11 replies to this topic

[Matt]

It was the first time that I had ever got my 25(OH)D levels tested, and within a couple days had my doctor calling me saying the lab flagged it and he/they'd never seen levels so high before! 

 

About two months ago I was taking around 50,000 IU a week or perhaps just over after many months of not taking anything. I figured I might've been low because I work from home and barely saw any sun this year. After about 3 weeks I decreased it to around 5000 a day for most days, and but sometimes took 10,000 IU . During the 2nd month I decreased to a maintenance dose of just 1000 IU, but took it inconsistently.

 

I'm really surprised at that result...  no hypercalcemia though. No symptoms related to toxicity, so I had no idea.

 

What's up with that result though? Surely I should have needed much higher doses to reach that level? 

Anyone who is more familiar with vitamin D please comment. Thanks!

[Dolph]

Yeah, this a surprising result indeed. And a bit concerning.

It would be interesting to know which brand of supplement you used, as the most probable explanation is a massive quality "glitch" with a dose per capsule much too high. A problem that is said to have occured several times with several brands. I doubt that "real" 5000-10.000 UIs can explain that kind of result.

[Matt]

I've looked some talks and looked at dosages vs levels of 25(OH)D and for almost everyone, much higher doses are required to reach these kinds of levels, it seems. The brand I was taking was NOW Foods Vitamin D3 5,000 IU Softgels. 

 

I've stopped taking them now, and will probably test in a few months time and then go on 1000 IU.  I was wondering if there could be another reason? Genetic or something related to absorption, conversion or breakdown? 

confusing!

[niner]

You might try repeating the test now, in case it was just a mistake at the lab.   Since you're a long-time CR practitioner, you're pretty unique compared to the typical population.  Maybe you have an altered microbiome, or who knows what.  There's a fair amount of variation in people's response to oral D3, so it's a good idea to let your level of supplementation be guided by testing. 

[Darryl]

IIRC, you're a slender person practicing CR. That dramatically reduces the amount of D3 that disappears into fatty tissue.

IIRC, you're a slender person practicing CR. That dramatically reduces the amount of D3 that disappears into fatty tissue.

[Dolph]

IIRC, you're a slender person practicing CR. That dramatically reduces the amount of D3 that disappears into fatty tissue.

IIRC, you're a slender person practicing CR. That dramatically reduces the amount of D3 that disappears into fatty tissue.

 

Still doesn't explain that kind of result at all. Remember that the dose response curve flattens at the higher end of the curve. 

[Matt]

I talked to the doctor over the phone and I am pretty sure he said 504 nmol/L. I repeated it back to him....

So anyway... I got all my results printed out and have them here. The result is actually 304 nmol/L, which is about 121 ng/ml

 

Still high... but a little relieved  

[BioFreak]

You'd better start taking vitamin K2 in the hopes that it will keep the vitamin d from incorporating calcium into your organs and push it into the bones instead.

 

This is what can happen:

http://www.ergo-log....-vitamin-d.html

 

And I'd be watching my calcium intake until blood levels are lower, if I were you.

 

[OneScrewLoose]

You need to stop taking D3 altogether right now. That's a dangerous level of D3 that can severely effect your bones. Meanwhile going a month or two without supplementation won't hurt you. I would go six weeks without supplementation and get tested again. This will allow you to see your baseline. If that isn't adequate, since you seem to absorb quite a bit, supplement 1000IU and get tested, increasing 1000IU at a time until you reach about 50-60 ng/dL. Also, in your case, I would definitely take K2.

 

PLEASE STOP SUPPLEMENTATION RIGHT NOW. DO NOT SIMPLY LOWER YOUR INTAKE!

[Matt]

Oh, I have quit D3 supplements for now and plan to get tested after a couple months. I'm glad now that I had missed out on supplements for months at a time during the year and never supplemented consistently. I don't know if you read above, but my level was around 120 ng/dl, not 200 ng/dl.  That is definitely still high, but I'm not aware of any serious toxicity at this level?  Nevertheless, you're absolutely right, way too high...  

Already supplements K2. Thank you

It really goes to show the importance of test though huh? I went by oral vitamin D and 25(OH)D level studies. 

[OneScrewLoose]

Aww, I missed that. You're definitely alright for now, as toxicity begins at 150 ng/ml. 200 would be very dangerous. However, 120 over a very long term could theoretically weaken your bones due to calcium depletion, but that's just my extrapolation.

Sorry for being alarmist. Nonetheless, a reset is a good idea. I can't believe you got that high from 5000IU. Are you outdoors all day? I thought me getting to 80 from 5000 was a lot.

[PeaceAndProsperity]

How do you feel? Do you feel that testosterone, etc. has increased? Do you feel in a better mood?