I was prescribed 50000 iu of vitamin D taken weekly for 16 weeks after my bloodwork revealed my levels were low (23). I have read that all prescribed vitamin D is D2. If D3 is better why is the prescrition form D2. Would I be better just taking more of the D3 supplements?
I am wary of taking man made as opposed to "natural" products. Am I worrying needlessly?
ejoyce
ejoyce,
My endocrinologist did not think there was much difference between D2 and D3. I would just follow your doctor's advice to get your D up to where it should be and then perhaps try to get out in the sun more (I'm talking when the weather gets warm!) and eat more foods containing D (which you should be able to find out about by doing a google).
Uma
Hi -- I'm prescribed Vitamin D 50,000 IU on alternating Mondays, but it's Vitamin D3. I asked my pharmacist if I could just buy supplements, and he said I'd have to buy bottles and bottles -- just wouldn't be possible. It would have been in his self interest to sell me the non-prescription stuff, since he owns the store, so I trust his answer. Also, I started by taking the pill every Monday for four weeks, then the prescription said to alternate Mondays. My Vitamin D3 very quickly went right to where it should be.
Somewhere I read that 50% of American women have levels of Vitamin D3 that are too low. I was also stunned to read that sunscreen, which I use daily (I'm a poster girl for both osteoporosis AND skin cancer), is enough to block Vitamin D absorption from sunshine.
Catch-22. Deja vu all over again.
I was prescribed the same weekly dose of Vit. D about a year ago; around 3 months later, my endocrinologist said to take it every two weeks. I think this is some sort of standard prescription for many of us with osteoporosid and low Vit. D levels. I live in the Pacific NW and don't get a lot of direct sun, and like many of you, wear a sun block. Some times we just can't win! Michele
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