Vitamin D - 50,000 IU D2 weekly vs. 2,000 D3 daily

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rayhope
rayhope Member Posts: 228
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

At the end of chemo, my vitamin d level tested low.  Onc prescribed 2,000 IU Vit D3 daily.  Today I went for regular visit with my endocrinologist.  I see him for thyroid meds and followup after thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer 11 years ago.  In response to my complaints of muscle and joint pain, he suggested that I take 50,000 IU Vit D2 weekly and gave me a prescription for it.  At the time, I didn't realize that the large weekly dose was a different form of the vitamin.  Now I'm confused and would appreciate any info on which would be better.

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  • rreynolds1
    rreynolds1 Member Posts: 450
    edited November 2009

    I did some surfing on the web under vitamin d2 vs vitamin d3 and there are several articles.  I would also suggest checking with your doc but the articles say that vit d2 is what is produced in the skin and vit d3 is what we ingest.  Both are now considered equally effective according to the articles I read.

    Roseann

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  • navygirl
    navygirl Member Posts: 886
    edited November 2009

    where is Otter when we need her? I was also researching this as I have already been treated once and my vitamin D is still low. I'm on 50,000 iu for 8 weeks now. D2 and D3 are different in they way they metabolize in your system, as well as what levels you can take before you "overdose" so to speak. I do agree that your two doctors should be aware of what you are taking as I don't believe (thought I don't know for sure) that you should be taking them in tandem.

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  • rayhope
    rayhope Member Posts: 228
    edited November 2009

    Navygirl,  The endo suggested the 50,000 IU D2 instead of the 2,000 daily D3 (not together).  However, I'm confused by all the online research I've done since I got home.  A lot of websites claim the D2 is inferior; however, they are selling D3.  On the other hand, all prescription D is D2.  I'll discuss it with endo at my next appt, but that's not until January.  In the meantime, I'm not sure what to do.

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  • O3132W
    O3132W Member Posts: 211
    edited November 2009

    rayhope;   : Like you, my Med Onc tested my Vit D and found 23.7 which she says is very low and she prescribed 50,000 Vit d and called it into my mail order prescription service.( with great difficulty.)  I am instructed to take one per week and then have another blood test in 90 days.

    Then to add to my confusion I got a call from my mail order service stating that my plan does not cover this prescription as it is a vitamin.  Duh!  It is not sold over the counter and must be filled as a prescription.  So now I have to make many more un-nessary trips to get it..

    Is anyone else as frustrated in the medical community as I am.  I have three blood tests scheduled by 3 different drs within a few days of each other.  Wonder if I could make one trip with one blood draw to meet all their needs.  Also it seems to me that all the drugs I am to take are all brand names with no generic available. Is anyone else bothered by the sky high costs?  The long wait in the Drs  waiting room then exam room?  Answering machines to leave messages that take a long time to answer.

    Guess when one goes to many doctors one has to expect many follow ups and drugs from each.

    I am just very frustrated today  At age 73 I would prefer things simpler, when you talked to a real person and doctors kept close to their appt time.

    Util I read your post it never occured to me that a dr would prescribe V d3 or Vd2.  I guess I will have to check this out also.     Wishing for a better day   Cathey

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