<p>^^opera-mom…thanks for your concern. The dosage is in a prescribed therapeutic vitamin. I think I got 15 gel caps in the first script. As I had mentioned, my MD said he expected it would take about 6 months for my levels to increase. I’ve also tried on a couple of occasions to just “tan” my legs below the knees…not easy in this rainy NE summer.</p>
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<p>It is the same? My doc was careful to tell me to make sure I bought Vitamin D3. So confusing!!!</p>
<p>okay silverstersmom…sounds like Dr. will be following…I didn’t know what protocol for low D was…</p>
<p>I think the research is fascinating…I have increased my Vitamin D intake because of it…you would have to consume a huge amount of milk to get the recommended amount of vit. d </p>
<p>…according to my milk jug 1 cup = 25% daily intake of vitamin D…as you’ll remember from my earlier post that as you age you actually need more…so for those over 50 I assume 1 cup= 1/6th daily requirement…(6 cups)…(this is at the current Dietary recommended intake)…however, remember that currently it is believed that this figure is much too low but a new recommendation has not been set…SO…To get the vitamin D you actually need from milk would probably require consuming close to a gallon of milk a day</p>
<p>One of my friends suggested eating whale blubber (she was joking…but depending on the whale it certainly would be a good source)…so just incase any of you decide to move to Alaska and live with an Eskimo I’ve included my prior research (I had way too much time on my hands that day!)</p>
<p>Ok…looks like the type of what blubber you purchase is important… </p>
<p>(bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) [mean=4.20 SD±1.10 ng/g], and Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) [5.43±2.82 ng/g]) vs. primarily piscivorous feeders (ringed seal (Phoca hispida) [746.57±493.00 ng/g] and beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) [426.00±174.92 ng/g]) and a semiaquatic terrestrial carnivore (polar bear (Ursus maritimus) [406.17±311.70 ng/g]). Zoo Biol 23:33-43, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. </p>
<p>Bowhead whale = 4.2 ng/g
Pacific walrus = 5.43 ng/g
Ringed seal = 746.57 ng/g
beluga whale = 426.0 ng/g
polar bear = 406.17 ng/g </p>
<p>*** So conversion on all of this info *** </p>
<p>40IU/1mcg x 1mg/1,000ng x (a)ng/1gm x 28.35g/1 oz = IU per ounce * insert amount of vit D for each specific animal where it says (a) </p>
<p>Bowhead whale= 4.76 IU per ounce… assuming need 600 IU… then need **126 oz or 7.87 lbs Bowhead whale blubber to = the 6 cups milk ** Ringed seal = 846.61 IU per ounce…so need **0.70 ounces ringed seal blubber to equal 6 cups milk **<br>
Beluga Whale = 483 IU per ounce…so need **1.24 ounces beluga whale blubber to equal 6 cups milk **
Conclusion: Choose your source of vitamin D carefully…I think I’ll still drink the milk…(and take a supplement)</p>
<p>ahhh…CBBBlinker…on looking at another site I see that when a supplement says just D it is usually refering to either D2 or D3…so perhaps you are right</p>
<p>D2 is produced by invertebrates, fungus and plants…whereas D3 is produced in the skin…Wikipedia (not a scientific journal…but I’ll go with it this time)…says that some think that either form is just as effective…but some disagree and prefer the D3…so?? When in doubt get the D3 form…It is the form your body would produce…</p>
<p>The over the counter ones are fine once you get through the therapeutic “catch up” with the once a week mega-dose. My 1000 mg pill is tiny. You don’t even need liquid to swallow it.<br>
The Vit D pill is the only thing I take. NO other prescription meds or supplements. I just burned out on the whole thing. Of course, after a hard run I take Vitamin I (ibupropen).</p>
<p>Wow, MOWC, all that running and no glucosamine needed?!! You are lucky!</p>
<p>opera_mom, you win the prize for posting the most arcane information! </p>
<p>I have not been tested for vitamin D levels, as far as I know. I did go in this morning for my first DEXA (test for bone density). I have not heard yet from my doctor but I did look over the display and it looked like all my levels (measurements in various parts of my spine, pelvis, hips) were well within the normal range. This was a relief, as I am 5 years past (very late) menopause, I drink tons of Coke (now down to 1/day), take calcium only sporadically, and nursed both of my very late babies (births at age almost 43 and almost 49) for 1.5-2 years. I take it that normal bone density is not a guarantee that vitamin D levels are OK? I am fair-skinned, and pretty good about sunscreen.</p>
<p>emeraldkity, I remember a recent thread in which you posted about various symptoms (extreme dryness of mouth, eyes, skin) and someone suggested that you be tested for Sjogren’s syndome. Is the vitamin D deficiency a possible explanation for your problems?</p>
<p>I just had my yearly physical a couple of weeks ago and my doctor also put me on the 8 week/50,000 units regimen. I take one pill per week. After 8 weeks, I am to try to get in 2,000 units per day. My doctor suggested 2 Caltrate (with the vitamin D in it) per day plus a multi-vitamin to get the dosage. MOWC - I am only getting 4 pills at a time also. I wonder why it is prescribed this way?</p>
<p>Dogwood…I expect the 4 pills at once prescription would have to due with that being a months supply…(1 per week)…How do you normally get prescriptions?? 30 days or 90?
You wouldn’t be able to get the 90 days because that would be 12 weeks and your Dr only plans on you being on the high dose for 8 weeks…so…just my guess</p>
<p>arcane: hmmm…not sure if I should be proud of that or insulted 
(don’t worry I don’t get offended easily)</p>
<p>I did the 50,000 IU once a week for 13 weeks, Vitamin D level came up. That was over a year ago; this summer I was once again deficient, after taking 1000 IU a day regularly. I am once again doing 50,000 a week, and yes, I can only get 4 at a time also.</p>
<p>opera-mom - no insult intended! I was so amused by your post on whale blubber that I felt compelled to make an (affectionate) comment! I’m an academic, and I love information of all kinds. Please feel proud!</p>
<p>NYMomof2…of course no insult was taken! I thought your comment was funny…although arcane can mean “hard to understand” I figured you probably meant “obscure” which is exactly what I was striving for! Sometimes I just have to play…never get too old for that!</p>
<p>Opera-Mom - That makes perfect sense to have a prescription for a month’s supply.</p>
<p>I don’t think my Vitamin D deficiency has a bearing on my bone density. My bd is in the 98th percentile and it has remained steady over about 8 years of tests.</p>