If you go to vitamindcouncil.org you can read a lecture prepared by Dr. Shippen, an endocrinologist, who thinks high doses of Vitamin D (as high as 10,000 IUs) may help those with chronic lyme disease...
Of course, he recognizes that you may have to workup to these levels...I know I had to start at lower doses and work my way up...(nothing, aside from the abx I took years ago, has helped me as much as higher doses of vitamin d)....
From the vitamin d council's site:
13 October 2010
Eugene Shippen, Doctor of Endocrinology, gave an excellent lecture on vitamin D and immunity in relation to Lyme Disease at a recent Lyme Disease Association Conference. The presentation was sponsored by Columbia University and is CME approved.
Dr. Shippen has kindly provided Vitamin D Council with a copy of his presentation so that we may share it with our readers (PDF format):
Vitamin D, Regulatory Hormone of Immunity and Inflammation � Implications in Chronic Infectious Diseases
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Does he say how high to have your levels? What I mean is, do you only take that dosage until you test at a certain level?
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
Thanks, Lou! Six, he doesn't say that in the literature that I could find on-line....
I'm starting to think, though, based on some things I've read lately that the "normal" range for people with certain autoimmune illnesses or immune dysregulation or inflammation may need to be higher to get relief from inflammatory cytokines...
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
My doc thinks it needs to be at a minimum of 80; in the 100's is better. I will find out in 3 weeks if mine is in the 100's. Pretty sure it is.
A few years ago before I knew that what I had was lyme, I got my D level up to 129, I almost went into remission during that time(very close), (thinking I had Fibromyalgia at the time). But the stupid docs told me to stop taking the D, said it was too high. Soon I was sick as a dog again.
Getting my D up has helped me tremendously! My LLMD thinks high D levels are extremely important.
Posted by jmb (Member # 18338) on :
Perhaps the report is useful, and perhaps mega-doses of D are important to deal with chronic lyme. I would expect a report from the D council to illustrate the importance of mega doses of D. Just as I would expect Trevor Marshall to dispute the danger of megadoses of D.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- It's a fine line. Too much [regular] D can be toxic. For that reason, D3 is better than D2. [See Bugg's note below] -
[ 11-23-2010, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by steven (Member # 13101) on :
I take 1000 IU vitamin d3 every day.
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
For what it's worth, Jmb, the lecture was actually given in conjunction with Dr. Fallon from Columbia at a Lyme Disease Association Conference...it just happened to be posted on the Vitamin D Council's website....(Not saying this in a contentious way...just informational)....
I just can't encourage people enough to read about Vitamin D on pubmed and decide for yourself....
It has given me my life back after being chronically ill for years with lyme....
Actually, Keebler, it's very difficult to reach toxic levels of D3...there's only ONE reported case of toxicity with Vitamin D3 supplementation and that was with profoundly excessive levels through a mismanufactured supplement....
I don't mean any of these statements to be seen as contentious...I'm just trying to help someone on this board who may be suffering for years from lyme...
Taking higher doses of lyme (ie 5,000 ius) a day of Vitamin D has changed my life from non-functioning to functioning (and this was after years of treating with IV and oral abx, HBOT, supplements, having my amalgams removed)...
I think the higher doses of D modulate my immune system (inflammatory response)....
It was not easy. I had to start with lower doses and work my way up...at first, it gave me a flu-like feeling and alot of cramping in my feet and legs...
(Taking magnesium and calcium along with the D and keeping my electrolytes balanced helped with the cramping in my feet and legs....)
Anyway, just posting this in the hopes that it helps someone else....
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Bugg,
thanks for the distinction. I didn't phrase it correctly but meant that is why D3 is best, rather than D2 - so glad to have you catch that and make it clear. I hear in my mind what I intend to write and just assume my hands follow. -
Posted by Geet3721 (Member # 15751) on :
Good Post!!! Thanks!
I take 4000 iu of D3 a day but my Vitamin D blood test was 19 eek!
Posted by kramer (Member # 15194) on :
I know everyone on this site swears by a certain antibiotic , suplement , protocol or a combination of each. As for me after two years of all of the above i didnt start feelin better until i started taking large doses of "D". From all ive read , its about the only comercialy available vitamin most doctors and researchers really believe is not a waste of money. Just my thoughts - I hope it works for u