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The work of Dr. Georgianna Donadio DC, MSc, PhD has touched the lives of millions of people worldwide. For more than 35 years, she has been educating the healthcare community, as well as her patients, students and the public…
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How Much Vitamin D Should You Be Taking?
A recent report from the Institutes of Medicine (IOM) on the role of and the recommended dosage of vitamin D has come into controversy. The IOM last reported on vitamin D back in 1997, when it made the recommendation of a 200 IUs of vitamin D per day. In spite of its current 300% increase dose recommendation, several health experts are taking exception with these new recommendations. One of these experts is Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, of the Harvard School of Public Health.
Dr. Willett says that it is time to raise the recommended levels of vitamin D, and there is ample evidence to do so. Dr. Willett's research group at the Harvard School of Public health created a study on vitamin D and health outcomes. Blood samples were taken from 30,000 healthy women to identify their level of vitamin D. The study then followed these women for decades to see which of the group might develop cancer.
The team found that the subjects with the lowest levels of vitamin D had two times the increased risk of colon cancer compared to the subjects who had the highest levels of vitamin D. While this study did not prove vitamin D protects against cancer, other animal studies demonstrated that vitamin D reduced the rate of how quickly cells multiply. The main characteristic of carcinoma, or cancer, is rapid rate of cell division and cell growth.
Vitamin D has proven to be important in osteoporosis studies, muscle and bone studies and cancer prevention. There seems to be little question to whether or not this essential vitamin is something we should be mindful of getting enough of. The question is just how much the correct amount is for each individual.
In my practice I recommend a simple blood test to measure the level of vitamin D. The ideal measure is between 20 and 29 ng/ml, which has been found to be the measure of vitamin D in women who demonstrate the lowest level of bone fragility.
It behooves all physicians to not only measure their patient’s calcium levels but also to include a baseline for vitamin D as well. As vitamin D is essential for the utilization of calcium, this makes good sense. It is a preventative approach to care and an effective way to determine an individual’s need for vitamin D.
Simply by taking a specific dose of Vitamin D for 8 weeks and then re-testing to see if that dose is effective to reach the 20 to 29 ng/ml level is a low-cost and accurate way to establish appropriate vitamin D supplementation for each unique patient. The key to correct vitamin D supplementation lies in taking the dose that is right for you. Osteoporosis clinics determine supplementation recommendations with blood sample analysis to establish the right dosage each patient. Ask your doctor about this simple test and how you can identify the best vitamin D dose for you.
- Dr. Georgianna Donadio
Dr. Willett says that it is time to raise the recommended levels of vitamin D, and there is ample evidence to do so. Dr. Willett's research group at the Harvard School of Public health created a study on vitamin D and health outcomes. Blood samples were taken from 30,000 healthy women to identify their level of vitamin D. The study then followed these women for decades to see which of the group might develop cancer.
The team found that the subjects with the lowest levels of vitamin D had two times the increased risk of colon cancer compared to the subjects who had the highest levels of vitamin D. While this study did not prove vitamin D protects against cancer, other animal studies demonstrated that vitamin D reduced the rate of how quickly cells multiply. The main characteristic of carcinoma, or cancer, is rapid rate of cell division and cell growth.
Vitamin D has proven to be important in osteoporosis studies, muscle and bone studies and cancer prevention. There seems to be little question to whether or not this essential vitamin is something we should be mindful of getting enough of. The question is just how much the correct amount is for each individual.
In my practice I recommend a simple blood test to measure the level of vitamin D. The ideal measure is between 20 and 29 ng/ml, which has been found to be the measure of vitamin D in women who demonstrate the lowest level of bone fragility.
It behooves all physicians to not only measure their patient’s calcium levels but also to include a baseline for vitamin D as well. As vitamin D is essential for the utilization of calcium, this makes good sense. It is a preventative approach to care and an effective way to determine an individual’s need for vitamin D.
Simply by taking a specific dose of Vitamin D for 8 weeks and then re-testing to see if that dose is effective to reach the 20 to 29 ng/ml level is a low-cost and accurate way to establish appropriate vitamin D supplementation for each unique patient. The key to correct vitamin D supplementation lies in taking the dose that is right for you. Osteoporosis clinics determine supplementation recommendations with blood sample analysis to establish the right dosage each patient. Ask your doctor about this simple test and how you can identify the best vitamin D dose for you.
- Dr. Georgianna Donadio
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I would suggest caution as there is something called hypervitaminosis D. Can cause nausea and vomiting, fatigue. Upper normal limit is 10,000 IU per day. Toxic doses =600,000 IU per day.
By EasyM Mar 03, 2011
5
I have MS and upped my own vitamin D to 400-800 IU capsules per day. It doesn't seem to hurt. Should I have any concerns at this dosage?
By Pliny Dec 21, 2010
4
Part 2: Instead, I recommend 4000-5000 IU for deficient patients and 2000 IU per day for patients in the correct range. I myself had a level of only 11 ng / mL after spending a month in sunny Southern FL, the Keys and Everglades. I am a Chicago resident. During my deficiency I fractured my tibia (lower leg bone), felt freezing cold ALL the time--- including in Egypt where it was 100-110 deg F everyday. I had unexplained weight gain despite no change in diet and exercise. (I have always been stick thin and I got chubby.) I had intense widespread pain and muscle spasms misdiagnosed as "fibromyalgia." I had other metabolic issues as well. After taking 4000 IU vit D per day for 60 days, my levels were 68 ng / mL and I felt markedly better. I had less pain and muscle spasms. I was no longer cold. I lost 15 of the 20 lb gained with no effort.
By ChronicIL Dec 15, 2010
3
Part 1: 20-29 ng / mL of vit D is NOT only NOT ideal, but it is deficient! 10 ng / mL is often the detection cut-off, the lowest level of vit D that can be detected in most labs. My rheumatologist recommends 50-100 ng / mL of vit D as an ideal. Wellness Inc recommends 30-100 ng / mL as being "normal". 150 ng / mL is widely considered too much, but it is very hard to reach that level unless one is on these mega-doses 40,000-50,000 IU. Some don't realize that the mega-doses are meant to be taken weekly, not daily!
By ChronicIL Dec 15, 2010
2
My vitamin D was low so my doctor put me on 1,000 units of Vit D per day but looking at my complete blood test results I see my blood calcium is rather high. Isn't a low vitamin D a normal reaction to high calcium? High calcium is a surprise to me since I do have osteoporosis.
By gardenator Dec 15, 2010
1
As a MS patient they recommend like 10k to 15 k per day for me, Sunlight will give you some D. Research blue lighting as apposed to the standard yellow/daylight in your home as a way of supplementing the longer light wavelengths inside your home.
By Audog Dec 14, 2010
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