Sunlight and Vitamin D

Hello

I've posted before with the same question, but after spending days searching through older posts, I am still confused about how much of a megadose I need to take.

A blood test showed I had an initial reading of 27.9nmol Vit D level, and I have since taken a doctor prescribed 3 x 20 000 capsules over six weeks. After reading the OMS guidelines, I know this is not enough. I have since ordered some 50 000 IU from Amazon, but I am unsure how many I should take of these - 150 000 (3 x 50 000)? 300 000 (6 x 50 000)? or 500 000 (10 x 50 000)? ... I have also ordered some 10 000 capsules and intend on taking these daily after the megadose as I live in the UK and am starved of the sun.

Also, I've been reading about Vitamin K2 and magnesium supplements on the forums and have been trying to find out if these need to be taken, and if so, what strength.

Sorry for asking yet another question about this subject but I just want to get it right. Thank you.

Quick answer you do not need k2 or magnesium supplements.

Agree with veg on Vit k2 and Magnesium.

Here are my Vit D test results and the doses that I took to get my levels up over a 2 year period,

19/11/12 Blood 66 nmol/L
22/11/12 17,000 IU
23/11/12 150,000 IU and 8000 IU a day.
28/11/12 Blood 74.5 nmol/L
3/12/12 200,000 IU and 10,000 IU a day
7/12/12 150,000 IU and 10,000 IU a day
17/12/12 Blood 164.5 nmol/L, stayed on 10,000 IU a day
05/02/13 Blood 106.0 nmol/L
14/02/13 150,000 IU and 15,000 IU a day
17/02/13 50,000 IU and 15,000 IU a day
18/02/13 50,000 IU and 15,000 IU a day
25/02/13 Blood 110.5 nmol/L
02/03/13 165,000 IU
03/03/13 165,000 IU
04/03/13 100,000 IU and 20,000 IU a day
11/03/13 Blood 250.7 nmol/L, dropped to 15,000 IU a day.
02/04/13 Sent blood serum for test, results, serum 280 nmol/L and they did a spot test at the
same time for comparison, results 308.7 nmol/L. The lab explained that, although my
levels were previously dropping on a dose of 10,000 IU a day, it was probably being used
up as my body was depleted. Now, my fat stores are saturated, 10,000 IU may be
sufficient.
Changed to 10,000 IU a day.
06/06/13 Blood 136.7 nmol/L. took 100,000 IU and changed to 10,000 IU a day and 30,000 IU on
Saturdays.
18/09/13 Blood 197.9 nmol/L, seems 10,000 IU and 30,000 IU every Saturday is about right for me
over the summer time, have changed to 40,000IU on Saturdays for the winter and check
again in spring.
24/02/14 Blood 260.7 nmol/L, Changed to 20,000 IU on Saturdays and 10,000 IU a day.
01/10/14 Blood 185 nmol/L, Changed to 30,000 IU on Saturdays and 10,000 IU a day, through winter
as 40,000 IU was a little too much last winter.
01/01/15 Decided to up Saturdays dose to 40,000 IU as I would rather be a bit High than low.
01/06/15 Blood 210 nmol/L, changed to 30,000 IU on Saturdays and 10,000 IU a day for summer.
24/05/16 Blood 354 nmol/L, Changed to 20,000 IU on Saturdays and 10,000 IU a day.
Missing results - was on 30,000 IU on Saturdays and 10,000 IU a day
24/05/17 Blood 281 nmol/L, changed to 20,000 IU on Saturdays and 10,000 IU a Day.
12/01/18 Blood 211 nmol/L, Still on 20,000 IU on Saturdays and 10,000 IU a Day.


I still take 10,000 a day and 30,000 on Saturdays and test twice a year, sometimes it comes back a little high and I adjust the Saturday dose as required.
Everyone seems to react differently to Vit D doses so it is a bit of trial and error at first. As you can see it took me around two years to sort my levels out, others may have done it quicker.
For me, with your readings I would try 350,000 to 400,000 iu plus 10,000 a day and check in a couple of weeks. If levels are still low take another dose to bring it into the optimal range. when your levels are good, test again in a few months to see if the 10,000 iu a day is too much or to little.

Hope this helps.

BG

Thank you both for your replies.

BG, I'm shocked by the amount of adjusting it took to settle your levels to the amount you wanted. I'm guessing you used the online service for testing, something I realised I'd probably have to use too. The list of your progress is really helpful and now I have a much better understanding of how it works. Thank you so much.

I,m glad it was useful.

Just added a few more readings for the last few years.

It took me longer than I thought it would, but I suppose there are so many variables.
I think the lesson here is that there is no right amount to megadose with, and any high dose will push you in the right direction, you just need to test on a regular basis at first (yes, I did use the online service) until you find the sweet spot.
Maybe if I had gone with Georges suggestion of 500,000 iu, I would of reached my levels quicker, but in the beginning I think we are all a bit nervious of the megadose.

Again, I hope this helps you and anyone else with the same questions.

BG

I get my level tested every 6 months at local gp surgery.

BG, it was definitely a big help, thank you. I think I'll be brave and go for the 500 000 iu mark and then ask the gp for a re-test, seeing how they've got me down as being deficient. Of course they won't know about my megadose so it will be interesting to find out my levels - a bit more than their recommended 75 nmol with any luck.

Re Vit K2 and magnesium
Do your own homework on these across a RANGE of reputable sites - don't rely on just a forum or two for you info. There is actually sound scientific evidence and studies in relation to the metabolisation pathways of Vit D3 and calcium and the contribution that other substances such as K2, magnesium and some other things make to ensuring that with higher levels of Vit D3 the calcium in your body gets sent to bones and teeth and does not just remain circulating in your bloodstream - high calcium levels in blood contribute to cardio-vascular risk and this is why mainstream doctors get so concerned about high levels of Vit D3 supplementation. It's probably also worth your while to do some research on how much of a bolus dose of Vit D3 (i.e. megadose) of Vit D3 gets excreted from your body. Sometimes it is better to do regular higher doses over time to achieve a satisfactory level, instead of megadosing where quite a percentage of the dose just doesn't get utilised but is excreted. Having said that - a megadose is appropriate where Vit D levels are seriously low and urgent intervention is legitimately required.