Still undiagnosed after 2 years of symptoms.

[lyndacarol]

Doc will be prescribing me some supps, not sure what yet.
I live in the tropics, kind of surprising I have a vit D deficiency.

Be sure your doctor prescribes vitamin D3 rather than vitamin D2:

Vitamin D2 is much less effective than vitamin D3 in humans. (2004)
Laura A. G. Armas, Bruce W Hollis, and Robert P Heaney
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15531486
Full Text (5 pages): http://press.endocrine.org/doi/pdf/10.1210/jc.2004-0360

Abstract
Vitamins D(2) and D(3) are generally considered to be equivalent in humans. Nevertheless, physicians commonly report equivocal responses to seemingly large doses of the only high-dose calciferol (vitamin D(2)) available in the U.S. market. The relative potencies of vitamins D(2) and D(3) were evaluated by administering single doses of 50,000 IU of the respective calciferols to 20 healthy male volunteers, following the time course of serum vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) over a period of 28 d and measuring the area under the curve of the rise in 25OHD above baseline. The two calciferols produced similar rises in serum concentration of the administered vitamin, indicating equivalent absorption. Both produced similar initial rises in serum 25OHD over the first 3 d, but 25OHD continued to rise in the D(3)-treated subjects, peaking at 14 d, whereas serum 25OHD fell rapidly in the D(2)-treated subjects and was not different from baseline at 14 d. Area under the curve (AUC) to d 28 was 60.2 ng.d/ml (150.5 nmol.d/liter) for vitamin D(2) and 204.7 (511.8) for vitamin D(3) (P < 0.002). Calculated AUC(infinity) indicated an even greater differential, with the relative potencies for D(3):D(2) being 9.5:1. Vitamin D(2) potency is less than one third that of vitamin D(3). Physicians resorting to use of vitamin D(2) should be aware of its markedly lower potency and shorter duration of action relative to vitamin D(3).


Vitamin D3 Is More Potent than Vitamin D2 in Humans (2010)
JCEM (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism)
http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/jc.2010-2230
"Conclusion:D3 is approximately 87% more potent in raising and maintaining serum 25(OH)D concentrations and produces 2- to 3-fold greater storage of vitamin D than does equimolar D2. For neither was there evidence of sequestration in fat, as had been postulated for doses in this range. Given its greater potency and lower cost, D3 should be the preferred treatment option when correcting vitamin D deficiency."

The case against ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) as a vitamin supplement (2006)
Lisa Houghton and Reinhold Vieth
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/84/4/694.full

[jimmylegs]

if your doc prescribes only d3 when you have pre-existing symptoms consistent with low mag status, i would be surprised if your mag deficit symptoms did not get even worse treated with d3 alone. oral d3 sucks more magnesium out of your system. pretty annoying constantly having to make and underscore this point.

[hyien]

he gave me d1, to be taken once a week for a month.
followed by d2 for another week/month.

Doc will be prescribing me some supps, not sure what yet.
I live in the tropics, kind of surprising I have a vit D deficiency.

Be sure your doctor prescribes vitamin D3 rather than vitamin D2:

Vitamin D2 is much less effective than vitamin D3 in humans. (2004)
Laura A. G. Armas, Bruce W Hollis, and Robert P Heaney
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15531486
Full Text (5 pages): http://press.endocrine.org/doi/pdf/10.1210/jc.2004-0360

Abstract
Vitamins D(2) and D(3) are generally considered to be equivalent in humans. Nevertheless, physicians commonly report equivocal responses to seemingly large doses of the only high-dose calciferol (vitamin D(2)) available in the U.S. market. The relative potencies of vitamins D(2) and D(3) were evaluated by administering single doses of 50,000 IU of the respective calciferols to 20 healthy male volunteers, following the time course of serum vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) over a period of 28 d and measuring the area under the curve of the rise in 25OHD above baseline. The two calciferols produced similar rises in serum concentration of the administered vitamin, indicating equivalent absorption. Both produced similar initial rises in serum 25OHD over the first 3 d, but 25OHD continued to rise in the D(3)-treated subjects, peaking at 14 d, whereas serum 25OHD fell rapidly in the D(2)-treated subjects and was not different from baseline at 14 d. Area under the curve (AUC) to d 28 was 60.2 ng.d/ml (150.5 nmol.d/liter) for vitamin D(2) and 204.7 (511.8) for vitamin D(3) (P < 0.002). Calculated AUC(infinity) indicated an even greater differential, with the relative potencies for D(3):D(2) being 9.5:1. Vitamin D(2) potency is less than one third that of vitamin D(3). Physicians resorting to use of vitamin D(2) should be aware of its markedly lower potency and shorter duration of action relative to vitamin D(3).


Vitamin D3 Is More Potent than Vitamin D2 in Humans (2010)
JCEM (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism)
http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/jc.2010-2230
"Conclusion:D3 is approximately 87% more potent in raising and maintaining serum 25(OH)D concentrations and produces 2- to 3-fold greater storage of vitamin D than does equimolar D2. For neither was there evidence of sequestration in fat, as had been postulated for doses in this range. Given its greater potency and lower cost, D3 should be the preferred treatment option when correcting vitamin D deficiency."

The case against ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) as a vitamin supplement (2006)
Lisa Houghton and Reinhold Vieth
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/84/4/694.full

[hyien]

Was specifically prescribed Ergocalciferol 50000IU to be taken once a week for 2 months,
followed by Colecalciferol 1000IU twice daily for a month.

[NHE]

Was specifically prescribed Ergocalciferol 50000IU to be taken once a week for 2 months,
followed by Colecalciferol 1000IU twice daily for a month.

Ergocalciferol = D2

Cholecalciferol = D3

Please see the following post regarding D2 vs. D3.

http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... ml#p245838

[lyndacarol]

Was specifically prescribed Ergocalciferol 50000IU to be taken once a week for 2 months,
followed by Colecalciferol 1000IU twice daily for a month.

In view of the following, please discuss the scheduling and amount of your supplementation:

Chart showing intake level necessary for change in serum level:
http://grassrootshealth.net/media/image ... single.pdf


From GrassrootsHealth:
Immune function needs a regular supply of vitamin D, bone function does not.

Frequent questions:
Is the dose big enough to create a significant change in status?
• Doses less than 2000 IU/day may not be enough to produce a change in status.

Are results reported by vitamin D levels, instead of or in addition to dosage groups?
• As everyone responds to supplementation differently, it is important to report by end result of 25(OH)D.

Are other co-nutrients maximized?
• For vitamin D to be most effective, other nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K need to be available.


February 23, 2017 newsletter:
"New concepts about how the body utilizes vitamin D beyond bone health (such as for immune function, gene regulation, and pregnancy/breastfeeding) have shed light on the importance of obtaining a daily dose of vitamin D3, versus doses at weekly, monthly, or longer intervals.

Vitamin D3 is a relatively short-lived compound in the body with a half-life of less than 24 hours. With such a short half-life, dosing intervals of a week or greater can lead to depletion of vitamin D3 in the blood altogether.

The chart below illustrates the effect of two different dosing intervals on the amount of vitamin D3 in the blood. Daily dosing results in a fairly steady level of serum D3 with little fluctuation and risk for depletion, whereas weekly dosing (taking a single dose at 7 times the daily dose, once per week) causes a spike in vitamin D3 level, which then quickly drops and leaves the blood vitamin D3 depleted."

EFFECT OF DOSING INTERVAL ON VITAMIN D3 SERUM LEVELS chart
http://grassrootshealth.net/media/downl ... ervals.pdf