How will 50,000 iu of Vitamin D help me?

[AnnieW625]

I am vitamin d deficient. I have been taking 1000 iu a day plus another 600 from my calcium, and 300 I think from my multi. My dr. wants me to take 50,000 iu of vitamin d in pill form one time a week for 12 weeks. I had no idea it came in a dose of that many ius. It is rx only.

[veronica]

I'm on this quite regularly. I barely get to 33 while on it. I typically start between 9-13.

[MommyAllison]

From what I've read, the thinking is that one large weekly dose of vit D is better absorbed/used by the body than the same amount spread out in 7 daily doses, but the medical community is not in total agreement on it yet. My midwife put me on a smaller daily dosage while I was pregnant, and it did bring my levels up pretty quickly and well (from 14 to 22 in 3ish months, but the second test was done mid-summer, so sun exposure probably helped too).

[AnnieW625]

My doctor is a DO so that's probably why she is on board with it. My level is 23 right now.

[jren]

I take 50,000 once a month, plus 2,000 IU daily. My levels are 50-55, so normal, but I have MS and my neuro is involved in some research on MS and Vit. D. I can tell near the end of the month when it's nearing time to take the 50,000 IU pill. I just start to feel drained and my symptoms act up. Then I remember that I'm due a pill.

I also used to get colds often. But since being on the extra D plus vit. C, I hardly ever get sick.

[val01]

Hello,
I was deficient at a level 13 a few years ago. I was put on a 50,000 IU Rx from my (now fired) doctor. My levels would never get above 25. I did some homework and realized that the Rx 50,000 is vitamin D2 and not D3. They are different - and the D2 is synthetic and doesn't have the bio-availability of D3. I switched over to a D3 OTC product and my levels are fine (upper normal range). The OTC version is about $6 for 60-90 days.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/index.aspx?o=1441

HTH,

Valerie

[lalasmama]

I'm on this almost continually through the winter months. I do 50k every Sunday, and 2k every day. When I was tested a few weeks ago, I was at a whopping 13, down from 16 in the middle of summer.

Like a PP, I have MS, and there's some studies showing that Vit D is good for MS.

As for benefits for me, I ache less. I am happier. I sleep better. I have more energy. My tremors act up less. I have better balance and coordination. Taking the Vit D takes care of my moods/anxiety enough that I no longer need to be on a med for depression.

I my Vit D high dose. I joke with the doctor that if I feel this good on it and am still low, I can't imagine how I'm going to feel when I'm finally up to a normal level!

[lablover]

I too have heard that it is better to take D3 instead of D2 so I decided not to take the prescription and instead took D3 in 5,000iu more frequently. Cost wasn't really a factor since it is cheap to buy OTC.

[brittone2]

That level of 1x a week dosing is pretty common in those who are diagnosed with a D deficiency.

I was deficient while taking 2000iu/day for a year or two and living in a fairly sunny climate (NC). I take 4000-6000 iu/day now of D3.