Vit D Levels - Frustrated!

I, too, was told I am severely Vitamin-D deficient by my endcrinologist a couple of years ago, pre bc (I am hypothyroid and on Synthroid).  She's been upping my D3 dose after each blood test since then and seeing very slow increases in my numbers.  I'm currently on 6,000IU daily and at last check, my numbers were finally into the 50s.  Yay!  Endo said to stay at this dosage until my results are in the 60s, then we'll back down to 5,000 IUs and see if it stabilizes.  I use drops I got from my naturopath - cheap (one bottle lasts six months at least and costs maybe $18), and very easy to take - I just squeeze three drops (each is 2,000 IU) on a bite of food once a day.  I give a smaller dose (400 IU) drop to my toddler each day, too.

Linda

     I love being outside in the sun, and have been taking calcium with 400iu D3 three times a day as well as 400iu D3 in my multi.  I also threw in a 1,000 iu once a week just for good measure.  I never expected to be deficient, in fact, I was concerned that I might be taking too much.  My D3 level is 15!!!!!  I am now on mega doses, taking 50,000iu once a week.  It pays to have your level checked so you know for sure.

I requested a Vit D test from my onc, who said they only do it if the patient requests it. I got the results yesterday and mine is at 45. She said normal is 20-100 so I'm fine. But am I really? LIterature I've read said under 50 is deficient. I take a multi-vit plus Calcium/Vit D supplements already. Should I be taking a larger dose?

Vivre - Thanks for the information about your supplement. I don't want to overmedicate myself, but I question how "normal" my level really is. I've been thinking this might be why I have always loved the sun even when it's hot outside.

Eldub, your post is very helpful.  I had my vitamin D level checked about 2 months ago and it came back at 50.  My oncologist was satisfied, but I had my doubts; if the normal range was 30 to 100 I would like to be in the upper half of the range.  I currently take 1000 IU of D and I get about another 800 between my multivitamin and calcium.  I think I'm going to start taking 1000 IU in the morning and again at night.

Hi.  It has been a bunch of months since I spent days researching the "right" amount of Vit D3 to take.  I emailed about 5 Vitamin D experts and each of them suggested no more than 2,000 IU daily, so that's what I take, regardless of what the blood work says. 

My onc also advised no more than 2,000 IU daily given the group of women in "that" study who had higher levels of Vitamin D and, at the same time, were MORE likely to get breast cancer than those women who had lower levels.  I emailed the author of the study to try to determine what amount of Vitamin D3 the group who were more likely to have BC, but she did not respond.  My point is that there seems to be a certain higher level of D that appears to be associated with developing BC.  If you haven't already read her article, I suggest doing so.  One must be careful with D.  Take care.  Judi

My level was 11 so I was put on 50,000 units a week after 8 weeks it went up to 26 and then 6 weeks later I was at 68. That is a great number but Vit D gives me the worst heartburn ever. I ended up at the doctor thinking I was having a heart attack!
I was taking 1000 units a day of D3 and the heartburn started again. I know take 400 units a day and the heartburn is better. I will get another blood test next month. I think that Doctors like the level to be at 30 or more. Dr.Christiane Northrup says 50 or more is the best level. Needless to say I have full blown Osteoporosis and the Doctor says I have most likely had it for the past 20 yrs and didn't know. I danced for 15 yrs, drank the milk, have the strongest nails so you never know. Make sure you get Calcium and it's best through food.

Now they found calcification in my mamo so I will go back for that. I have a little Fibro and bladder issues and herpes. It sounds like I"m 100! I'm 54 and you would never know it to look at me.I hope my list stops here!

I'm gald I read this post.  I recently increased my Vit D doses from 4000 to 6000 units daily.  My blood resutls showed I had dropped from 42 to 29 while taking 4000 units daily?????  I had heart burn lately and did not realize it might be cauised by the Vit D.  I try the liquid version instead of the gel caps and see if it resolves.  Thanks!!

Does Vitamin D deficiency cause other problems?  What causes it in people with "normal" diets and sun exposure?

My onc has not done Vit D testing on me.  Should I ask for this?

This is always an interesting discussion.  My labs were taken last week and I'll get the results in a couple of days.

If I remember correctly natural sources are best for D3.  I seem to remember too that the body needs to be 50% exposed for 15 min to produce adequate levels of vit D....calcium is necessary for proper absorption and magnesium is a necessary element as well....the balance so to speak.  

Aren't mushrooms are a good source of Vit D?  I remember that sun dried mushroom contain even higher levels of vit D....so I began sun drying my mushrooms in the summer. 

I was taking the calcium Vit D3 suppliment but not religiously.  My bones aren't doing so well either these days.  

But there is some very good information on this topic if you search the archives here.  Blinded by Science had the most comprehensive information (IMO) as I recall so you might search on her ID.  I seem to remember we talked a good deal about this last year.   

Best wishes to all as always