My Vitamin D level came back 16.

My doctor thought I might have a vitamin D deficiency based on my depression, tiredness and chronic hip pain so he ordered a vitamin D test. It came back as 16 which he says is low. He prescribed 50,000 IU daily for 8 weeks then wants to check my blood again.


Does this sound right to you?



Answer:


Yes, if you were to read the page on Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment page, you'll see that that is very much the 'standard of care' and is ALSO what researchers do and recommend, so it's perfect. The ONLY thing that I would change about that is that it is NOT recommended to take prescription Vitamin D.

Read my article on Think Twice Before you Take that Prescription Vitamin D and consider taking Vitamin D3 Supplements instead at the same dosage- or even up to 10,000 IU's per day for the 8 weeks until you get your level.

That would be safe and effective as well.

Comments for My Vitamin D level came back 16.

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Clarification on Treatment for Vit D Deficiency
by: Allison

My Vitamin D level came back 16.

I think there is an error. The person said the doctor prescribed 50,000 iu daily for 8 weeks. In your answer you say "or even up to 10,000 iu's per day."

Did you think the person said 5,000 iu daily, when they actually said 50,000? My level is 15.3 and I'm going to go buy some Vitamin D3, but I'm not sure how much to take because my doctor gave me a prescription D2 which I am no longer going to take. On your website it says (under So what Vitamin D Dosage WOULD protect your health?) "and a dose of 5,000 IU for those below that (meaning below 25)." Later it says Dr. Joseph Pizzorno suggests 10,000 iu for 3 months and maintenance of 5,000 ius is not enough . . . "

I assume that is 10,000 iu's PER DAY for 3 months, right?


I would appreciate your clarification and suggestion.


You caught it...
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

Hi Allison,

Hah! You caught it. I actually thought that the person was prescribed 50,000 Iu's per WEEK for 8 weeks, which wasn't likely going to be enough.

But you alerted me to the fact that she actually said 50,000 IU's a DAY for 8 weeks, which is probably not necessary as that works out to be almost 3 MILLION IU's over 8 weeks!! Yipes, seems a bit excessive!

So, the confusion that you are seeing is the difference on the pages for daily Vitamin D Requirements for MAINTENANCE vs Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment and the fact that I personally can't make dosage recommendations, I can only tell you what the 'experts' recommend.

And I mentioned Dr. Pizzorno's findings to let people know how high dosages generally need to be and why they need a level- most people fear overdosing, but unless your doctor is prescribing 50,000 IU's a DAY, you are MORE likely to not take ENOUGH without getting a level before and about 3 months into your treatment.

If you take a look at my Vitamin D Therapy page, everything will be likely to make more sense.

So, unfortunately, without you being personally in my care, I can only refer you to the Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment page and have you follow the directions there.

I can ALSO tell you that there has NEVER been a recorder overdose of vitamin d on dosages of 10,000 IU's a day or less!!

Sorry that this is a bit confusing, I hope that that clarified things at least a BIT...


Oh!! And PLEASE be sure to take a look at my page on Vitamin D Side Effects so that you know, in advance, what you can do to avoid the most common side effects BEFORE they effect you!!


Kerri Knox RN Immune Health Queen

Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune System Queen
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Immune System

 


PS: If you found this website helpful, please consider using the
Easy Immune Health Product Store the next time you purchase your supplements online. Thank you for visiting my site!

my vitamin d lvl is 15
by: suzie

the doctor did not give me a prescription or told me what vitamin supplements to take all he told me is to go buy some and also some iron pills and within 3 months i have to be tested again can you please tell me what vitamin pills im suppose to take if my level is 15
Please read the thread
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

Please read the thread that you just commented on. I just answered the exact same question for the previous person.


Kerri Knox, RN
Low d can also be...
by: Jeanette

If you have low vit d, you need to also check your blood calcium levels to make duer they are normal for your age group, it can be a sign of hyperparathyroidism, which I have. Most docs never test the calcium and it needs to be included is any physical testing. Hopefully you wont have it and mine was found accidently from a er visit, it need to be made part of the cbc testing for everyone.

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