Large Amounts of Vitamin D? - Osteoporosis Message Board

Stargazer · 07-12-2003, 07:31 PM

Just discovered your list and have found it very interesting.

I am an older woman who fell down stairs (slipped) and broke my leg. (Was hurrying and not paying attention.)Upon surgery, it was discovered I have osteoporosis. T-score for hips is -1.5 and for spine is -2.9.

I am on Foxamax and tolerating it just fine, although I would prefer not taking it. Worry about long-term effects. Since I am otherwise very healthy, doctor doesn't understand why I am losing Calcium and wants to put me on Vitamin D (40,000) once a month for a year. Would check my blood results in 3 months to see how I am doing. Need to watch for stones which too much Vitamin D can cause, per the doctor.

I take Calcium (1200 units a day) although I haven't been good about that until recently. Took my good health for granted. I am making sure I walk an hour a day, but prior to breaking my leg, was hiking once a week (5 to 8 miles) with no problems. Doctor said daily exercise is very important.

Has anyone heard of using this amount of Vitamin D before to fight Osteoporosis? Haven't decided whether I'll do this or not. Appreciate any input.

NancyH · 07-12-2003, 09:28 PM

I to have been put on 50,000units of Vit D a month as well. Supposedly if all other reasons for losing calcium in the body has been ruled out and the test shows low Vit D, it can signal the reason for calcium loss as Vit D helps you absorb calcium. I'm moderate osteoporosis in the lumbar 2.8 but severe in my hips 3.9, I am concerned with high dose of vit d along with my actenol.

peregrine · 07-13-2003, 04:12 AM

Audrey,

Actually, your hip T score isn't all that high - 10.5% of normal. That sounds like a lot of Vitamin D to me! Couldn't you just take a normal dose (most calcium includes it)and then make sure you get sun each day, which it sounds like you already do.

You say you are tolerating the Fosamax well. How long have you been on it? Utlimately, I think you will have to decide which course you want to take, but if you decide to go the alternative route, you seem to already be doing many things right, like exercising daily. You would also have to be faithful to taking your calcium daily and making sure you are taking one that is highly absorbable and including magnesium and vitamin K in your regime. In addition, you would find a lot of helpful support on this board from gals/guys who have chosen the drugless path.

Wishing you all the best!

P

[This message has been edited by peregrine (edited 07-13-2003).]

Stargazer · 07-13-2003, 01:06 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I have been taking Fosamax for just one year. The Vitamin C I am now taking is the chewable type and 3 tablets a day are giving me 300 IU's of Vitamin D and 120 mcg's of Vitamin K. This gives me 1500 units of Calcium/day.

Will check out some of the alternative methods being used on the site (regarding Fosamax).

Canyonbabe · 07-16-2003, 11:36 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by peregrine:
[B]Audrey,

Actually, your hip T score isn't all that high - 10.5% of normal. That sounds like a lot of Vitamin D to me! Couldn't you just take a normal dose (most calcium includes it)and then make sure you get sun each day, which it sounds like you already do.

Hi, I don't understand where you get the -10.5% when they said the hip T score was 3.5 don't they mean -3.5 I thought the T score meant -3.5% was 35% of normal 30 year old which was the comparison. This is new to me but I thought -3.5 was not very good from what I read. It is never expresses at a positive number is it? Need some education.

[This message has been edited by Canyonbabe (edited 07-17-2003).]