Am I Supplementing with too Much Vitamin D?

[testing765]

Hi. My Vitamin D levels were low at one point in time when it was tested after the colon resection. I began supplementing with 5,000 IU daily and that brought the vitamin D level up somewhat but did not get it close to the top of the suggested range. So, I started taking 10,000 IU daily and I recently got my Vitamin D test level results. They are-

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy, Serum
25OH, VITAMIN D 84.0 ng/mL 32.0-100.0 (healthy range)
VITAMIN D, 1, 25- DIHYDROXY, SERUM
VIT D1,25DIHYDROXY 87.2 High pg/mL 19.9-79.3 (healthy range)

It seems like the daily 10,000IU supplementation is increasing the D 1.25DIHYDROXY level excessively, bringing the level up to 87.2. The 10000IU daily Vitamin D supplementation has brought the 250H Vitamin D level up to 84. Do you think I should reduce the daily supplement amount to 5000IU of Vitamin D to help reduce the D1.25DIHYDROXY level even though it will probably lower the 250H Vitamin D level too? My oncologist is not a big fan of Vitamin D supplementation to begin with, so I am hesitant to address it with him. Thanks for the insight.

[sjring]

Honestly, I think you should discuss these results with your doctor and determine appropriate dosing with them.

[testing765]

I think I will bring the daily supplementation down to 5000 IU. Plus whatever I get from my normal diet, being outside, and the amount in my multivitamin supplement.

[radnyc]

I don't think you're over supplementing, but check with your doctor. Some studies have shown that Vit D levels are optimal between 75 and 90. I like to supplement more in the winter and then less in the summer, when I make sure I get plenty of sun light.

[elise]

I was taking about 5000iu daily when I had mine tested and it came back as 262nmol/L. My doc was NOT happy with it being in the toxic range. He asked I drop the amount I take by half. 76-250nmol/L is optimal.

Elise

[jdepp]

FWIW, 5000/ day works for me. I've been supplementing with 5000 / day for years - it keeps me in the normal range, usually a little into the top half.

[JDinNC]

I take 5,000 daily....

For close to 6 months, I thought I was taking 1,000 x4 ... But when the bottle was getting empty I soon realized that I was actually taking 10,000 x4. I guess I need to start taking my reading glasses to the store. Anyway, this large amount had no negative affect on me, my reading was 93. I have since dropped down to 5,000 per day.

[lpas]

I think I will bring the daily supplementation down to 5000 IU. Plus whatever I get from my normal diet, being outside, and the amount in my multivitamin supplement.

If I were you, I'd probably split the difference and go with 7,000-8,000 unless you get lots of natural sunlight.

[peanut_8]

Like laps suggested, it sounds like a good idea to aim for 7500 a day. One day you could take one, and the next day two.
Best Wishes, peanut

[plastikos]

I read somewhere that the suggested dose is 1000 IU per 25 lbs body weight. That being said I take 5000 IU per day.

[vilca11]

I think, the management of Vit D supplementation should be based on testing results, since everyone might have a different "speed" in raising it, while taking the same dose.... To bring mine to the 80-100 level, about 7 years ago, I was taking even 25k every day - 10k did not do it, I was below 30... Then, when I reached 80, I dropped it to 10k a day for maintenance. But since I take a really good one now (I buy everything only from LEF, and they have a new VitD with VitK formula now - which is VERY important for us, cancer patients - Vit K is so often overlooked!). So, when I tested in Oct this year, it was at 113 - too much, so I stopped until Dec. Tested in Dec, it was 64 after 2 mo not taking it - it drops really fast, as you see. Now I am taking 10k again, until I reach 80-100, and then will be continuing with 5k, because I already know that 10k is too much for maintenance for me. You just have to see your own body reactions, absorption level, etc and do testing every 2-3mo at least until you figure that out.... And please, buy the one with Vit K... and take Vit D always with your biggest meal...
Hugs, Vilca

[LeonW]

My oncologist is not a big fan of Vitamin D supplementation . . . .

I understand the urge to be pro-active the desire to actively participate in the battle. Me too fell victim to professor Google, when the brutal news came in until realizing that my docs, having spent years at university studying cancer, are way more qualified than me trying to come unto par from randomly found fragments of info. Whenever I can, I still bounce ideas and understanding learned here (=CClub) against their expertise . Must say that found a heck more calmness since.

Why would you experiment with Vit-D when your expert consultant doesn't support so?

[testing765]

The oncologist is ok with the use of vitamin D supplementation to raise the level of vitamin D to low normal, I think his concern is with the use of vitamin D supplementation to raise the level of vitamin D to the top level of the healthy range.

[LeonW]

Thanks for clarifying.
I would be quite happy to fall anyplace *within* range No need to go for first place. They are *range* for a reason.
My 2c contribution
L

[lpas]

He's probably uncomfortable because he just doesn't know much about the subject. As vilca stated on another thread, 99% of oncologists know next to NOTHING about vitamins and supplements. They simply aren't trained in this area. The good ones admit it. The bad ones just tell you to take nothing, all the while allowing you to believe their opinion is based upon something other than ignorance.

There is so much beyond the mainstream that has shown itself to be promising in this fight, but without big pharma financing, the money simply isn't there for clinical trials. And without a clinical trial, your conventional doctor will never recommend it.