Very low Vitamin B & D
 

I just got my blood work back, the doctor told me to take over the counter vitamins of the two because mine were on the very low side of normal.

I take both the Vitamin B 3x's a day and the Vitamin D once daily.

Why are my levels so freaking low...So what now?

Can you be more specific?

What B? B12? What exactly are you taking? And why 3 times a day? How much D do you take, and what type. What was your test levels for both?

It is not simple like picking up something or anything at the store.
You have to take B12 in high doses, and on an empty stomach for best absorption. It should be the activated form methylcobalamin (and not cyanocobalamin).

Vitamin D3 1000 iu and B complex 1 x's a day and b12 x's 3...I was told B vitamins are good to take, and your body immediately evacuates it and that I could take it 3 x's a day.

My b12 level was 400 and my Vita D was 31.4 Norm for B12 211-946 Vitamin D 30.0 -100.0

When my doctor told me I was low on D3, she gave me 16 weeks of 50,000mgs.

Your B12 is marginal. Not really low but it would be best to be higher since you have neurological symptoms. 400pg/ml is the new low. The lab range you quote, is outdated ...anything below 400pg/ml should be supplemented.

1000mcg of activated methylcobalamin once a day on an empty stomach is enough for you since you are not below 400. You can take more, but avoid food ...because it won't get absorbed.

The D3 OTC rule is 1000IU of D3 for every 10 pts to raise.
A good goal is 50....so you would need 2000IU a day.

It takes a while to get levels up. Retest in 3 months, and see where you are. (don't take the B12 for about a week before testing to get a good idea of where you are without a supplement).

Some people cannot activate the synthetic Cyanocobalamin used as B12 ....so get the methyl form for best results.

That RX form has been shown to not work in humans. It is ergocalciferol. The form that should be used is D3....which is cholecalciferol.

If your D was on an RX it is D2, and really not a good idea and won't raise you much if at all.

This is explained on the D thread here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread92116.html

There are some OTC D3's in high dose. But they are not common in stores and do not require an RX, but are usually online.

maybe I was wrong. could it really have been 50000 weekly? don't have bottle anymore.

If you got it on RX from a prescription written out by the doctor.....it is D2.

Here is a link explaining the difference:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/237943.php

If you only used that, and it was D2, you are probably still very low because you don't go outside. Low D levels are implicated in chronic pain states.

It's reassuring that your doctor considers 400 low for B-12. Many would just say you are fine. Mine likes me to be at about 1000.

I'm not seeing that doctor anymore and am taking 2000 D3 daily. What should I do. I guess you guys would need a current number to answer that.