help?
Hi osteomarie:
Low vitamin D is more than just about taking vitamin D supplements. You really need a plan which includes foods, time in the sun and supplements. You also want to know why you are so D deficient and take measures to reduce your body's consumption of vitamin D.
Two good vitamin D resources are:
1. Dr. Cannell’s site and recommendations for vitamin D that are top notch www.vitamindcouncil.org
2. Dr. Holick's great website and book called The UV Advantage. Worth a look http://www.uvadvantage.org
Also the other aspects of your lifestyle contribute to D deficiency as well. You might want to consider the 5 important lifestyle changes I recommend for my clients and support group members who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis/osteopenia.
These are:
1. A daily stress reduction program. This helps lower inflammation caused by high cortisol and homocysteine levels reducing calcium loss. Also normalizes bone building cells (osteoblast) function.
2. A diet that contains 50% fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies contain greater amounts of water and minerals with generally lesser amounts of
animal protein.
3. Adequate water intake for maximum hydration. Water is very important in helping the kidneys regulate pH and detoxify the body.
4. Year round vitamin D3 levels in the 50-80 ng/mL (or 125-200 nM/L).
This should be confirmed by 25-hydroxyvitamin D testing.
5. Sufficient weight bearing exercise to stimulate balance and muscle growth which is essential for bone strengthening determined
If you have further questions or if you want to join our osteoporosis support group please feel free to email me at bebonestrong@sequoiahealth.com.
Woody McMahon
I'm taking 2000 u because i heard it might help with arthritis. i read that prunes are proving very good for bones
Salmon is an excellent source of Vitamin D which stimulates the absorption of calcium, increasing bone mineral density. Vitamin D is also anti-inflammatory because it helps regulate immune system activity preventing an excessive or prolonged inflammatory response. Another benefit of Salmon is the Omega 3 fatty acids. New research shows evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can significantly decrease bone turnover rates. In women, these beneficial omega-3 fats work with estrogen to stimulate bone mineral deposits and slow the rate of bone breakdown. Omega 3 rich foods can also improve conditions such as fatigue, dry and/or itchy skin, brittle hair and nails, constipation, depression, poor concentration, and/or joint pain.
Another mineral needed to support Vitamin D is Boron. Raisins are an excellent source for Boron. This mineral helps the body convert estrogen and vitamin D into their most active form to help maintain healthy bones.
It's important to note that Vitamin D is very hard to get in our foods. Even people living in warmer clients and access to year round sunlight, are also deficient due to working indoors and slathering on sunscreen. Supplementation of Vitamin D is essential.
Sooo much reading and all is so confusing ! I'm 48 with a - 4.5 @ L-1 and - 2.6 @ femoral neck. I don't want osteo drugs. My Vit D level was 43. I started taking citracal 400mg, with D 500IU 2 times a day. additional 1,000 IU of D, 130mg magnesium. I have read so much on here about other supplements like K2, Boron, strontium, and curcumin...there are so many things to try but I am afraid to take the wrong things or too much of something. I have been having pain in my spine and neck and have an appt. to see an orthopedic Dr. Hopefully he will send me to a PT to learn the excersizes I can do. Any help with supplements and dosing would be greatly appreciated.
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