I posted this question on another thread but haven't had any responses yet so decided to start a new thread on this subject.
I just found out a few days ago that I'm very low in vitamin D. My alternative doctor says he prefers I get D in the sun and not through supplements.
I did a search here on Lymenet about vitamin D and found there is quite a bit of controversy about taking D for various reasons. I am very confused about this now.
Some people who took the D supplements got pretty sick from it. Herx??? Others say you are feeding the lyme bugs when you take D supplements.
What is one to do? My body needs Vitamin D but I don't think I'm able to get enough sun each day to replenish my very low levels.
I've bought some Carlson Vitamin D3 (not cod liver oil) 1000 IU drops (Cholecalciferol) in coconut oil. I'm ready to take it but would like to get some input and opinions from you all before I do it.
Comments?
Gary
Posted by coltman (Member # 21272) on :
I dunno about being sick from it , the only reason not to take VitD if you are deficient imho is if you on Marshall Protocol and share his idea that D3 is harmfull. I weighted pros and cons and eventually decided that there are more evidence on the side that D3 is not harmfull
After reading it 3 times and all links referenced I decided against MP. There are quite a few things which do not click with Marshalls theory about VitD harm.
Posted by j_liz (Member # 20496) on :
My LLMD has me taking D3, 2000mg every other day. It is the Allergy Research Group brand.
The only improvement that became obvious to me is I didn't have any SAD last yr. That was a nice surprise.
liz
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
I have seen comments here from people who feel that they herxed when beginning to take Vit D.
My experience with Vit D has been more positive: supplementing with D3 has made me feel better and there was no noticeable herx.
Like you, I had extremely low levels of Vit D.
LLMD gave me 50,000IU weekly for 2 mos, and I take 2,000 IU daily. Even so - it took a long time to get my levels to normal again.
And then - when I thought I was in the sun enough and stopped supplementing - LLMD tested again - and levels were extremely low again.
So back to the mega doses weekly, with daily supplementation.
No herxing again - just feeling better.
Hope that helps a bit.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
If you take the D some rec. taking it at bedtime as it acts as a hormone. If you take the coconut oil do so sparingly at first just a pinch to start. As it is very powerful to lyme. Good Luck.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Yes, vitamin D is a hormone. It's also fat soluble and should be taken with a fatty meal. The liquid drops are the most bio available.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I take the Carlson vitamin D. I felt bad in the beginning when I tried it, but that might be due to the increased immune response to the Lyme Disease.
I also bought a tanning bed from Dr. Mercola so I could get the D more naturally.
Posted by gwb (Member # 7273) on :
Thanks to everyone for the great information you posted here. I took my first drop of Vitamin D last night and, so far, have had no negative reaction from it.
Hope to see some positive benefits from it in the days and weeks ahead!
Gary
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I do VERY well with vitamin D3 supplements - the liquid sublingual seems to have a better effect.
I have never had a "herx" or any sort of bad side-effect, even at the highest level of supplementation (for my low numbers). In fact, I feel BETTER with it.
While sun is preferable, even in Oklahoma this time of year the sun does not give all the vitamin D as it does in summer. But ask a meteorologogist (sp?) or sun scientist to be sure.
Even in winter, we can get some benefit from sun exposure. In a good third of the southern (U.S.) states, it is often possible to be in a tank top for 20 minutes. D3 supplement, though, may need to still be added until summer. -
[ 10-23-2009, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
From: NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS IN DISSEMINATED LYME DISEASE
J.J. Burranscano, Jr., M.D. July 2008
Excerpt from page 4:
VITAMIN D
Surprisingly, most people in America are vitamin D deficient. In the lyme patient, low vitamin D levels can cause diffuse body aches and cramps that are not responsive to magnesium or calcium supplements.
Some also believe that vitamin D is essential for normal immune and hormone function. I strongly urge you to have a fasting blood level drawn. It is recommended that blood levels be in the upper half or the normal range.
If it is not, then 2000 to 4000 units daily are needed for several weeks to make up for the deficit, and then a lower maintenance dose may be necessary, based on results from repeated blood level monitoring. If vitamin D is needed, improvements take 2 to 3 weeks to note, but are well worth the wait.