My Doctor's Clueless about Vitamin D

by Terri
(Tennessee)

I'm hoping you can guide me in the right direction. My doctor seems to be afraid to give me much vitamin D. I have been struggling with a deficiency for nearly two years, with still no resolution. In the beginning, my Vitamin D level was 16 and my doctor started me on 400 IU daily of D3 (see my problem, here?).

Now, I'm up to 5000 IU daily. Now, the highest my levels have ever risen is 50, which was between the months of July and October, when I was sitting in the sun for 15 minutes each day. When the levels were last checked in October, they had fallen to 49. Past experience tells me that they are headed in the wrong direction. My doctor told me to stay on 4000 IU daily, but I took it upon myself to increase to 5000 IU.

Now, I am beginning to feel the symptoms of the deficiency once again. There is pain in my joints, severe hot flashes, constipation and anxiety, not to mention that my blood pressure is rising despite taking my medications. I am due to have levels checked again mid February.

Okay, having said all that, what do you suggest I do?