thanks for the info mrsD. although i'm overwhelmed by too much lol. my dr noted my vitamin D level was low, so she put me on a pill (i think 2000 iu). i was puzzled because i am already taking multi vitamins that are 250% of rda. i took the pill for a month and my vitamin D levels are even lower. (think they said 20). i get some sunlight every day, mostly just short walks.

i was wondering if my laxative usage might be causing this, as i take miralax and docusate to combat my oxycodone induced digestive issues.

What was your level at the test?

The general rule of thumb is 1000IU for every 10ng needed to increase. This is not applicable to everyone, tho. Just a general guide. Some people need more, especially if they are overweight.

My doctor wants my target to be 70. I tested at 43 taking 5000 IU D3 daily except in summer. So I am now taking more.

But the new normal range is 50 ng at the lowest point. So I am close to that.

The RDA's on bottles do not reflect the new research and new medical recommendations. It will be many years before they change. Read the post above from the Cleveland Clinic...it explains why.

Vit D does not seem to be absorbed well when magnesium is low. So you want to make sure you are eating magnesium rich foods. Beans,lentils, nuts, etc.

Thanks for the reply
I have not picked up my RX yet, although, when my husband dropped it off the pharmacist told him, with my insurance, it would be around $70.00. I do not have that much faith in Docs when it comes to vitamins. Maybe I will try the D3 over the counter instead.
One other question, my intact PTH was high, 70.1 ref range 10 - 65 Do you think it's high because of the low D level? That is what the Doctor thought.

Seventy DOLLARS for a generic D?

You won't be able to return it....but do check it out.

The RX version is only D2, as D3 is not an RX.

But do look at it in the store... and then decline it and get your RX back.

Yes, some secondary hyperparathyroidism is due to LOW calcium intake or low absorption of calcium. Since Vit D enables calcium from food to absorbed, you can get low enough in the calcium that the body sends a message (parathyroid hormone) to rob your bones.

Once the D levels normalize the parathyroid should shut down. If it does not, that indicated perhaps a tumor or some other reason.

I made a mistake. The Rx Iron was 70.00 not the d. I did not take either. I went to the health food store and was they told me to take Life extension super k 2 x's a day and life extension Vitamin D3 5,000 1x everyday.

Dr Oz, had a info show on Vit D3 today , maybe a rerun as we get a morning show & evening show..
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/one-p...17=billboard_4

Looks like something I need to look into...for a variety of health reasons.

yah, can't constipation cause or affect low vitamin D?. I'm sure taking laxatives would influence it too. but i also think that may have some relation to it.

I feel like i may have pancreatitis as you just mentioned it mrsD. I often have trouble digesting after a high fat meal, and my lately have been a bit constipated. I had an ultrasound of organs in my stomach area, and it said that a gassy bowel, or gas was obstructing view of my pancreas.

Thanks for that. Dr. Oz's last show, never mentioned getting tested and recommended 1000IU.

Like most doctors, he is confusing. The D in mushrooms is D2, not D3.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_mushroom

So while he tells people to use D3... he then goes on to tell them to eat mushrooms! (he said earlier in the show---cannot get from food!)

Also Cod Liver oil, may work for some, but it is a fixed D amount and does not provide enough D for most people who need it. And there are some studies to show Vit A completes for the D in the body so it is best to take the D3 ALONE. Cod Liver oil is high in A (the retinol version).

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/newsl...d-cancer.shtml

So in essence at least now Dr. Oz is saying, get tested. But that does little when doctors then give D2 RX which does very little.

I wish he would stop with the theatrics and start giving more information during that audience particpation. At least this show was more tame than most of his performances!

The bottom line? Get tested, and supplement with D3 at 1000IU D3 per 10 points you need to raise.
So if one tests at 20, then take 3,000IU daily. D3 also requires cofactors to work, and Dr. Oz of course didn't mention those. The major one is magnesium. The others I have listed on this thread earlier.

There have been posters here on the various boards, with test results in the single digits! The lowest I've seen here is 3.

Thanks Jo for the update with Dr. Oz.

yah that dr. oz guy is a fast talker, he has good info sometimes. but his theatrics are really dumb and annoying, i guess u need stupid quirks to run a show like that? i really like "the doctors" much better. what is the other cofactor for vitamin D? potassium? i know fats don't need to be in the vitamin D for it to be absorbed well like you used to say. and vitamin D is needed for calcium to be absorbed(not the other way around?)

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/