Need help - what am I doing wrong?

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cp418
cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

I just got the results back for my Vitamin D levels and they dropped!!  I don't undertand it.  Last year my Vitamin D blood test showed 42.7 with normal range 15-55.  I was taking daily dose D3 of 3000 IU.  I increased my daily dose of D3 to 4000 IU and now my blood test came back at 29.  Any advice is very appreciated.

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  • althea
    althea Member Posts: 1,595
    edited November 2008
    A lot of supplements on the market are in a form we are unable to absorb.  Calcium, for example, is available derived from oyster shells.  It does indeed contain calcium, but the absorption rate is poor.  I've heard the same is true for the D vitamins added back into milk after it's processed. 
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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited November 2008

    Well, at least you're in the normal range. I've been doing the same thing for over a year, and I'm under 10.

    My doctor just put me on 50,000 per week in addition to my other supplementation.

    I read somewhere that D can get stored in body tissues (especially fat), and that it's not accessible in the blood.

    Don't know how true that is, but the D deficiency is starting to affect my parathyroid.

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2008

    I'm wondering if taking liquid Vitamin D3 instead of the gel capsule might make a difference?  Per my reading Vitamin D3 is the form better absorbed and the one you want to take and not the D2 form.  Well I'll try to take 5000 IU daily and get blood rechecked in 2 months.  Does anyone have a preferred brand they use?  My recent purchase was NOW brand. 

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  • LaurelS
    LaurelS Member Posts: 26
    edited November 2008

    It's my understanding that Vit. D3 is the desired form and needs calcium to be absorbed properly.  Like you I take 3000 IU's of Vit. D3, but additionally I take calcium twice daily.  It certainly is a battle to inch that serum level up.  I have clawed my way up to 40, but my onc wants me to be closer to 70.  That's the absolute high side, so I am shooting for somewhere between 50-60.  My plan is to have my Vit D level drawn every three months for the rest of my days.

    By the way, I use Swanson Vitamins and supplements.  They are high quality and reasonably priced.

    www.swansonvitamins.com , or google swanson vitamins. 

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  • spar2
    spar2 Member Posts: 6,827
    edited November 2008

    I thought you got vit D from sunshine, is that not right?

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2008

    spar2 - You are correct in that your body utilizes the sun to make Vitamin D from your diet.  However, if you do a GOOGLE search on 'Vitamin D Breast Cancer' you will find numerous research articles linking low levels of Vitamin D to several cancers and most recently breast cancer.  Studies measuring vitamin D linked low levels in women with breast cancer even when patients were exposed to sun.  This is especially true during winter months and in northern climates.  Breast cancer patients should get their Vitamin D blood level checked as this is also a needed dietary supplement for proper absorption of calcium ( again needed to be taken by patients on AIs).  Surprising many doctors are not up to date on the latest research regarding supplements and usually try to avoid discussion with patient (in my experience anyway).

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  • amberyba
    amberyba Member Posts: 608
    edited November 2008

    Laurel, how long did it take for your Vit D level to get to 40, what did you start out as?

    My level is 24, and I am taking the NOW brand like cp418, but swanson seems to have helped you. I bought the NOW brand of melatonin and It didn't even touch my insomnia.

    thanks,

    Amber

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  • Jellydonut
    Jellydonut Member Posts: 1,043
    edited November 2008

    CP,

    You may want to call into a Dr. radio show and ask Dr. Hoffman this question.  He is most knowledgeable about supplements and can most likely give you reasons/suggestions. He is one of the very few who has been into CAM for more than twenty years.

    Just an FYI...I've never met the Dr (his prices are waaay out of range for my wallet) but have listened to his radio show for years.  Just wish I could retain all the good info he disseminates.

    Here is his website with his radio schedule:

    http://www.drhoffman.com/page.cfm/53

    Good luck,

    Jelly

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2008

    Thanks jellydonut!!  I'm listening to some of his shows and list of top supplements.  Great link!!  Thank you again!  Joann

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