Laura, I'm really not so concerned when a person's vitamin D (liver function, etc.) are being evaluated on a regular basis, AND if their doctor KNOWS what they are doing. However, vitamin D is available over the counter just about anywhere . . . and there are people running around the net recommending anywhere from 5,000 IU and 50,000 IU per day (in fact saying people are "iidiots" not to take that level ), yet not recommending that people be tested or monitored at that level. That scares me.

A funny story . . .

On one forum I have been going to for years, there have been two particular posters who have implied and argued that the cause of MS is vitamin D deficiency, and that all the information that is currently out there about "vitamin D toxity" and "vitamin D overdose" is inaccurate or over-stated. This discussion has become very heated at times, as you can well imagine . . .

A few months ago, one of them finally admitted that he tried to go on (I think) 1,000 IU, after arguing with his doc that 400 IU would be insufficient for a PwMS, "according to new research". His doc finally gave in.

His doc monitored his liver while he went up and down in dosage a few times, to test the results of that level of supplement. Every time he went back up to 1,000 IU, his liver numbers went out of whack.

Eventually they came to realize that 1,000 IU, through supplementation, was TOO much for HIM . . . yet he had no problem increasing his levels through sunshine and diet alone. To be honest, I was surprised he admitted that on the forum, after all his arguing about this over the years.

Anyway, I don't do dairy and haven't done in years. I can't recall if it is a protein or calcium that causes me so much problem, but I was taken off all dairy about 25 yrs ago (I cheat a little, but pay for it).

My only point is ... if a person wants to take more then the recommended daily requirement, please get your levels checked when you start, and continue to be monitored. It's not like we will grow a third arm by taking too much, but how else would a person know (with all the other weird stuff that goes on in our bodies and from the drugs we take) that we are causing ourselves harm if we are not monitored?

And, while I might agree that most people can handle much more then 400 IU, not everyone can that's for sure!

As far as it's "steroid" effect, some argue that's a good thing for PwMS.

Look up reputable sources of information on the net about "Vit D Toxicity" and "Vit D overdose" if you want more info on that . . .

Cherie