How much vitamin D should I take?

Recommended Vitamin D dosage for summer and winter

Your vitamin D level should be above 150nmol/L (60ng/mL in the USA).

For those with low levels on first testing, a vitamin D megadose is recommended. 

You can take vitamin D through tablets or capsules, or some people choose to use an oral spray. 

Summer months / warmer climates

• If you get enough vitamin D from the sun (for example in the summer months or in a warm climate) you won’t need to take a supplement. More about UV and sunlight

Vitamin D dosage recommended levels for those who get less sun

• 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily in winter
• 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily in summer

The most you can take without risk of serious side effects is 10,000 IU per day.

Vitamin D dosage advice for families of those with MS

• 5,000 IU a day in winter for family members of people with MS
• We suggest 5,000 IU as the maximum dosage 
• Children will need proportionally smaller doses
• We also advise taking vitamin D3 supplements during pregnancy 

The different types of vitamin D

There are two types of vitamin D –  D2 and D3. 

Clinical trials have shown that only vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is helpful against MS or other conditions that can be helped by vitamin D. This is the form made by the body in response to sunlight. 

Researchers have concluded that vitamin D3’s immunomodulatory potency is equivalent to other currently used immunosuppressants against MS – yet without their side effects, which can be severe.

If taking vitamin D as a supplement, it should be taken in the form of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).