Vitamin D

Most of us have low vitamin D levels now-a-days.  It is most likely due to us being indoors more and our better use of sunscreen.  Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include muscle pain, bone pain and tingling -which may not seem so bad but vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with worsening of asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart health and high blood pressure.

In general, to help prevent vitamin D deficiency, a safe bet is to take 1000-2000 IU/ day of vitamin D for adults and 400IU/day for infants and kids.  Supplements are usually the best deal because it is hard to get enough vitamin D through diet -a glass of milk only has 100IU!  But if you are deteremined to increase vitamin D levels by diet -milk, fish, fortified food, egg yolk and fish liver oil. And get outside and allow your body to soak up some vitamin D from the sun!

Just a note here -vitamin D is available as D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol) -both are okay but D3 is more potent.

When vitamin D levels are way too low, some patients will be started on prescription vitamin D 50,000 IU.  These supplements are usually taken weekly until levels normalize -then they are taken monthly.

The problem here is that physicians start patients on weekly vitamin D 50,000IU capsules and forget to change them to monthly…which can lead to vitamin D toxicity.

Vitamin D toxicity is rare.  Symptoms consist of fatigue, nausea/vomiting, weakness and kidney problems.  If you have been taking vitamin D 50,000 IU weekly for more than 4 months -give your physician a call and ask them to check on your vitamin D levels.

Are you taking a vitamin D supplement?  We would love to hear about it! Go ahead and leave us a comment 🙂

Want to know about Vitamin D and Kids?  Read this article.

One comment

  1. Hi!
    I have lived in sunny Florida and the majority of people tested were Vit. D deficient. Why? Because we have been taught to be deathly afraid of sunshine. I am not advocating staying in the sun until you are burned or leathery, just 30 minutes in the morning sun (without chemicals used in sunblocking creams) will naturally allow your body to produce Vit. D.
    Thanks for GPA…I learn something new everytime I read it.

Comments are closed.