Low Vit D results after supping alll summer! How could this be?

Koalamom · Nov 21, 2010

I have been getting lots of sun exposure, and I don't wash with soap to help keep the Vut D on. I was also taking 4000 IU of Vit D3 everyday just about all summer. The other day I got tested and I am a 31! How could this be? My dr was complaining that I was taking too much, but after the results, she wants me to take way more.
 
Perhaps my Vit A intake is inadequate or too much?
 
On a side note, how did tradition/primitive peoples long ago get along without Vit D supplments on their shelves? I am worried that down the road there will be some harm to all this D I am taking.

Panserbjorne · Nov 21, 2010

what was your level before? How do you know it hasn't come up significantly? I mean, if you were a 17 before then you're doing great. If you were a 30 before then it tells you about how your body is utilizing vitamin D. Two very different situations.

HRJ · Nov 21, 2010

I agree. Mine is about 38 now (on 4,000 units of D), but it was 11 before. 
 
Also it looks like you live in Vermont. According to my doctor, you are going to get a lot less vitamin D from the sun in Vermont than you would in Florida (where all it would take is 20 min) b/c you are farther from the equator. A lot of other factors like time of day and angle of the sun play in. There are actually multiple schlerosis 'belts' in the US. Vit D deficiency is linked to MS, so there is a correlation to WHERE you live in the US.

Koalamom · Nov 21, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Panserbjorne <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16063006"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> what was your level before? How do you know it hasn't come up significantly? I mean, if you were a 17 before then you're doing great. If you were a 30 before then it tells you about how your body is utilizing vitamin D. Two very different situations.
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 I never actually had my previous levels tested, but that is a very good point. I am going to get it tested again after taking more. My Dr wants me to take 50,000 iu 2x week for 8 weeks and retest. I do not want to use the prescrption as I hear it is D2. But I am not sure if I should take the same amount of D3 that I have at home? And I am worried that my Vit A levels will get depleted. Or I could continue on 4000iu a day and get it up slowly- this amount could taje it months to get up even a little. Not sure what is better.
 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by HRJ <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16063028"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I agree. Mine is about 38 now (on 4,000 units of D), but it was 11 before. 
 
Also it looks like you live in Vermont. According to my doctor, you are going to get a lot less vitamin D from the sun in Vermont than you would in Florida (where all it would take is 20 min) b/c you are farther from the equator. A lot of other factors like time of day and angle of the sun play in. There are actually multiple schlerosis 'belts' in the US. Vit D deficiency is linked to MS, so there is a correlation to WHERE you live in the US. 
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Yup in VT. Many days are cloudy and I bet that doesn't help either. How long did it take for you to ge yours to be a 38 from an 11?

sbgrace · Nov 21, 2010

I'm convinced based on studies (in Hawaii, from those getting I think over 20 hours a week of direct sun) and my own experience that many people don't make adequate D from the sun.
 
At any rate, the general rule of thumb is 1000 IU per 25 pounds to maintain levels. I would up your intake of D3. I took 10,000 IU of D3 per day (that is more than your doctor is recommending per week). That level has been shown safe for adults of normal health indefinitely. I corrected a very low level quickly with that level of supplementation.

KimPM · Nov 21, 2010

Are you taking pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) along with the vitamin D? It's a cofactor for vitamin D.
 
Also, your body may be using the vitamin D up almost as fast as you are putting it in.

HRJ · Nov 21, 2010

I am having a hard time remembering. I want to say that the dr had me on 5,000 units a day for the first few months and then had me on 2,000 units a day after that. Then I am not sure when we retested. I got my level of 11 a few years ago, and then I moved. Now my dr has limited my intake to 4000/day b/c I am pregnant, and my levels are about 42. I want to say it took a few months to get my levels up. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1 <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16063385"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Panserbjorne <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16063006"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> what was your level before? How do you know it hasn't come up significantly? I mean, if you were a 17 before then you're doing great. If you were a 30 before then it tells you about how your body is utilizing vitamin D. Two very different situations.
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 I never actually had my previous levels tested, but that is a very good point. I am going to get it tested again after taking more. My Dr wants me to take 50,000 iu 2x week for 8 weeks and retest. I do not want to use the prescrption as I hear it is D2. But I am not sure if I should take the same amount of D3 that I have at home? And I am worried that my Vit A levels will get depleted. Or I could continue on 4000iu a day and get it up slowly- this amount could taje it months to get up even a little. Not sure what is better.
 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by HRJ <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16063028"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> I agree. Mine is about 38 now (on 4,000 units of D), but it was 11 before. 
 
Also it looks like you live in Vermont. According to my doctor, you are going to get a lot less vitamin D from the sun in Vermont than you would in Florida (where all it would take is 20 min) b/c you are farther from the equator. A lot of other factors like time of day and angle of the sun play in. There are actually multiple schlerosis 'belts' in the US. Vit D deficiency is linked to MS, so there is a correlation to WHERE you live in the US. 
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Yup in VT. Many days are cloudy and I bet that doesn't help either. How long did it take for you to ge yours to be a 38 from an 11?
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WildKingdom · Nov 22, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1 <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16062793"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I have been getting lots of sun exposure, and I don't wash with soap to help keep the Vut D on. I was also taking 4000 IU of Vit D3 everyday just about all summer. The other day I got tested and I am a 31! How could this be? My dr was complaining that I was taking too much, but after the results, she wants me to take way more.
 
Perhaps my Vit A intake is inadequate or too much?
 
On a side note, how did tradition/primitive peoples long ago get along without Vit D supplments on their shelves? I am worried that down the road there will be some harm to all this D I am taking.
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Uh, you know that washing with soap has nothing to do with keeping the Vitamin D on, right? Vitamin D is produced in the most inner layers of the skin, well below the stratum corneum, which is the thick outermost layer of the skin.

Koalamom · Nov 22, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by sbgrace <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16063492"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I'm convinced based on studies (in Hawaii, from those getting I think over 20 hours a week of direct sun) and my own experience that many people don't make adequate D from the sun.
 
At any rate, the general rule of thumb is 1000 IU per 25 pounds to maintain levels. I would up your intake of D3. I took 10,000 IU of D3 per day (that is more than your doctor is recommending per week). That level has been shown safe for adults of normal health indefinitely. I corrected a very low level quickly with that level of supplementation.
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Are you saying I need over 20 hours of sun a week or that is took much for proper D?
 
My dr is recommending 100,000 of D2 per week for 8 weeks to get it up. I feel good about 10,000 per day. I think that is what I am going to do.
 
 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by KimPM <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16063598"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Are you taking pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) along with the vitamin D? It's a cofactor for vitamin D.
 
Also, your body may be using the vitamin D up almost as fast as you are putting it in. 
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I have never heard this, but off to research. I also heard that boron is important for D.
 <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by HRJ <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16063646"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I am having a hard time remembering. I want to say that the dr had me on 5,000 units a day for the first few months and then had me on 2,000 units a day after that. Then I am not sure when we retested. I got my level of 11 a few years ago, and then I moved. Now my dr has limited my intake to 4000/day b/c I am pregnant, and my levels are about 42. I want to say it took a few months to get my levels up. 

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Good thing your levels are right now as of the studies with low Vit D and long labors connection. 

 
 <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by WildKingdom <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16064109"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1 <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16062793"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I have been getting lots of sun exposure, and I don't wash with soap to help keep the Vut D on. I was also taking 4000 IU of Vit D3 everyday just about all summer. The other day I got tested and I am a 31! How could this be? My dr was complaining that I was taking too much, but after the results, she wants me to take way more.
 
Perhaps my Vit A intake is inadequate or too much?
 
On a side note, how did tradition/primitive peoples long ago get along without Vit D supplments on their shelves? I am worried that down the road there will be some harm to all this D I am taking.
</div>
</div>
 
Uh, you know that washing with soap has nothing to do with keeping the Vitamin D on, right? Vitamin D is produced in the most inner layers of the skin, well below the stratum corneum, which is the thick outermost layer of the skin. 

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I always thought that Vit D washes off easily and that it needs a day or two to soak in. I think I read about this on Dr Mercola website? I am always learning.

KimPM · Nov 23, 2010

One more thing I remembered....it might be a good idea to split the dose over the day, as your body may only be able to assimilate smaller amounts at once. Maybe 1000 IU per dose a few times a day.

Panserbjorne · Nov 23, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by KimPM <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16067038"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> One more thing I remembered....it might be a good idea to split the dose over the day, as your body may only be able to assimilate smaller amounts at once. Maybe 1000 IU per dose a few times a day.
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I have limited clinical experience with this but I found that this isn't as much of an issue when correcting a deficiency as it is in acute illness. In acute situations it's much better to take it in divided doses for sure.

kkfum · Nov 23, 2010

You can get a high dose prescription for D3 (50,000IU gel capsules). My doctor put me on it. I can't remember the name of it, though. I didn't even have to ask...it's what she uses for everyone. She had me take it once a week for 8 weeks, continuing to supplement 5,000IU/day while on it. She also said to not slack off in taking daily doses, even after the 8 weeks. Well, I did forget after the 8 weeks. I started at 31 and when I was tested probably a month after I stopped the high dose prescription, I was only at 36. Very disappointing, however, it was end of winter, beginning of spring in the Northeast.
 
My advice would be to insist upon the D3 and follow doc's instructions about 2x/week. Then get re-tested, but do not stop supplementing. Go by the 1,000IU/25 lb. rule to find a maintenance dose, at least, if not doing more.
 
I have tried to be in the sun as much as possible this past summer in the Northeast (also not washing my arms with soap very often, just in case!) and sporadically supplemented. I have not been re-tested yet because I keep forgetting to go in. For the past month, I have been pretty good about it, but upped my doses to 8,000IU/day. A maintenance dose for me would be 5,000IU, so I upped it. I also put my husband on 10,000IU/day (again, most days). He was also tested low at 30 a few months ago. I have to say that since he's been on it, his blood pressure has gone down and his mood has improved, even when stressed. There is no other explanation for it...he has not lost any weight, is not exercising, does not eat any better/differently than he was, and if anything, is even more stressed now than when he was initially tested.
 
Anyway, if you haven't looked already, some sites to check out are: <a href="http://www.vitamindcouncil.org" target="_blank">www.vitamindcouncil.org</a> and <a href="http://vitamindfoundation.org" target="_blank">http://vitamindfoundation.org</a>

subtlycrunchy · Nov 28, 2010

<h1 class="main">I am in the same boat over here in NH! lol... Here are two helpful vitamin D resources I've found:</h1>
<h1 class="main"><a href="http://www.womentowomen.com/healthynutrition/vitamindtestingandtreatment.aspx" target="_blank">To test or not to test — the ABC’s of vitamin D testing and treatment</a></h1>
 
<h1 class="main"><a href="http://www.womentowomen.com/healthynutrition/vitamind.aspx" target="_blank">Is vitamin D deficiency casting a cloud over your health?</a></h1>

Koalamom · Jan 13, 2011

Crazy Update! I took 10,000-14,000 ius every day for 8 weeks or so, and I just got my d tested again and I am a wooping 66!!!!! Does that mean I took too much? Is that # good? And how much should I take to maintain that? Is it normal for it to go up that fast?

tanyalynn · Jan 16, 2011

That's a reasonable number, I don't think anyone would argue that it's too high. 
 
I think it's a good sign that it went up to that level--you've been working on health stuff for a while, so to see a good response like that seems, well, a good sign. 
 
Figuring out how much to take... I'd start with the vit D council recs of 1,000 IU per 25 pounds of body weight, find a supp that's around that amount and stick there for a while. 
 
I really need to get around to testing myself.

sbgrace · Jan 16, 2011

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16183219" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1 <a href="/community/forum/thread/1280841/low-vit-d-results-after-supping-alll-summer-how-could-this-be#post_16183219"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a> Crazy Update! I took 10,000-14,000 ius every day for 8 weeks or so, and I just got my d tested again and I am a wooping 66!!!!! Does that mean I took too much? Is that # good? And how much should I take to maintain that? Is it normal for it to go up that fast?
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Yay! Mine went up fast like that too when I supplemented that amount. Yay! 
No, that's a good number according to a doctor I trust. You want to maintain that. I would drop down to 1000 IU per 25 pounds. After a while ideally you would restest and make sure that really did maintain--adjust if not. 
That number sounds great. You didn't take too much. You do want to bump down though. The studies show up to 10,000 IU per day safe for healthy adults. You did great. You want to maintain now.

Koalamom · Jan 16, 2011

I'm glad I got responses! I just got a letter from my dr and she said that I need to drop down to 1000 iu's per day. Yeah right! I don't want to loose what I have now. So if I weigh 113 that is a little over 4000 ius. My sup is 2000 per drop so I guess I should take 2 a day. Or should I take more?

sbgrace · Jan 16, 2011

Remember it's an average so you could do two per day and then an extra on Monday or whatever to average about 4000 IU per day. That's what I would do. I often take extra in the week as I typically forget my supplements on the week-end. I don't want to forget D so I just put those throughout the week rather than week-end.

Low Vit D results after supping alll summer! How could this be?

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