What vitamin supplement does your doctor recommend?

[daylatedollarshort]

Interesting. I live where it's always sunny and my dermatologist always compliments me for staying OUT of the sun! You can't win but YMMV.

Dermatologists may not always have the best vitamin D advice. An Australian study of dermatologists showed 83% had sub-optimal levels of vitamin D (under 50) and 15% had levels under 21, the level associated with rickets and osteomalacia.

 

[tmm99]

Mine (Canadian) certainly did.

One of his concerns was patients taking supplements sold by friends or relatives who claimed the supplements were the answer to everything...cancer, back problems, sleep issues. The entire gamut. My spouses physician is the same....she wants to know if DW is taking that could impact what she might prescribe.

He also recommended dealing with a qualified pharmacist for supplements and vitamins....not your friends who may sell them at incredibly high prices accompanied by grossly exaggerated claims. And very seldom know the least thing about what they are selling other than what they are reading form the promo detail sheet.

Sometimes they were reluctant to admit to taking them. His view is that he wants to know any drug or supplement that a patient happens to be taking prior to recommending any
treatment.

In my case, in my 60's, he recommended vitamin D. That's it. Plus the basics to good health. Keep my weight in check, eat healthy foods-especially fruits, less meat, more fish, pass on fried or fatty foods, regular exercise and a good sleep. His advice has worked well for the past 10 years.

I have a SIL who is obese, eats all the greasy foods, cakes, and breads that is put are front of her. Her view that the only good vegetable is one served in a sea of cheese sauce. She also buys all the vitamins, weight loss cures, sleep aids, anti oxidents that are sold by her church friends. Her health remains the same yet she continues to spend money she cannot afford because the either does not want to say no sale to these folks or expects a miracle weight loss cure out of a bottle in thirty days or less. Go figure.

It sounds like your doc is more on the ball than mine. My doc has been in practice only for as long as I've lived in Canada (since 2015) (I've found out it's not easy to find a doc here... I think all newcomers are assigned newly graduated doctors, but I could be wrong.) He did say he could recommend a list of certified dietitians if I had any questions about nutrition. He has in fact referred me to other specialists when he wasn't sure what to do, but seeing any specialist (endo, dermatologist, gyno, etc) takes months even with his referrals. Seeing a specialist (with a referral or without) used to be a within-a-week affair when I lived in California. Not sure if this slowness is an Ontario thing or a whole Canada thing. The delay isn't because of the pandemic. It was like this pre-pandemic as well.

Anyway, I take Vit D as the doc suggested (with K2 and A (my idea)) plus other supplements. Some of the supplements are becoming more like designer drugs/supplements with certain components extracted and making them more bio-available, etc. Case in point - I take Quercetin EMIQ for my allergies. Regular quercetin doesn't seem to work for allergies at all, but EMIQ is a highly bio-available of quercetin and it works as well as an OTC drug for allergies IMHO. Same thing with Curcumin Curqfen. Curcumin in its original form doesn't do much for me, but curqfen works wonders for muscle pains.

 

[gayl]

10,000u vitamin D. But I take 1000 and he says its perfect (yeah, I don't say what I really do ... I let him think I'm doing as he says)

 

[F.I.R.E User]

Doctor did not recommend but I take Orange Triad + Greens.

 

[Vinnyfrombrooklyn]

Vitamin D3 10,000 iu and magenseum for leg cramps at night. Works wonders

 

[KarenF]

I golf 4 to 5 days a week all year round. I asked my doctor to test for my Vit D in January and it came back as 19. I was shocked. I started taking 1000 IU in addition to my existing Calcium pills and it went up to 30 in May when I had another test. My PCP wants me to take 4000 IU to get to 40. I am adding 1000 IU on non-golf days. I will wait for my next set of tests.

Optimal Vitamin D is 70-100, so you may want to get your levels up a bit more.

 

[KarenF]

Thanks. I will try that. I was taking a D2 supplement in winter and it had no effect. I switched to cod liver gels but my D was still low. I'm on UV treated mushroom pills now for vitamin D and can feel a change but haven't been retested yet.

I use Pure Encapsulations liquid D3 - my doctor told me to take it, and it got my Vitamin D levels up.

 

[meleana]

The only time a doctor recommended a vitamin for me was D because he tested for my levels.

I take that plus a multi vitamin for women over 55.

I also take one fiber pill at night with a large glass of water.

 

[JJpop]

We've had this discussion before. Great to hear people have docs who do not suggest supplements. Also have never had a doc suggest supplements. Evidence suggests waste of money at best. Many studies say harm. In very specific, and relatively rare, deficiency conditions then vitamins become treatment. Eat a decent diet, exercise, get some sun.

Really?
In reality, most doctors are not very knowledgeable about nutrition.
If vitamins are a waste of money, why did my vitamin D level go up from 19 to 73 when I started taking it?
There is a lot of garbage out there and a lot of snake oil.
There are also high quality supplements that are helpful.
I take D, a very high quality fish oil and a curcumin supplement with superior absorption.
There is a lot of good research if you look for it.
It is always best to get all the nutrients you need from eating a great diet, but it is not always possible.

 

[meleana]

I will say I worked for a Nero radiologist and he always laughed about vitamins. He said we just pissed them out.

I used to take a ton of vitamins. I’m not exaggerating- like 20 different ones! It took me many years to come to my senses and got back to just the multi (and the vitamin D my doc told me to take.).

Plus I used to take Culturelle (as recommended by a PA) and now I just have some yogurt each day.

Saves a lot of money, also.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

There is a lot of good research if you look for it.
It is always best to get all the nutrients you need from eating a great diet, but it is not always possible.

We started researching a condition for DH on Pubmed. The regular doc and specialist never mentioned diet, supplements, physical therapy, nutrition tests, guts tests or really anything much but pills and an expensive hospital test. The pills mask symptoms and do nothing to get at the root cause.

On Pubmed there are literally thousands of studies for his condition and hundreds on effective diet and supplements alone plus physical therapy, acupuncture and and a lot of stuff that might help and won't hurt. I have a list of around 300 factors to avoid or try based Pubmed papers. The specialist mentioned exactly 1 of these.

Many of the diet Youtube videos from nutritionists and doctors on what to eat for his condition directly contradict what works and what doesn't from the Pubmed research. They all seem to push a one size fits all healthy diet without looking at the actual research for individual conditions. It is really a shame. There is this huge wealth of knowledge just sitting out there on Pubmed that just isn't being utilized enough.

 

[Koolau]

Dermatologists may not always have the best vitamin D advice. An Australian study of dermatologists showed 83% had sub-optimal levels of vitamin D (under 50) and 15% had levels under 21, the level associated with rickets and osteomalacia.

Honestly, my dermatologist has been looking a bit run-down of late. I thought it was that she's had 3 kids in the past 7 years. Maybe it's the lack of sun! She is white as a ghost. I wonder if I should tell her to take some Vitamin D? I know she won't go out in the sun!

 

[Tracer]

Unlike most doctors, my doc is heavily into nutrition and anti-aging. He recommended fish oil and 5000 IU of vitamin D3. I also take a 50+ Men's multivitamin supplement as well as Resveratrol which is loaded with antioxidants and anti-aging benefits. I've been taking it for 20 years. I have no idea of it's effectiveness but no one can believe I'm 72 when I tell them that so I just keep taking it.

 

[JJpop]

Unlike most doctors, my doc is heavily into nutrition and anti-aging. He recommended fish oil and 5000 IU of vitamin D3. I also take a 50+ Men's multivitamin supplement as well as Resveratrol which is loaded with antioxidants and anti-aging benefits. I've been taking it for 20 years. I have no idea of it's effectiveness but no one can believe I'm 72 when I tell them that so I just keep taking it.

I have been taking 4000 IU of D3 and fish oil along with curcumin and a broccoli seed supplement called Avmacol which has had serious clinical studies done on it.
I was going to add Resveratrol but never did. I am going to research it again.
As I stated earlier my vitamin D3 levels went from 19 to 73.

 

[68bucks]

So my eye doctor is big on eye supplements, especially the ones he sells. He told me any multi-vitamin you take only once a day isn't worth taking. So I ask my PCP at my last physical what is the best multi-vitamin. He said that Americans have the most expensive urine in the world, if you eat a reasonably balanced diet the aren't necessary. None the less since i'm a lot smarter than him I take a krill oil, a Co q-10, vitamin b and c daily.

 

[Koolau]

So my eye doctor is big on eye supplements, especially the ones he sells. He told me any multi-vitamin you take only once a day isn't worth taking. So I ask my PCP at my last physical what is the best multi-vitamin. He said that Americans have the most expensive urine in the world, if you eat a reasonably balanced diet the aren't necessary. None the less since i'm a lot smarter than him I take a krill oil, a Co q-10, vitamin b and c daily.

The good news is MOST supplements, vitamins, etc. are "thrown away" by the body if we get too much. If you need them, your body accepts them. If you don't need them, they leave as expensive urine. I don't see a problem. BUT there are a few (especially fat soluble compounds) that can be toxic if you get too much. Why are doctors not helping us know the best way to insure we get the right nutrition instead of just poo-pooing our efforts to look after ourselves? YMMV

 

[MrsHaloFIRE]

I take a multi, magnesium glycinate, fish oil with DHA and 1000iu D3. On days he behaves halo fire takes COQ10, fish oil, and 1000 Iu d3. I'm adding c soon because im having surgery and its part of the hospital's recovery protocol. Also they have you drink a gatorade/equiv night before and morning of surgery for same protocol. Hafta get up at 4 am to drink it for any early surgical slot.

 

[razztazz]

So my eye doctor is big on eye supplements, especially the ones he sells. He told me any multi-vitamin you take only once a day isn't worth taking. So I ask my PCP at my last physical what is the best multi-vitamin. He said that Americans have the most expensive urine in the world, if you eat a reasonably balanced diet the aren't necessary. None the less since i'm a lot smarter than him I take a krill oil, a Co q-10, vitamin b and c daily.

Funny you should mention this. Not to argue, you can consider this a "Point / Counter-Point." Monday I had a semi-annual appointment with my cardio doc. I specifically asked him if taking CoQ10 would be of any benefit. I am on a statin. Also, I cannot take the amount of Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors they'd like me to take because of extremely low BP which sort of over-strains my heart. (26% ejection fraction) He said no, there's no good evidence CoQ10 is of any value for "heart health." I didn't break out the question vis a vis statin effects because I am on a low dose and have no side effects so I wouldn't be taking it for that. He's a young guy so I was a little surprised he wasn't on board with COQ10

I've always been skeptical of supplements. They've never seemed to make me feel any better or stronger or give my hair a lustrous shine. I am down to taking a few i.u.'s of Vit D but only in the Winter, and I am not concerned with talking any prescribed "mega dosing." Just want something more than nothing.

 

[brett]

Mine told me my health is fine. Same story with vitamins...not needed and they will simply come out the other end in my urine.

And....if I ever do he tells me to save my money. Buy generic at Costo, Walmart, etc. Speak to the pharmacist. Don't get suckered into buying name brand products and pay for the advertising and marketing.

Even worse, don't buy the MLM private products from a friend or relative. They play fast and loose with the sales speil because of unchecked word of mouth.

 

[Act2]

I have one doctor who seems indifferent to vitamins and supplements. But I have another doctor who sells vitamins out of her office. Over the years the docs have been all over the place, and of course you can go nuts trying to keep up with the latest on do or don’t on supplements.

I take the equivalent of Centrum multivitamins for seniors, calcium, magnesium, and D3. Also lysine (which keeps the cold sores at bay). And I take fiber capsules and krill oil (omegas) to help with cholesterol levels, since I cannot tolerate statins and sometimes have cholesterol and/or triglyceride issues (but not currently). But I buy them all at retail, not the special pricey ones from the good doctor.

 

[tmm99]

I'm thinking of putting myself back on omega 3 (although less frequently than one 1000mg per day that I took in the past, as I started getting bruises when I played volleyball) after reading this article. (Prescribed blood thinners can reduce Covid-19 deaths by half.)

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coron...9-deaths-by-nearly-half-study-finds-1.5609242

Obviously, omega 3 is not considered a drug, but it does thin my blood to some degree...

I wouldn't take omega 3 if I were already on some blood thinner.

 

[RAE]

Really?
In reality, most doctors are not very knowledgeable about nutrition.
If vitamins are a waste of money, why did my vitamin D level go up from 19 to 73 when I started taking it?
There is a lot of garbage out there and a lot of snake oil.
There are also high quality supplements that are helpful.
I take D, a very high quality fish oil and a curcumin supplement with superior absorption.
There is a lot of good research if you look for it.
It is always best to get all the nutrients you need from eating a great diet, but it is not always possible.

+1, I agree. My wife's blood level of Vit. D was 19 before she started taking D3 supplements (and she had a broken bone in her leg that was not healing). After taking D3/K2 for a while, she was able to get it up to around 60, and the bone healed fine. I had a similar experience. I also take a high-absorption curcumin supplement, as most of the cheaper turmeric/curcumin supplements on the market are not very absorbable. I also take cod liver oil, in addition to eating salmon and/or sardines weekly. I take a few other supplements as well, but before I take something, I do extensive research on it. As some others have said, most doctors are not knowledgeable on supplements, as they get very little or no training in nutrition in med. school.

 

[brett]

We were both put on vitamin D. That was the extent of the recommendation.

 

[ABQ2015]

My PCP recommended Vit D years ago after I tested low. Three PCPs later, they no longer test me for Vit D but I still take it since I do not go out in the sun that much and I use sunscreen (family history of melanoma). I asked one of the PCPs what supplements were best and he suggested fish oil if I insisted on taking supplements. My previous ophthalmologist had me on AREDS for myopic macular degeneration but he retired. My new doctor considers it unnecessary as supplements were not researched for that type of macular degeneration.

So currently I take Vit D, fish oil, and although not specifically recommended, a senior multivitamin and calcium supplements.

 

[5Miler]

About 10 years ago at age 67, my blood work showed I was slightly deficient in Vitamin D. So now I take that daily.

Pretty much that same for me. Veteran's Admin doctor said my bloodwork showed I needed some Vit D early last year so he set me up a prescription for it. No charge through the VA and he renews it at my annual checkup.