Vitamin D amounts and timing

[LazyMoose]

I remember several of you take quit a bit of Vitamin D.  For the last year my vitamin D supplement is from my Multi-vitamin containing 1000 IU of D.  I added some more D, up to 3000 IU for one week recently and I seemed a little less foggy brained. I just dropped back to 1000 IU, cause I also changed from Armour to a generic Dessicated and you should only change things one at a time to track the effects.

So after my lab test are in range I want to try more Vitamin D again to see If anything good comes from it (lift my head rout of the swamp so to speak!).

I have seen anywhere from 5000 to 10,000 IU as the max for daily use. I dont think I should try more than 5000 without a Vitamin D lab test.

How long does it take for you to notice any difference? (if you benefit from more)

Is there really any best time to take Vitamin D?

[magpieannie]

Vitamin d takes a while to rise on the labs. Maybe this is because it is really a hormone? I give my daughter 2000 IU in addition to what is in the multi. I tried dropping back to just 1000 iu over the summer, as she was outside in the sunshine more, and her level dropped by 15 points. (48 to 33). Her doctor would like to see it between 50 and 60, so we are taking 2 pills again and may need to go up to 3 (3000iu)

[fashiono]

My Vitamin D level was 28.1(ref:30-100) when doc checked mine so he put me on  Rx Vitamin D 50,000 units -one a week for 6 weeks and then one a month. So I quess my level was really low. I am on my second week and I haven't noticed any changes yet.  Does anyone know how long it takes to notice changes?

[LazyMoose]

So, If you take D in tablets, there is no best time since it is actually a hormone?

When I asked about the timing thing, I had magnesium (best before bed, helps sleep) and calcium (best to separate from thyroid meds) in thought.

****Can higher dose of D keep you awake If taken before bed?****

[fashiono]

I would like an answer to that question also. I take mine in the mornings.

[Barb135]

My vitamin D levels are low also, but I've not seen my doctor to get started on any kind of regimen.  You might want to contact ChitChatNine, who is one of the CL's of this forum.  She was on 50,000 units for a while and might be able to tell you how long it takes to notice an effect.  Would be interesting to know, since I will also be starting on it.  

[redheadaussie]

I noticed the effect pretty much after a couple of weeks. My depression started to lift and my mood certainly changed. Having low calcium I urged the docs to check my levels of Vit D. Sure enough they were severely low. I now take 2,000 iu daily and find for me that is the best dose.
Some people need more or less.
I take my Vit D in the morning. I have found taking any medications later in the day can cause me difficulty in sleeping. It may just be coincidental but I feel I am best to take what I can in the day time.
  Often Calcium supplements have magnesium and Vit D in them so I really don't think taking them together is an issue. But if you are best with Magnesium at night then stick to that and take the Vit D another time.

[hope4thegoodstuff]

I had a major tachycardia event a few weeks ago about 20 minutes after I took my synthroid and I stopped everything vitamin.  Now I'm tired and grouchy all the time and have thought about getting back on the calcium, and vitamin d, but have no idea how much is safe to take....it's good to hear that you can take D in the a.m.  I don't much like taking vitamins at night as I too think they may wake me up...

I haven't been out in awhile....working too hard...gosh I'm missing you guys.  (well gals and guys, but you know what I mean.)

[Lori707]

My Vit.D went down to 8.5 . Got osteoporosis after losing up to 10.2% of my bone mass. I went on 50,000 IU every week and the D started to rise. I noticed I wasn't depressed anymore. I got it up to 40. Then stopped the 50,000 every week. I then noticed after a bit that I started to get depressed again. I took another blood test and my D was low again. Doc gave me 50,000 IU every week again with an additional 800IU everyday for several months. Just took another test and my D is still low. My endocronologist doesn't think my body is absorbing the D. I'm now on 50,000 IU every week and 2,000IU every day. I'm going to be taking another test next week.

I also took a urine test that determines how much bone mineral is being excreted. My test came out High! So I'm still losing bone mass.

I'm afraid of overdosing on D which can happen. And why would the body not be able to absorb it?

Confused and concerned

[Barb135]

I'm thinking that I might have the same problem - absorption... I'm in the sun for at least 3-5 hrs/day and I just found out I'm deficient in Vit D.......how can that be unless I don't absorb/make it?/  I also have pernicious anemia and I've just changed to a new pcp who ordered a micronutrient blood test to see if there's anything else I'm deficient in.  If so, I guess we will deduct that I have an absorbency problem --- what's done from there, I don't know.........

[6hashi]

Hello ,
I take it at the morning right after the levo .
shall it be taken on an empty stomach ?

thanks ,

[Terri627]

ALL vitamin and mineral supplements should be taken 4 hours before or 4 hours after your thyroid pill. Taking them any sooner causes them to bind with the thyroid pill, making the pill far less effective. Vitamins and minerals can be taken at any time of the day, some people are better off taking them with a meal, because they can cause stomach upset when taken on an empty belly. Thyroid pills should be taken with water only, as sugar is also a food and is found in most drinks in some form. It seems to work best for me to take my vitamin and mineral supplements with breakfast, wait 4 hours and take my thyroid pill. That gives me at least 2 hours until lunch, and no dairy with lunch, because it contains calcium! Other people I hear set their alarm, wake up, take their thyroid pill, then go back to sleep for a few more hours. The most important thing with your thyroid pill is to take it at the same time every day. You have to work the other things around it. Calcium helps some people sleep, so maybe taking that along with magnesium would work. Well, that's my two cents, I hope it helps :D

[TamraW]

Honestly, after I take high levels of any vitamin, I seem to get hives. I have no idea why. I am taking low D (500-1200) IU daily depending on how I feel. I also find that, for me, the best vitamin D is the sun. I seem to have higher levels when I sunbathe.

During thunderstorm weeks, I can feel my muscles cramping and I know my D is dropping, no matter how many vitamins I take. Once the sun returns, the cramping eases.

:) Tamra

[Liz94]

I've been taking 50,000iu of vitamin D once a week for 2 years as it's the only way to keep my numbers in the normal range. My endo told me to take my pill with a meal that includes fat. He said that's the way it is best absorbed.

[LazyMoose]

It amazes me how our medical system operates. I asked my Endo clinic to get a vitamin D test at the same time as my thyroid lab test coming up - there snippy reply: 'we just dont randomly test people for things you know'.

My answer: OK , I DEMAND THAT YOU TEST MY VITAMIN D LEVEL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

This was after my GP told me to go to the Endo for it. Being polite to this clinic gets me nowhere, I have to be a demanding pain in the ars to get them to do anything. We are there customers, why do they forget this? I had to vent.

So, anyone know how long vitamin D stays in the body? I stopped last week, so I hope thats good enough for D testing this Friday.

Thanks all.

[TamraW]

Those big 50,000 unit pills are slow release and stay in the body a week or more. For me, regular vitamin D pills don't stay long in me. After a few days of no pills, I feel my legs cramping.

:) Tamra

[LazyMoose]

That's good. I stopped taking the over the counter vitamin D (pills) last week in hopes of getting a vit D test this Friday. Hope its all out of my system by then. After pulling their teeth, they finally said OK with the D test!

By the way, I PM'ed you on something, so check your e-mail.

Thanks

[stella5349]

Vit D will release seratonin (sp) and help overcome depression and mellos out a person. It also will help relax a person to help them sleep - taking it - whether day or night is no issue - except if taken during the day - it will release some fat burning calmness for some hypos.

Vit D - is a hormone that will balance moodiness out. Low Vit D is linked to crankiness. LOL

I started a 10,000 iu daily when I started iodine and it does help me through the day - I certainly am not as hostile as I could be. My post on my current job is certainly stressing me out, but I am handling that stress quite well. ( i think)

Vit D-3 - Rx strength is one of the best forms to take. I don't think the capsules are as good as the liquid - I tried both and find the liquid is superior to the pills

[stella5349]

opps.. caution on the Vit D too.

Taking it with calcium supplements - or if you are not really deficient - or you are taking to much of it than what you need could result in calcified stones.

Don't want to overload in this feel great hormone.

[skeeterknitwit]

I'm also Vit D deficient.  I'm taking Vit D3.  My Dr. recommended it.  I've also seen several articles that say Vit D is very short lived in your system.  Vit D3 is better utilized by your body and stays in your system much longer.
I have to make a special trip to GNC to find it.  My Vit D test is due next month.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

[TamraW]

Stella, I hadn't thought of that. I drink milk, so I probably need to ease up on the calcium pills. My last two calcium tests were perfect 9.6.

:) Tamra

[LazyMoose]

If I do need vit D, I was hoping it would help with energy and what little muscle soreness I have left. My endo refuses to think that a lot of my muscle sorness went away from T3 in Dessiascted. I swear it helps; I've proved it! But its not all gone.

Although the the rainy, cloudy and cold Northland contributes to mood, If vit D counteracts that all the better. I would say my attitude comes from ridiculous and uninformed doctors comments! LOL

[Lori707]

Pharmacist told me that the 50,000 IU D is synthetic and it's not D3.
Curious if anyone has any comments about this.

[magpieannie]

My daughter had lots more muscle aches on t4 Synthroid. Her freet3 was always low (convertion issue) . She is on dessicated for 8 months now and has very little muscle pain now. I think it has to do with the available t3 too!

[magpieannie]

I second the medical system comment! I just had an aunt and a good friend who have MANY symptoms of hypothyroid. Both sick for a very long time. I have been counseling them both about what test to have run and both had PCP's that had attitudes about it and DID NOT RUN the freet3 freet4 or antibodies after they were asked! Unbelievable!!! I am really sick of doctors who care more about their ego's then about their patients who they are suppose to be working for! Something is really "wacked" with our medical community when it comes to finding the real answers to WHY people are sick. Don't they take some kind of Hypacratic Oath? Maybe they should dig it out and read it again!