Taking vitamin D - caution with dose
Posted , 8 users are following.
I've been taking a Vitamin D supplement, 2000iu/day. It's high but the maximum is 4000iu/day. My vitamin D levels were only just below normal, but reading how important a vitamin it is in auto-immune conditions I wanted to be well into the normal level. Over the last week I've been plagued by itchy skin and dry, red eyes. A quick internet search says this can be a symptom of taking too much and, as it's fat soluble, you have to wait quite a while for the body to clear it. You can't get too much from sun or food apparently, only supplements - though please don't take this as scientifically proven, I only did a very quick scan of a few sites and didn't cross check anything. I'm going to drop my dose to twice a week now, once I've stopped itching.
I thought I should put this in as a warning to be careful with your dosage, and please, please do your research as too much can have serious health implications.
0 likes, 9 replies
Su02 Bridge_of_Sighs
Posted
HI Bridge
you can get 1000iu (D3 25ug)
VITABIOTICS they are a UK brand? not sure where you are?
SUE
Bridge_of_Sighs Su02
Posted
Hi, I'm taking vitabiotics.
There was an interesting documentary a week or so ago, by a doctor, about supplements which highlighted the founder of vitabiotics. It was a Horizon programme. I watched it for Vit D advice, but it was only touched on at the end, and no real help.
always_somethin Bridge_of_Sighs
Posted
Hi there.
I have solar urticaria (which basically means im allergic to UVA and UVB, the Sun)
I have to take vitamin D supplements.
And according to every official website, you cant have too much vitamin D supplement unless you are taking at LEAST 40,000 iu/day.
I take 5,000iu a day. The only side effect i initially had was sore bones. Due to lack of vitamin D, my bones were starving for it and acted like a sponge and they "swelled" once i started taking the vitamin D, but that went away.
If you are just below the 30 requirement, i would just suggest going outside for 15 minutes, that would solve all your minor deficiencies. Supplements are only needed for people who cant be in the sun, or maybe they work all night and sleep all day.
Bridge_of_Sighs always_somethin
Posted
I was 47 or 49, just below the 50. My packet says take one a day, do not exceed 4000. I thought that I would try to bring it up to high normal levels rather than just on the low borderline.
I have a big dog and walk for at least an hour in the middle of the day, every day. I don't wear sun cream and get plenty of sunlight. I should be fine, but even with that I'm borderline.
Whatever websites say, I'm itching and have sore, dry eyes. It's uncomfortable and I want to try to sort it out. Anecdotally on-line people have reported this, so I'm going to stop the supplements for a while and see if that makes a difference. I'll report back. Maybe some of us are allergic? or sensitive? or maybe there's an ingredient in the tablets that I'm reacting to?
ruth34896 Bridge_of_Sighs
Posted
Could very well be. Keep a good eye on symptoms, really don't need side effects when already not feeling well. Keep us updated.
ruth34896 Bridge_of_Sighs
Posted
Believe it or not,I am down to 5,000 units of vitamin d3, once daily. I started on 50,000 units twice a week, with that doseage, I had to get pre-approval from Meridian, as they were concerned at such a high amount. My levels we're down around 19 or less. They are running pretty good right now, get them checked every 6 months. The Cancer clinic does blood work every 4 months, and they keep an eye on the results that the Endocrinology doc posts. Only problem I had, was first starting it, stomach upset and irritated bowel. All gone now.
karen23320 Bridge_of_Sighs
Posted
Dear B of S,
First off I don't know who told you that 4,000 ui was the maximum daily for VIT D3-this is incorrect. There have been times when my doctor has prescribed 50,000 UI per day for 3-4 months to get my levels up.
Currently I take 5,000 Ui daily with no ill effects. The IMPORTANT ThING IS TO BALANCE IT WITH VITAMIN A. You should take 2-3x the amount of VIT A to balance your VIT D3. I take 10-20,000 VIT A per day.
HOPE this helps!
Karen 😃
Bridge_of_Sighs karen23320
Posted
Thanks Karen, that's helpful.
The 4000 figure is on my packet of tablets, so is probably caution for anyone taking it not under supervision. Like me.
Bridge
Bridge_of_Sighs
Posted
Here's an update. I stopped taking Vit D for a week, and stopped itching fairly quickly - I also noticed that I was incredibly thirsty. That stopped too. I didn't get anything like this with the oral sprays, so I'm wondering if I'm reacting to some ingredient in the vitabiotics brand. I seem to be able to take two a week and am fine, but any more than that and I have a reaction. I'm going to carry on until the packet is finished, they're not cheap, and then go back to the mouth sprays and see what happens.