Vitamin D3 vs D2? How much?

SimoneRC

Hi!

I have been on Vitamin D2 Rx supplement, 50,000 iu, once per week for over a decade due to low vitamin D level, 17 in summer with a good tan. Recently, I switched to D3 as it is supposed to be better. 2000 per day. I never have had mood issues, but I have to say that I am now,and the only change is the vitamin D. Feeling down, tired, disorganized. My PCP really had no idea/opinion about vitamin D2 vs D3 and making the switch. Anyone else out there who is deficient and switched from the Rx 50,0000 to D3? What dose do you take? Any issues switching or is it just me?

Thanks!

gb2115

We prescribe both D2 and D3 where I work, and I have to say we see a better lab response with D3. The weekly D2 rarely budges anyone's numbers. Usually it's 1000-2000 iu/day of D3. I have never witnessed a correlation between D dose/deficiency vs not and mood or energy level (no one has said anything to me about it), so I can't speak to that.

SimoneRC

Thanks GB2115!

FWIW, I was diagnosed as deficient quite by accident. Had terrible joint pain and lack of energy. A month or so after beginning the Rx 50,000 iu all of those issues resolved, I made the switch just over one month ago to 2000 D3 daily. Guessing I need to up the D3 and/or get my blood re-checked. On the Rx dose, it gets me only to low end of normal.

Thanks again!

Denise-G

My MO "prescribed" me D3 - 2,000 mg after BC. When I started taking D3, no longer did I get depressed and SAD in the cloudy, depressing, snowy Ohio winters.

I had a huge mood change for the positive with D3.

ceanna

Simone, I read a lot of Dr. Mercola articles. Here's a link to one about the difference between Vit. D2 and D3 https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/07/17/vitamin-d3-versus-d2.aspx Basically, your body is better able to absorb D3. Don't know why most doctors prescribe D2 other than the training medical doctors receive in nutrition and vitamins is often zero!

Not sure about the mood changes--Vit. D3 is often associated with better mood. Maybe your body is just adjusting to having a more absorbable form of D or there is a drop in what you previously took and what you're taking now. There's a thread or two on BCO also about Vit. D and Vit K. Dr. Mercola also talks about the need for both if you search his website.

I take 5000 units D3 per day or more in the winter and take 5000 units and get sunshine in the summer. If you live in northern climates, you get almost no benefits of sunshine in the winter--that's why I take more in winter. If you scroll down on this page, https://www.mercola.com/article/vitamin-d-resources.htm you will see a United State centric map showing your Vit. D. synthesis by month. It took a couple of years to get my blood Vit. D levels to the high end of the normal range after low levels were detected by my endocrinologist.

All the best and hope you can feel an improvement soon.

macb04

I alsi take 5,000IU per day. Vitamin D2 is more poorly absorbed. Also studies have shownhigher blood levels of Vitamin D with daily dosing of Vitamin D3. The only limiting factor on Intake of Vitamin D3 is having sufficient Vitamin K2. Vitamin D3 works synergistically with Vitamin K2 and Magnesium to take Calcium out of soft tissue spaces, and put it into your bones where it belongs. Vitamin K2 can be found in foods like Gouda and Edam cheeses and Natto. Also in supplements too, as either the MK-4 and MK-7 form of Vitamin K2.

Also my doc recommended taking Vitamin D3 5,000IU daily, with my highest fat meal of the day to increase absorption.

SimoneRC

Thank you DeniseG, ceanna, and macb04! I really appreciate your input!

When I started the Rx long ago, my PCP said D2 as that is the only way to KNOW the amount you are getting as it is a prescription drug and therefore FDA rules and monitoring. Hopefully the big name brand OTC D3 one I bought is good!

Doubled my dosing, up to 4000 after reading everyone’s input. Will test blood in a month or so. Hopefully will feel better again soon!

You ladies are the best! Thank you for taking the time to share:-).

jessie123

I was diagnosed years ago with a D level of 7---- Went on D3 - 2000 a day and levels went up to 22. I think it stayed low because I was drinking it in a little paper cup of water before bed. The greasy vitamin stuck to the paper cup. Then I took it to the kitchen to try and eat it with a fatty meal. That was two years ago and I've never remembered to take the vitamin since then. You've reminded me to start again - especially now that I have cancer. Be careful how much you take because there are negative side effects if your levels get too high.

Egads007

If you’re taking D3 in solid pill form (instead of a gel cap), be sure to take with a healthy oil or fat...better adsorption.Best starting point is 4000 IU/day.

SimoneRC

Thanks Egads007! Taking gel and bumped up to 4000. Fingers, sorely, crossed!

Anonymous

My oncologist put me on 1000 MG a day of D3, however she also wants me to take calcium, which I don't think any others have mentioned. I hardly take the calcium because it does such a job on my stomach causes problems going to the bathroom.

My oncologist never mentioned taking Vitamin K2.

SimoneRC

No calcium for me recommend yet as DEXA was fine. Will ask about K2. Thanks to all for wisdom on this topic!

santabarbarian

When diagnosed my D was about 29. Lower end of normal/high insufficient. My naturopath wanted to see my D up on the 80 range, which is high end of normal... After 5 months of supplementing 5000 IU/day I am almost there. D status is very important to fighting cancer and high D correlates to less cancer.

What's strange is that I liv in a sunny place and am outdoorsy and drank milk.... would never have imagined I had a D shortage.

SimoneRC

Santanarbarian,

Also could have knocked the socks off me and PCP when I tested 17. Was summer. Always outside swimming and hiking or walking. Did not use sunscreen often. Good diet with calcium. Getting vitamin D, just not able to convert it. Sounds like 5000 may be the right amount.

New large study published in NEJM shows it does not prevent cancer BUT for those of us who have cancer lowers risk of dying from cancer.

marijen

santabarbarian, I have been taking 5000 D a day for years and can’t get past 45, what brand do you take? Or do you spend a lot of time in the sun?

santabarbarian

You can get injections of D3.... Also, there may be some co factor you need for better absorption? Or things that fight absorption?

I would suggest you visit a naturopathic MD and see what his/her advice is.

My D is softgels and the brand is from my local natural foods store so not sure who they buy from, but their vitamin cred is excellent.

ceanna

I had trouble for years getting my blood levels up to high normal range, but after switching to a non-soy oil based brand (Trader Joe's has in a organic flaxseed oil base) my levels finally climbed to where they should be. I haven't been retested in about a year, but will be again in February, so I'll see if this still holds true!

marijen

Thanks ladies, I can try Trader Joe’s, next time I’m out that way. I was down to 10, 2 1/2 years before dx. Living in a sunny state then, not now. My muscles hurt so bad before I got my level up. But I want to get it higher.

AliceBastable

I don't recall the exact numbers, but sometime this summer my MO said my D level was low and to add 1000 units per day. My multivitamin already had that amount, so I got the target amount of 2000. Numbers have been fine since.

SimoneRC

Thank you marijen and Alicebastable! So interesting! Hoping we all work out the correct doses and feel good!

ceanna

Here's a link to a new article by Dr. Mercola about Vitamin D, health, and symptoms of low D. Who knew that head sweating was a sign of deficiency?!! https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/01/01/signs-of-vitamin-d-deficiency.aspx?utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20190101Z1_UCM&et_cid=DM257682&et_rid=508000508

Happy New Year everyone!

SimoneRC

Thank you, Ceanna!

marijen

That’s very informative, I sent to my “good sister”. Just dx’d with osteoporosis. I had the musculoskeletal pain. Three years later got the BC.

Anonymous

I take Vit D3 drops, emulsified, that I buy from my naturopathic MD. My oncologist tests my levels every year, and since I've been supplementing (3000 IUs a day) with drops my levels average between 67-70.