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Vitamin D levels

Posted , 10 users are following.

Anhaga
Anhaga

Freaked out about nine months ago by a diagnosis of low bone mass.  Have been taking supplements and exercising like mad ever since.  Finally talked my doctor into letting me have a Vitamin D test.  Glad I did, because my level is now high enough to be approaching toxicity!  So this is just a heads up - more is not necessarily better.  Even in northern climates some of us can overdo the Vitamin D.  My blood level should have been at its lowest when I had the blood taken a month ago.  I've immediately stopped the two oily 1000 IU capsules, but am continuing with the (much lower dose of D) cod liver oil as I want the Vitamin A (retinol) also found in that, and of course there is D in calcium supplements as well as food.

1 like, 33 replies

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  • frankiefoo
    frankiefoo Anhaga

    Posted

    So just how high are your vitamin D levels?

    You know the optimum level is around 150 nmol/litre and toxicity is rare. What is a concern when taking high doses of vitamin D, is calcium. To conteract that and it calcifying your organs, you need to combine the vitamin D supplements with vitamins K and F. Vitamin K = leafy greens or supplements and vitamin F = Linoleic acid (oils from nuts and seeds are best). 

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga frankiefoo

      Posted

      The number I was given was 169.  They get concerned when it tops 200.  I'm aware of the other micronutrients we have to take, especially K2, and as a vegetarian I do eat a lot of nuts anyway.  I was particularly concerned about D because I had a long-ago diagnosis of sarcoidosis (always non-symptomatic except for an enlarged lymph node which was biopsied), and the jury is out but there may be some issues with that disease and too much Vitamin D.
    • frankiefoo
      frankiefoo Anhaga

      Posted

      169 is quite high then.

      Ooh, sarcoidosis and sensitivity to vitamin D. Results = too much calcium being absorbed through the intestines with high levels of calcium in the blood and urine. Sun exposure further stimulates this process, so it's not the tablet form only to blame though many researchers say sublingual sprays might be a better choice. There are rarely symptoms seen with high levels of calcium in the blood. It's when there's too much calcium diverted to organs that becomes the problem with too much vitamin D. You're doing great eating greens and nuts (naturally getting your vitamins K and F). Keep your D levels maintained with 800IU a day and have your bloods tested every 3 months (for calcium and vit D)  along with urine samples to measure the calcium level.

      Low bone mass can be increased with a high pytate diet (wholegrains, legumes, seeds, nuts). 

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga frankiefoo

      Posted

      No D-forming sun where I live when I had the test taken.  Sun only effective at this latitude half the year.  So I can't blame the sun for these results. I think the problem is a bit more complicated - I have a diagnosis of sarcoidosis, completely asymptomatic, and I've known about it (from a biopbsy) for aver thirty five years.  But the granulomas can convert inactive D to an active form.  So I am feeling abit worried about this and the long term implications.  Why is nothing ever straightforward?
  • Handbrake
    Handbrake Anhaga

    Posted

    Thanks for the heads up Jean, I'm just taking the calcium,D supplement (with additional minerals) and k2 but interesting findings! Going to ask for a check on my vit d levels at next follow up😳
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Handbrake

      Posted

      I have to say I didn't think there was such a thing as a toxic level of Vitamin D.  Makes me wonder if there's anything else I might be overdoing.  Certainly wouldn't mind taking fewer pills of any kind.  idea
    • Aristotle13
      Aristotle13 Anhaga

      Posted

      I'd like to get hold of an all-in-one pill and ditch the rest but it is more difficult than I thought, especially since some, like Calcium also have vitamin D. I've only found one of that type and it costs a fortune from 'The Book' author. Carriage was also fairly horrendous and since it would be a continuous thing, I don't think that one is feasible.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Aristotle13

      Posted

      I believe that no "all in one" pill could be good, because some things simply have to be taken at different times.  Iron is the bad thing, but calcium can also, I think, interfere with some things, notably and annoyingly, zinc!  There is some info on the internet which indicates that the various fat soluble vitamins compete with one another for absorption and should ideally not be taken at the same meal.  rolleyes Sigh.
    • Handbrake
      Handbrake Anhaga

      Posted

      It's a strange one as many foods we eat contain competing sources also😫 Shellfish for instance contain copper ( important for the immune system and strong bones)and zinc however, too much zinc reduces the amount of copper your body can absorb leading to anaemia and weekens bones.... it really is a delicate balance!
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Handbrake

      Posted

      I think that most times we wouldn't really have to worry about food.  The only thing I read was that it's a good idea not to have a lot of calcium at the same time as the meal in which you consume most iron, and vice versa.  So don't have a nice milky dessert after you've eaten your liver, for example (that's a bit extreme, but you get the drift).  It's really commone sense, don't you think? And eating a balanced diet, not too much of one thing, nor too little of another.  Then our intelligent body does the balancing for us.  

       

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga

      Posted

      common redface
    • jill0890
      jill0890 Anhaga

      Posted

      I wish I could even remember when to take what..... not sure I would ever get that in this brain of mine!
    • shaq26875
      shaq26875 jill0890

      Posted

      I know how u feel jill.... i have given up on all the supplements now...always forget to take them. I eat lots of fruit,veggies,cheese, and nuts. I try to avoid processed and fried foods and eat desserts as a treat when eating out...at home I eat a handle of sweet grapes or mango as dessert
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga jill0890

      Posted

      Because I have to take prednisone for polymyalgia I must make sure that I start the day right.  Everthing (except the pred) is measured into a one week pill organizer, each day has two compartments, for am and pm.  That really helps, although it's not foolproof!  I've just gone through and removed all the Vitamin D capsules for this week.   
    • LayneTX
      LayneTX Anhaga

      Posted

      Yep, hear ya. I have 3 weekly pill containers. White small for thyroid before brkfst. Yellow box for morning and lunch. Blue box for evening and before bed. 2 pills are refrigerated, so they get forgotten sometimes. Grrrr.

      yeah, Rheumy had me take 5000 IU Vit D at first.  I personally paid cash to test my D during tests they offered to the public. It just said over 95, "high".

      so she said drop to 2000 IU.

      I used to buy individual vitamins so I can control the dosage, what a pain... Now I do take an all in one bone formula, the calcium is from ocean algae, verses from limestone. I hope it is a good one.  I can PM the brand if anyone wants to know. I like the amounts of each vitamin. Can also get on online, Amazon. I'm seeing it at the healthier stores too. 

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga LayneTX

      Posted

      The calcium in my supplement is from animal bones.  I know...I know... rolleyes.  Read that calcium hyroxyapatite was better absorbed by people on prednisone than other kinds, although calcium citrate was what I took before and will revert to in the future when pred is gone or nearly gone from my life.  I've had to buy both of these kinds from a health food store, not available in the pharmacy, at least I couldn't find them.  Seems odd....
    • LayneTX
      LayneTX Anhaga

      Posted

      As you know I'm too on Prednisone, but never heard certain calciums are better with it. Goodness, I'll try to look that up.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga LayneTX

      Posted

      calcium hyroxyapatite, from New Zealand cattle.  I don't know that it would be first choice for people who aren't on pred, calcium citrate might be.
    • Aristotle13
      Aristotle13 Anhaga

      Posted

      There are programs available which guarantee the cure of osteoporosis and I believe that they use several capsules with various fillings for use at different times of day. It would be more convenient if I could get hold of these without having to also purchase a managed program. I don't think that I could cope with being 'managed'.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Aristotle13

      Posted

      That's how people are making money.  And I don't know how anyone can guarantee a particular result, seems optimistic, although desirable!  As I've just learned, it seems that I'm an exceptional case and should not be taking as much Vitamin D as one would normally do.  I don't know what that means for calcium metabolism.  I'm actually quite worried about all this.  But perhpas I'll be able to get some guidance when I go to the special bones program at our local hospital in a couple of weeks.
    • Aristotle13
      Aristotle13 Anhaga

      Posted

      I agree that the guarantee claim is probably wishful thinking but I liked the idea of just a few capsules to be taken at regular times during the day. The idea was as you have suggested previously, to keep interacting drugs away from those with which they would interact. I need to be a little more organised with this but I am concerned that with so many nutrients it would be easy to make a mistake and overdose on one accidently. I think a tick chart may help so I'll give that a try.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Aristotle13

      Posted

      I have everything in a one week (two compartments a day) pill organiser.  But it looks like I'll not be taking calcium supplements any more, as there is too much vitamin D in them.  Now I have to find reliable food supply to get enough calcium.  Sigh. 
    • Aristotle13
      Aristotle13 Anhaga

      Posted

      The food that comes mind is the chia seeds which have 18% RDA per ounce but I suspect that this can be bettered. There are Calcium tablets available which don't have vitamin D as well and obviously there are many vegetables which have varying amounts. I'm sure that you will find adequate sources but it is a pain after having gotten nicely sorted out.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Aristotle13

      Posted

      I've just gone onto the Osteoporosis Canada site and there is a calculator there.  I put in roughly what a normal intake of various foods would be for a given day, and my calcium intake is almost exactly the recommended amount. So I now feel a whole lot better about scrapping all the supplements (the calcium and D, not the K2 and a few other things) and concentrating on exercise for bone building.  confused
    • Handbrake
      Handbrake Anhaga

      Posted

      Great news Anhaga,dietary calcium appears to be absorbed better anyway even more so if you avoid wholegrains and salt at mealtimes.That tablet container is looking more empty by the day!😄
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Handbrake

      Posted

      I wish the reason for removing those tablets were less concerning....
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Handbrake

      Posted

      Thank you for your encouragement, however!wink
    • Handbrake
      Handbrake Anhaga

      Posted

      Sorry Jean, didn't mean to sound flippant about your concerns more congratulating in your endeavor to research and adjust your supplement intake to one that could work better for you. 🙊
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