How much vitamin D do I need to take?

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badatmath

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My test results just came in email and I was a bit low (24) but somehow no message from doctor indicating how much to add to correct it. So I used the portal (which I am growing to hate) to clarify and will likely hear an official answer next week but meanwhile, I'm not very patient.

I took it for years per prior doctor instructions but us senile old folks can't remember how much. . .
 
Not sure of the answer, but I get my share from the outdoors in Florida.
 
What was the number? Different labs have different ranges, but if it was just slightly low, say 20 or 30 ng/mL then take 2000units every day and re-test in a year. Note, there IS a thing called "too much", but unless you go way past 100ng/mL, you'll be fine. It's highly unlikely that 2000 units will get you anywhere near that.
 
My supposition is that your doc is not worried or maybe s/he hasn't seen the test results since s/he did not make a recommendation.

My wife takes a tiny gel capsule of vitamin D3 (3000 units) every morning.
 
It is 24. Min lab value is 30.
I took it for years and years and just quit when I ran out one time. . .
The whole "talk via a portal" is frustrating as a patient after the results come cause if anything is the slightest bit off I want to clarify and I'm pretty sure the staff takes point on them and does not even get to the doctor at times. For a vitamin it isn't critical but for some things . . . not so sure. . .

Google said anything from 600 to 5000 lol. . . which I mean I guess that works.
 
Vitamin D test kits are available on Amazon, and cheaper & more convenient than getting a lab ordered by your Doc. Insurance may/might not apply.

I take 7000 i.u per day and have for a decade. I test once or twice a year and I'm consistently 45-55ng/ml. You'll see all kinds of opinions online of the appropriate target level. Response to supplements is individual, so doses aren't one size fits all. If I was 24ng/ml, I'd start in with the commonly available 5000i.u caps, one per day, and retest in 6 months.

Don't forget to include Vit K2. There are commonly available caps that have the two mixed.
 
I find the whole medical experience very frustrating anymore. CVS told me I'd never taken a medicine I've been on more than 40 years . . . which I get from them every 90 days. . . I mean I could go on and on . . . I can't imagine if i was really sickly how bad it can get.
 
Holy crap they sell it in 50,000 mcg pills too (once a week). . . I'll just get whatever Costco has tomorrow. . .
 
Maybe I will ask the cardiologist about that one. I have an appointment coming up I think.

I'd say the risk of not taking k2 is kind of overblown cause I took d for at least 15 years without it and my arteries are good (as per them being in there with a camera). . . might be luck though.

It would be rather nice if they tested for more vitamins than D and B12 but maybe they do in some folks?
 
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badatmath said:
Maybe I will ask the cardiologist about that one. I have an appointment coming up I think.

I'd say the risk of not taking k2 is kind of overblown cause I took d for at least 15 years without it and my arteries are good (as per them being in there with a camera). . . might be luck though.

It would be rather nice if they tested for more vitamins than D and B12 but maybe they do in some folks?
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Maybe it depends on how much Vitamin D3 you have been taking. We both tested low on Vit D in the blood test, mine was 19 even though I was golfing out in the sun 4 to 5 days a week but I am always covered up and sunscreened up on my face. I have been on 4000 IU since then plus a Vitamin K2.
 
I take 2 X 2000 IU and always test okay but YMMV.
 
Old people make less vitamin D from sunlight. Probably a revenge of the Sun for us old folks not sunbathing with just coconut oil slathered on. ;)

The costco kirkland brand is great, I take 1 or 2 every day. Plus I take a vitamin pill that has some in it.
 
RetiredHappy said:
Maybe it depends on how much Vitamin D3 you have been taking. We both tested low on Vit D in the blood test, mine was 19 even though I was golfing out in the sun 4 to 5 days a week but I am always covered up and sunscreened up on my face. I have been on 4000 IU since then plus a Vitamin K2.
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Could be. And could be simply that years ago they didn't know about K2 and didn't tell me to take it. I'll see if Costco has any while I'm there.

I feel a little frustrated with the comments on one of the other test results too. I'm sure it makes sense to the doctor but it doesn't make sense to me and google makes it sound rather bad. Yet if it was bad the doctor would have further instructions I would hope. . .
 
I've been taking 4000 IU and I'm in the lower part of the range. My doc just said to go 8000 IU now.
 
badatmath said:
Holy crap they sell it in 50,000 mcg pills too (once a week). . . I'll just get whatever Costco has tomorrow. . .
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Yes, my son's physician had him take that dose (once a week) for a few months due to his blood test results.
 
2000 iu per day (2X1000). Sometimes 3000 per day if we are home for part of the winter. Ditto for my spouse. Kirkland brand.

Same level for the past 15 years. Just reviewed with my physician a few months ago.

It is the only med or supplement that she recommended.
 
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Even though the lab standard is generally 30 or higher, my doctor wants it over 50 if possible.
But of course you don't want to overdo it (or anything else).
Certainly worthwhile to have it tested occasionally.
 
I assume people are referring to the common 25D test. If that result is low, 1,25D should be tested next to confirm because, unlike 25D, it is the biologically active form of vitamin D. 25D can be low while 1,25D is OK or high, in which case supplementing could be deleterious.
 
GrayHare said:
I assume people are referring to the common 25D test. If that result is low, 1,25D should be tested next to confirm because, unlike 25D, it is the biologically active form of vitamin D. 25D can be low while 1,25D is OK or high, in which case supplementing could be deleterious.
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My portal just says Vit D, 25-Hydroxy.

Requestatest doesn't seem to think it is routine test. . .

Vitamin D, 1, 25-dihydroxy Blood Test (Labcorp)​


This test is used to measure Vitamin D levels in the blood. The Vitamin D 25-Dihydroxy test measures the active form of Vitamin D which is produced in the liver and kidneys through the conversion of Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy. This test is not typically used as a routine measurement to assess if a person has a vitamin D deficiency because it may show normal results even if a person has an overall deficiency. It is more useful when a person is suspected of having a condition that is producing an excess of vitamin D such as Sarcoidosis or certain types of Lymphoma. This test may also be ordered to aid in the diagnosis of Parathyroid disorder or kidney failure.


For a test that is more commonly used to detect if a person may be suffering from a Vitamin D Deficiency, customers may order the Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy Test.


Turnaround time for the Vitamin D, 1, 25-dihydroxy is typically 4-7 business days.
 
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brett said:
2000 iu per day (2X1000). Sometimes 3000 per day if we are home for part of the winter. Ditto for my spouse. Kirkland brand.

Same level for the past 15 years. Just reviewed with my physician a few months ago.

It is the only med or supplement that she recommended.
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I picked up a bottle this morning. Costco must not sell K2 or I didn't see it if they did.
 
badatmath said:
I picked up a bottle this morning. Costco must not sell K2 or I didn't see it if they did.
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Costco sells a 5000 IU Vitamin D3 combined with K2. I don't trust taking 5000 IU and stick to 4000 IU and hence I take Nature Made K2 separately.
 
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