Vitamin D

[bednobs]

I keep seeing things saying extra vit D is good to take this time of year. What dose?

[Barsel]

LadyCG I take Adcal for my bones but I still take an extra Vit D tablet, not prescribed, but my GP knows I take them.

[Mamyalynne]

I am also on a prescribed dose of 1000iu daily.

[AuntPollyGrey]

LCG is a medical receptionist, not a dispensing pharmacist. -just reminding ;-)

[LadyCG]

Shouldn't harm you at this time of the year, Barsel. I've got super-strength 2,000iu capsules to see me through the winter. I think I must have been quite deplete as I feel immeasurably better since being on them - though I don't take one every single day.

[LadyCG]

I'm a Medical Secretary and not a Receptionist. I don't greet patients and book them in. I wouldn't expect you to know the difference though, APG.

[ladybirder]

Why does it get prescribed when it can be bought over the counter? Should the NHS be paying for this?

[Barsel]

LadyCG there is 1000 IU Vitamin D in the ones I buy from Tesco but I don't know how much in Adcal. I'm sure it will be within the limits though.

[LadyCG]

Are you on a bd (twice daily) dose, Barsel? I think there's 200iu in of vitamin D in each Adcal - so twice daily would be 400iu ... combined with the calcium.

[Mamyalynne]

I was prescribed it by the hospital LB when diagnosed with osteoporosis after fractures.

[LadyCG]

LadyB, Adcal D3 or Fultium D3 is often prescribed with bisphosphonates, the latter being taken once weekly and the former taken on the other six days of the week.

[satprof]

I have some medically-prescribed Vitamin D(3) aka. Cholecalciferol. This is 100,000 IU or 2.5 milligrams in a single (liquid) dose. The P.I.L. suggests taking this once every 3 months for prevention of Vitamin D deficiency or once or twice per month for treatment of an actual Vitamin D deficiency (& for seniors, whether actually deficient or not). An alternative usage is a single dose for pregnant women around the 6th month of pregnancy.
There is interesting information in the wiki article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholecalciferol

[AuntPollyGrey]

LCG // I'm a Medical Secretary and not a Receptionist. //

A secretary then, sorry my mistake. Not a dispensing pharmacologist or any other health care profession qualified to give advice on drug dosage. I would be very careful not to give that impression in your posts.

[Sqad]

/////BOTTOM LINE:
Vitamin D intake is recommended at 400–800 IU/day, or 10–20 micrograms. However, some studies suggest that a higher daily intake of 1000–4000 IU (25–100 micrograms) is needed to maintain optimal blood levels.////

[pastafreak]

Good Lord LadyCG ...the one in your link is so expensive.
It's possible to get 10,000iu/120 gel caps for about that price.
Or 4-5,000iu for less than half that price.
All from reputable companies.

[dannyk13]

I am taking Calcichew forte tablets twice a day, each tablet containing 400ui.

[ummmm]

My dose of...Evalcal D3 1500mg/499 iu is to be taken twice daily.

LadyB....I pay for my prescriptions.

[ladybirder]

Apparently practically everyone should be taking Vit D throughout the winter months. My question about whether doctors should be prescribing it when it can be bought over the counter is answered here by NHE and PHE. Doctors have been asked to:
// Review all patients currently prescribed maintenance doses of vitamin D on the NHS, and consider discontinuing the prescription unless clinical assessment indicates that continuous treatment on prescription is justified. \\
That was in 2018 LOL.
https://www.swlmcg.nhs.uk/Policies/Position%20Statements/SWL%20Position%20statement%20vitamin%20D%20FINAL%20V2%20August%202018.pdf

[pastafreak]

Money saving...?

[ladybirder]

Absolutely Pasta. But that money could be spent on much more vital things.

[MartinMillar]

I get mine prescription because I need high strength vitamins and I didn’t pay anything for them