RX Vitamin D supplement VS over the counter, difference?

[Metasomatized Ijolite]

My doctor found that I am deficient in vitamin D and he prescribed a D supplement. I am wondering what the difference is between the RX and the over the counter supplements. I'm supposed to take one pill per day for 2 weeks and then one pill per week after that. I find it odd that after the initial 2 weeks one pill per week is all that is required.

It actually looks like with my RX co-pay that the RX version will cost me less.

 

[MSA122]

I took RX Vit D for 3 months, three times a week; the difference is my RX gel caps were 50,000 IU each; you'd have to take 50 OTC supplements to get that.

 

[Metasomatized Ijolite]

WOW! That's a lot of vitamin D. I had no idea that they recommended taking that much.

 

[DJ_UFO]

I might be wrong, but I've read that taking that amounts of synthetic vitamin D is dangerous. It is very hard to get vitamin D from food. The only main efficient source of vitamin D is the Sun. Depending on where you live, get a tan! is healthy! gradually expose yourself to the sun, so you don't get a burn, and keep your skin golden.

 

[MSA122]

It takes a really long time to build up a Vit D deficiency, and also a long time to get too high of a level which is also not good; that's why the 50,0000 IUs are RX not over the counter, and the doc will recheck in a few months. Over the 3 months I took about 40 x 50,000 IU gel caps; that got me into the normal (although lowish normal still, lol, even though I also tanned and spent a week in Mexico), now he just wants me to take a 1,000 IU regular supplement daily and will watch the level.

 

[Ted Hutchinson]

Human bodies work best with Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol NOT the synthetic form that you get usually on RX or prescription from a doctor. Ergocalciferol Vit D2, the form usually available from doctors, increases the rate of turnover of vitamin D thus one month after taking D2 your vitamin D level may be lower than it was at the start of the month, D2 costs far more, is less effective and has a shorter life span and many people cannot hydroxylate it to the active metabolite so generally is worse than useless.

The level most people need to attain to achieve peak muscle performance is 55ng/ml and most people require around 5000~6000iu/daily D3 to achieve that.
Taking ONE 50,000iu D3 capsule ONCE a week should provide around 7000iu/daily and that should over an 8 week period return levels to that at which human DNA evolved to function best.

Grassrootshealth D Action offer postal 25(OH)D testing at cost price ($40)as part of a trial. Biotech pharmacal sell 50,000iu D3 online in a dry powder filled capsule that work well. 5000iu oil~based gel caps are available from the usual online discount vitamin providers if you can't find 360 x 5000iu at around $15 then you are trying hard enough.

 

[Metasomatized Ijolite]

My symptom that I'm taking it for is lack of energy. My doctor has been working with me regarding my problem with oversleeping. The first thing was that I have sleep apnea. I'm on CPAP therapy for that. It's helped but not enough. So, we had my vitamin D and B levels checked and I was D deficient.

I have a synthetic sun lamp. It's not the type that gives you a tan. It's missing that type of radiation.

 

[Ted Hutchinson]

My symptom that I'm taking it for is lack of energy. My doctor has been working with me regarding my problem with oversleeping. The first thing was that I have sleep apnea. I'm on CPAP therapy for that. It's helped but not enough. So, we had my vitamin D and B levels checked and I was D deficient.

Bio-Tech Pharmacal, Inc. are the online source for 50,000iu D3 Use 1000iu/daily for each 25lbs weight. So 200lbs requires 8000iu/daily= one 50,000iu each sixth day. That is just to keep your status level and meet your daily needs. To catch up, that is to correct a deficiency state you therefore need MORE each day, to create a reserve, than you use each day.

We know that 10,000iu/daily is safe even in places where ample sun is available. So taking one 50,000iu D3 CHOLECALCIFEROL, not the synthetic D2 ergocalciferol on RX, EVERY FIFTH DAY will result in 10,000iu/daily. But you should get as much full body sun exposure as possible as well.

I have a synthetic sun lamp. It's not the type that gives you a tan. It's missing that type of radiation.

Full spectrum sun lamps (for seasonal affective disorder, SAD, winter depression, or jet lag) refer to VISIBLE light spectrum not the invisible UV radiation, so you don't get sunburnt and you don't get vitamin d from them. They work on your pineal gland to stimulate seratonin production and correct circadian rhythm. Work fine but are treating the symptoms of winter depression, correcting vitamin D deficiency treats the cause and hopefully when your Vitamin D status is up to 55~65ng/ml.

 

[shirlene29]

I was prescribed 10000 iu daily for three weeks, and also given a rather odd prescription to go out in the sun for ten minutes a day during that time with as little clothing on as possible

tanning booths/beds wont cut it not that I tan anyway. Its gotta be the sun

otc 10000 a day wouldve been nuts and way huge pills comparatively....plus more $$$

take the script then take a daily otc D for follow up after...+ sun!

 

[Ted Hutchinson]

I was prescribed 10000 iu daily for three weeks, and also given a rather odd prescription to go out in the sun for ten minutes a day during that time with as little clothing on as possible

Far from it your skin constitutes the largest organ in your body, about 10% of you body mass. It evolved to function best under UVB. If you think about it is is odder to suggest that we should prevent any organ from working in the way it evolved to function best.

{quote]tanning booths/beds wont cut it not that I tan anyway. Its gotta be the sun[/quote] Most people find they tan better after they have corrected vitamin D deficiency. There are sunlamps the give out UVB and will cause Vitamin D levels to rise. You can also buy Your own from links provided by The Vitamin D CouncilProviding you stick to regular SHORT sessions these will be fine. Make sure if you use a commercial tanning bed that the tubes they use give out UVB. Some high pressure tubes give out large amounts of UVA (that damage the skin) and no UVB these are the ones to avoid.

otc 10000 a day wouldve been nuts and way huge pills comparatively....plus more $$$

Not at all, you can buy 50,000iu capsules that are quite small for around $30 for 100 or 5000iu oil based gel capsules for $15 for a years supply.

take the script

Only if it is D3 Cholecalciferol NOT worth taking D2 ergocaciferol under any circumstances. It accentuates the turnover of vitamin D so although it raises your status initially it speeds up the processing and ultimately shortens the half life so you end up with a lower vitamin D status than you had before you started using the supplement.
Have a read of what Dr Davis of the Heartscanblog has to say