What happens if I take too much?
Taking high doses of vitamin D for long periods of time could weaken your bones.
What is FSA advice?
Most people should be able to get the amount they need by eating a varied and balanced diet and by getting some sun. But if you decide to take vitamin D supplements it's a good idea not to take too much because this could be harmful.
Taking 25 micrograms (0.025 mg) or less of vitamin D supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm.
Vitamin B12 vs metformin - for ex "symptoms of B12 deficiency.... particularly those related to neuropathy (numbness, pain, or tingling in your hands or feet) ... be sure to let your physician know. He or she can check the level of vitamin B12 in your blood."
"I have now been taking Vitamin B12 for 24 days. In that time my insulin requirement has gone from 60-65 units to 15-20 daily. I still take Metformin and now take 2000mcg of B12.
My energy level has skyrocketed.It seems my mental cognition and memory have also improved.
Unfortunately many of the symptoms of B12 depletion mimic diabetes complications. I have been suffering from this depletion for at least 4 years and just learned to cope until I hit a wall and suffered many health consequences. It got so bad that in December I had decided to claim my disability insurance as I had no hope of maintaining a 40 hour work week.
Four days after taking Vitamin B12 I began to feel better. Within a week I felt “Good” for the first time in months. Lets get the word out about this! Too many people are suffering and the drug companies have done nothing to alert patients and physicians of consequences of metformin and glucophage for long term users."
Blood tests should be carried out according to local guidance, usually annual full blood count. There is no need to carry out routine B12 blood tests unless requested by GP if patient not responding to treatment.
Fleet explains that most people do not consume enough vitamin D foods for their daily requirements. Vitamin supplements can be used to fill any dietary shortfalls.
People over 9 years of age should not receive over 4,000 IUs daily, Fleet adds. This is higher than the previous 2,000 limit. Those taking more than the recommended limit should check with their doctor.
Fleet said:
"Several groups need to especially pay attention to their vitamin D levels. For example, people with dark skin or those who cover up can't make vitamin D in their skin. Also, we lose the ability to make vitamin D in the skin as we age. At the same time, older adults' bones are becoming weaker, especially for postmenopausal women, so it is critical that vitamin D is consumed adequately to preserve bone health."
Some believe that vitamin D has incredible benefits and the recommended amount should be even higher than the new recommendation. However, research does not yet mirror those beliefs, so there is more work to be done."
Vitamin D helps transport calcium and phosphorous through the digestive system - it is a cholecalciferol. Bone health does not only depend on adequate levels of calcium, but also phosphorous. Phosphorous is vital for cell strength and energy production.
Cautions when taking vitamin D supplements
•If you are taking certain other medicines: digoxin or thiazide diuretics such as bendroflumethiazide. In this situation, avoid high doses of vitamin D, and digoxin will need monitoring.
•If you have other medical conditions: kidney stones, some types of kidney disease, liver disease or hormone disease. Specialist advice may be needed.
•Vitamin D should not be taken by people who have high calcium levels or certain types of cancer.
•You may need more than the usual dose if taking certain medicines which interfere with vitamin D. These are: carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone and barbiturates.
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Vitamin D Upper Limit
If you absolutely avoid the sun, you should have your 25(OH)D level measured and remember that a maximum of 10,000 IU per day is the upper limit (UL) currently recommended by experts as the amount not to exceed unless under the care of a physician. When it comes to vitamin D, the right amount is good—a lot is not necessarily better and runs the risk of toxicity.
SUN SUPPLIES 10,000 UNITS OF VITAMIN D
The single most important fact anyone needs to know about vitamin D is how much nature supplies if we behave naturally, e.g., go into the sun. Humans make at least 10,000 units of vitamin D within 30 minutes of full body exposure to the sun, what is called a minimal erythemal dose. Vitamin D production in the skin occurs within minutes and is already maximized before your skin turns pink.
Abnormally high levels of vitamin D are indicated by blood levels exceeding 65 ng/ml or 162 nmol/l for extended periods of time and may be associated with chronic toxicity. Levels of 200-300 nmol/l or higher have been seen in several studies using supplementation and quickly resolve when supplementation is stopped. In such cases no long-term problems have been found. Long-term supplementation, without monitoring, may have serious consequences.
Dr. Vieth suggests that critical toxicity may occur at doses of 20,000 IU daily and that the Upper Limit (UL) of safety be set at 10,000 IU, rather than the current 2,000 IU. While this may or may not be the definitive marker for safety in healthy persons with no active liver or kidney disease, there is no clinical evidence that long-term supplementation needs to be greater than 4,000 IU for optimal daily maintenance. This level would be somewhat lower when combined with exposure to UV-B.3;76
If you are using supplements of vitamin D (natural or synthetic) or are light skinned and have had significant sun exposure in tropical or subtropical areas and haven't done so before, it is very important to test your blood levels of D.
Optimal values of 25(OH)D are 40-50 ng/ml
Acceptable values of 25(OH)D are 35-55 ng/ml
Levels above 55 ng/ml will be toxic for some individuals.
cugila said:It just goes to show that you sometimes need to do plenty of research about supplements before taking the plunge........don't just read all the hype.
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