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Vitamin D supplements part 2


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http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/low-vitamin-d-levels-linked-to-disease-in-two-big-studies/

 

When the researchers looked at supplement use, they found no benefit to taking vitamin D2. But middle-aged and older adults who took another form, vitamin D3 — which is the type found in fish and dairy products and produced in response to sunlight — had an 11 percent reduction in mortality from all causes, compared to adults who did not. In the United States and Europe, it is estimated that more than two-thirds of the population is deficient in vitamin D. In their paper, Dr. Franco and his colleagues calculated that roughly 13 percent of all deaths in the United States, and 9 percent in Europe, could be attributed to low vitamin D levels.

 

© 2014 The New York Times Company

 

Emphasis added.

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Someone told me that D2 is the one that doctors prescribe, so that people can get it covered under their drug plan.  But Sylvan told me that D3 was the one you were supposed to take.  It's OTC, so I think doctors ought to wise up and prescribe the correct one.

 

olga

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A few months ago I tested really low and got prescribed 10,000IU D2 (Rx) and only 2000IU D3 (OTC).  I have to schedule a followup test sometime this month to see if anything has improved.  

 

I knew nothing about Vitamin D back when those scripts were given to me.  Now in hindsight I'm baffled as to why my GP only assigned what I've since read to be a "maintenance"-level dose of D3 when my blood tested well into deficiency territory.  Of course, though, I'm sticking to exactly what was Rx'd by my GP until I get to see him again to reassess things.

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I've been taking 5000 IU of D3 a day for the last year or so. Had my levels tested a couple months ago and I came back at 45 which is considered at lower end of a good level according to vitamin D council. Though about adding another 2000 and see if I can get it up to around 60.

I think it's helped a lot. I know I haven't gotten so much as a sniffle in the last year and I'm usually good for at least two colds a year.

Edited by quiet storm
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On 5000IU/day Vit D3, my level went from 18 to 21, but then dropped back when I once more began some big doses of corticosteroid. 

 

A week or so go I began pulsing doses 15,000 IU three times a week. The theory is that pulse therapy should increase utilization of the hormone...we will see.

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Yeah it's strange how some folks don't respond to supplementation well. We were just talking about vitamin D the other day in another thread and a poster mentioned how his wife couldn't get hers to go up with oral supplementation. Said she had to go to tanning bed.

Edited by quiet storm
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