another vitamin d question - Vitamins & Supplements Message Board

jenn3 · 12-07-2007, 02:32 PM

I was diagnosed almost a year ago hypothyroid and hashi, also blood had showed very vitamin d deficient (level was 16 at the time), took 1200 iu supplements and it went up to 23, then 3 months later dropped to 23 so i was upped to 2000 plus i take a multi with 400 iu in it so i have been taking 2400 for the past three months. Just had another blood test and i am very happy it is now at 28. Dr. said it is still low and wants me to up to 3000 iu since it is winter and will not be in the sun. My question is that alot of you seem to ask, when i finally get the vitamin d level up to a "normal" level, is it going to drop again or will i have to take supplements for the rest of my life? I am curious as to why some of us cannot absorb vitamin d properly.
And does it matter which vitamin d supplement i take. Are the ones from a health store better then the ones from cvs or a store like that??
thanks
Jennifer

namelessme · 12-20-2007, 11:58 AM

You might have to take a vitamin d supplement for the rest of your life, but it's not exactly the end of the world. It's not like it'll harm you or have any side effects.

I've read that ideal vitamin D levels are around the 40-50 range. So 3000iu probably would be a good level for you during the winter, or perhaps even more.

As for myself, my D levels were at 21 (during the summer). After 4000iu/daily I got it to 43. I cut back to about 1000-2000iu daily and it leveled off at 34, according to my last test. I may have to increase it now that it's winter.

I'm not sure why some people absorb vitamin D better than others. It could do with lack of sunlight/outdoor activities, region they live, color of their skin, or perhaps a digestive/nutritional absorption problem. Since you are hypothyroid, I assume you see an endocrinologist -- you can ask him/her about it, as they tend to know more about vitamin D deficiencies than family doctors do.

And regarding the type to use, go for D3, in a gel with some oil it in, as D is fat soluble. Dry D or D2 in multivitamins do not work nearly as well in the body. I personally get a health store brand, and thankfully vitamin D is super cheap anyway.