I have low thyroid issues and get my meds from a compounding pharmacy that seem to work well, but this time when I got my lab work done it was found that I had low Vitamin D levels as well (7 on the point scale on my labs). My question is: since being outside is not enough for me what would be the best way to get my levels up? My doctor wants my to take a high dose of D2 once a week for 15 weeks. The compounding pharmacists wants me to take 5000 IUs of D3 every day instead. I don’t know who to believe. I just know I want my joints to stop hurting and my D levels to come up.
Vitamin D has been shown to be considerably more important than just to help with bone and calcium metabolism. Recent research has revealed that it has a prominent role with the immune system. High levels in the 70 to 90 range would prevent almost half of all the breast cancer in the US, and would reduce all cancers considerably. In the 50 to 70 range, it will provide protection against many viruses and bacteria, including against the swine flu. It will also reduce the risk of auto-immune disease.
A level of 7 is exceptionally low. I usually place my patients on 5,000 IU per day and recheck a level 4 months later. If it is not coming up adequately, I would double the dose to 10,000 IU per day. Some people do not need more than 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day. Some conventional physicians are using 50,000 IU weekly or monthly to increase the levels more quickly, which is fine. There are dangers of increasing calcium levels in the blood at high levels, usually in the 120 to 200 range, which is hard to achieve.
D3 is what is measured in the laboratory. D2 is made by plants, while D3 is made by animals. I don’t think it matters whether you take D2 or D3.
One other thought, as you are looking for your joints to stop hurting: since you are also dealing with low thyroid issues, chances are that your weight is out of balance. You may want to consider the Ease on Down Weight Balance program that I’ll be offering soon (we’re just trying to get some of the technical issues resolved before we launch). This will be a tremendous help to you in getting your body into balance.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
2 responses so far ↓
1 Marian S // Sep 1, 2010 at 4:23 pm
I was tested last spring for Vit D and had a low reading of “14″ while normal I was told was between 30-60 something. I was shocked as I am outside in the sun a lot. Coincidentally at the same time I was tested through NAET for allergies and found Vitamin D on the list. I began taking 5000 IU a day of Vitamin D after being cleared of my allergy to it. Within 2 months my Vitamin D levels went to 43. Testing for a sensitivity or an allergy to Vit. D might give some answers.
2 Dr. Stan Gardner // Sep 4, 2010 at 11:08 am
Marian, At one point in time I had trouble believing we could be allergic or sensitive to anything our body needed–vitamins, minerals, hormones, enzymes. But now I know differently. Your level of 43 is well on its way to 50 to 70, which is where you want to be. The amount you are on is typical for people’s need in the Cleveland area.
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