The Move Away From International Units
Starting in 2021, the International Unit will no longer be the only strength listed on vitamin D supplements. In fact, it may not be listed at all.
New dietary supplement labeling requirements from the FDA will go into full effect by January 2021. Among other things, they will require the strength of vitamin A, D and E to be listed as a metric measure .
Per the Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels:
In addition to changing some DVs , the proposed rule would change the units used to declare vitamins A, E, and D from international units, or I.U. to a metric measure, milligrams or micrograms, and also would include the absolute amounts in milligrams or micrograms of vitamins and minerals, in addition to the % DV, on the label.Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2016
Many manufacturers have already started following these new requirements, by listing both the IU strength and the metric strength on their labels. Here is one example:
Hopefully, manufacturers will list both the International Units and the metric strength to assist individuals in finding the appropriate product.
However, there certainly may be situations where you need to convert between one or the other.
Fortunately, the conversion is easy.
How To Use D3
Take vitamin D by mouth as directed. Vitamin D is best absorbed when taken after a meal but may be taken with or without food. Alfacalcidol is usually taken with food. Follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If your doctor has prescribed this medication, take as directed by your doctor. Your dosage is based on your medical condition, amount of sun exposure, diet, age, and response to treatment.
If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
If you are taking the chewable tablet or wafers, chew the medication thoroughly before swallowing. Do not swallow whole wafers.
If you are taking the rapidly-dissolving tablets, dry your hands before handling the medication. Place each dose on the tongue, allow it to dissolve completely, and then swallow it with saliva or water. You do not need to take this medication with water.
Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin D. Take your doses of these medications as far as possible from your doses of vitamin D . It may be easiest to take vitamin D at bedtime if you are also taking these other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you should wait between doses and for help finding a dosing schedule that will work with all your medications.
How Do I Get The Vitamin D I Need
Dont run out to the drug store to buy vitamin D pills just yet. Your body produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sun, and it is estimated that most people need 1,000 to 1,500 hours of sun exposure throughout the spring, summer, and fall to obtain the necessary amount of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is very common and on the rise. This is mostly due to vigilant sun protection, since sunscreen with SPF 30 reduces vitamin D production by 95%. Of course, as a dermatologist I am not advocating for prolonged sun exposure, but small amounts can go a long way, as the skin produces vitamin D that can last at least twice as long the vitamin D you take in through foods or supplements. Vitamin D can also be obtained through other sources, including fatty fish , foods fortified with vitamin D , beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks. Of course, vitamin D supplements are needed for people most at risk for deficiency, including breastfed infants, older adults, people with limited sun exposure, darker skinned individuals, and overweight individuals.
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My Doctor Prescribed 50000 Ius Of Vitamin D Isnt That Too Much
A dose of 50,000 IUs of vitamin D once a week is a common prescription to boost your vitamin D level if it is low. Pay attention to how often your doctor wants you to take this. It is not once a day that would be too much.
Typically your doctor will have you take this dose once a week for 2 to 3 months and then recheck your vitamin D blood level.
Some doctors recommend that you continue the dose of 50,000 IUs every other week for long term maintenance rather than prescribing a daily dose.
Note that the prescription strength of 50,000 IUs is vitamin D2. Some online sources that do not require a prescription may supply vitamin D3. A dose of 50,000 IUs of vitamin D2 should be taken at intervals no greater than three weeks because the blood levels wane. One dose of vitamin D3 lasts longer but you should take 50,000 IUs of vitamin D no greater than one month apart.
So How Much Vitamin D Is Actually Too Much
Interestingly 10,000 I.U. of vitamin D per day is considered a science-backed Tolerable Upper Intake Level from top vitamin D researchers who have actually studied vitamin D toxicity for decades, says Ferira.
To be clear, the U.L. is not the toxic level. Instead, the U.L. is the highest amount of a nutrient the general population can take that likely doesnt have a risk of adverse health effects. Thats an important call-out: general population, Ferira continues. Were individuals, and the collective science plus your health care provider may determine you personally need less or more than the average person. In fact, some people may even need more than 10,000 I.U. of vitamin D3 per day to reach the desired 50 ng/mL range.*
Gallo seconds the advice: In cases where an individual may be at risk for deficiency, higher intake may be warrantedand this decision should be made in consultation with a health care professional who can monitor for any signs or risks of toxicity, she says.
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Who Should Not Take Vitamin D3 5000 Iu
Most people should take vitamin D3 5000 IU daily. However, there are some exceptions. People who should not take vitamin D3 5000 IU include those who are allergic to vitamin D, pregnant women and children under the age of 12. Speak with a healthcare professional to see if vitamin D3 is right for you.
My Doctor Said That My Vitamin D Level Is Low Is That Really Bad
Its well established that Vitamin D is important in the regulation of the bodys calcium levels and bone development. If people dont get enough, they are at risk of diseases like rickets and osteoporosis. But researchers have more recently discovered that vitamin D receptors are found on almost all tissues of the body. This has caused a boom in vitamin D research scientists are investigating its role in everything from heart disease and diabetes to depression, cancer and the common cold.
You get Vitamin D in two ways: by consuming it in foods or supplements, and by making it in your skin when sunlight hits it. Vitamin D doesnt occur naturally in a lot of foods unless youre a really big fan of cod liver oil or mackerel, you wouldnt get nearly enough so many foods are fortified with it. Almost all of the milk sold in the U.S. is fortified with Vitamin D, as are many cereals, juices and yogurts.
That being said, people build up the majority of their bone density during their twenties so it wouldnt hurt to take a daily adult multi-vitamin containing around 600 IU of Vitamin D to help prevent osteoporosis later in life. Its also a good idea to get some regular sunlight exposure whenever you can even if its cold, itll turn on your skins Vitamin D factory. But dont overdo it taking too much can cause damage to the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. And excessive uv radiation exposure can damage your skin and put you at risk for really bad things.
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Vitamin D3 5000 Ui Daily Safe
I have been taking Vitamin D3 5000 UI “by prescription” for 4+ years and now concerned that it has created other issues. I have vasculitis, lupus, psoriasis, IBS-D, diabetes 2, pretty much inflammation everywhere. I am wondering if there is a connection. I am obese and cannot be out in sunlight per medication and disabled 59. Could someone please share their opinion? Thank you in advance.
@patriciam2021 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.
In order for me to connect you with the right members may I clarify your questions?
You have been taking “Vitamin D3 5000 UI daily” for over 4 years and you are wondering if this dose is safe. You said that you have “vasculitis, lupus, psoriasis, IBS-D, diabetes 2, pretty much inflammation everywhere.” May I ask if you have the above ailments before the D3 dose or are these ailments new in the last 4 years? I’m also wondering why you take such a high dose of D3?
I was prescribed the same exact dosage, with much follow up blood work, the doc only allowed it for 12 weekshope feel better soon
I was prescribed 50,000 of Vitamin D for a week when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer and then they suggested a dose of 2,000 per day thereafter. I’ve been doing that for 7 years now.
What Is Vitamin D And Why Is It Important
Vitamin D belongs to the family of fat-soluble vitamins, which include vitamins A, D, E and K. These vitamins are absorbed well with fat and are stored in the liver and fatty tissues.
There are two main forms of vitamin D in the diet:
- Vitamin D2 : Found in plant foods like mushrooms.
- Vitamin D3 : Found in animal foods like salmon, cod and egg yolks.
However, sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D3. The UV rays from sunlight convert cholesterol in your skin into vitamin D3 .
Before your body can use dietary vitamin D, it must be activated through a series of steps .
First, the liver converts dietary vitamin D into the storage form of vitamin D. This is the form that is measured in blood tests. Later, the storage form is converted by the kidneys to the active form of vitamin D thats used by the body .
Interestingly, D3 is twice as effective at raising blood levels of vitamin D as vitamin D2 .
The main role of vitamin D in the body is to manage blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. These minerals are important for healthy bones .
Research also shows that vitamin D aids your immune system and may reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers .
A low blood level of vitamin D is linked to a greater risk of fractures and falls, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, several cancers and even death (
For instance, an analysis of five studies examined the link between vitamin D blood levels and colorectal cancer .
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What Form Does Vitamin D Come In
Vitamin D is available in many forms, including tablets, chewables, gummies, and softgels. Walgreens offers a variety of vitamin D supplements so that each customer can find the best option for them. Vitamin D3 is the most common supplement, but D3 supplements are often derived from animal products. Vitamin D2 supplements are sourced from plants and yeast.
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High Dose Vitamin D 5000 Iu Capsules
Vitamin D3 5000 IU is a high-dose vitamin D supplement. It contains 100% natural Vitamin D3 form Lanolin, encapsulated in small, easy-to-swallow vegetable capsules.
The dosage of 5000 IU contained in vitamin D3 is recommended by experts for adults to achieve and maintain an optimal 25D concentration in the blood all year round when there is not enough sun.
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Are Vitamin D Or D3 The Same
When we refer to vitamin D, we are talking about Vitamin D2. Vitamin D2 and D3 are both widely used vitamin D supplements but are not the same. Vitamin D2 is ergocalciferol and comes from plant-based sources. Vitamin D3 is cholecalciferol and comes from animal-based sources. Both supplements are processed in the body by the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D, though vitamin D3 is thought to provide higher levels of 25D. Some formulations of vitamin D2 are prescription only, while all formulations of vitamin D3 are over-the-counter.
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Surrogate Versus Clinical Outcomes
Although 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are a better surrogate than a rat binding study, clinical outcomes are the most relevant. Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are very common in North America and have been associated with a wide variety of diseases including osteoporosis, bone fractures, malignancy, cardiovascular disease, infections, and more. The majority of the data supports association, not causation, of low vitamin D levels. In other words, much of the data does not clearly support the idea that vitamin D supplementation in a patient with low vitamin D levels reduces the risk of these diseases.
With that said, a recent Cochrane review analyzed the all-cause mortality benefit of vitamin D supplementation by pooling 95,286 participants from 56 randomized clinical trials. In this meta-analysis, about 80% of participants received cholecalciferol and about 20% received ergocalciferol . The vast majority were women , and most were older than 70 years of age.
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Do I Need To Take A Vitamin D3 5000 Iu Supplement
If you don’t get enough vitamin D from sunlight or your food, you may need to take a supplement. Vitamin D tablets and liquid supplements are available in capsule, gummy, and liquid forms. Before taking any pills, consult your doctor since they can affect other medicines you’re taking.
The benefits of taking a vitamin D3 5000 IU supplement are that it can help improve bone health, support the immune system, and promote cardiovascular health. Vitamin D is important for overall health, and many people don’t get enough of it from the sun or their diet.
If you’re wondering whether you should take a vitamin D supplement, the short answer is that it depends. Vitamin D is an important vitamin for overall health, but many people don’t get enough from the sun or their diet. If you’re at risk for vitamin D deficiency, talk to your doctor about whether a supplement is right for you.
Vitamin D At 5000 Iu: Too High Or Just Too Soon
by Joel Rothman | Jul 10, 2009 | NutriSupLaw |
GUEST BLOG by David A. Mark
The Institute of Medicine is currently reviewing the Dietary Reference Intake value for vitamin D that last changed in 1997. While a final report is not expected until May 2010, some dietary supplement companies are boosting their dosages now. The increases have implications not only for consumer health but for regulatory action.
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level for vitamin D for adults today is 2,000 International Units per day. The Daily Value is 400 units. Depending on a persons age, the Adequate Intake is between 200 and 600 units. Those numbers could go higher once the Institute issues its report.
Most people get 100 to 200 units of vitamin D daily from their food. Most multivitamins provide a daily dosage of 400 units. Some manufacturers have begun to offer products with 1,000, 2,000 and even 5,000 units per day. The last is more than double the current upper limit.
Is there a benefit or a danger from getting more vitamin D? A growing scientific consensus says that a combination of food, dietary supplements and the typical exposure to sunlight is not sufficient to reach blood levels for ideal health.
While the cumulative evidence supports an increase in the figure for adult intake of vitamin D to perhaps 1,000 units per day or higher, there is not an equivalent body of new evidence sustaining an argument for a safe, higher upper limit.
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Some People Are Overdoing It In Search Of Better Health
Vitamin D is having its day in the sun. In recent years, research has associated low blood levels of the vitamin with higher risks of everything from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer to mood disorders and dementia. The findings have not gone unnoticed. Vitamin D supplements and screening tests have surged in popularity.
“Vitamin D testing is one of the top Medicare lab tests performed in the United States in recent years,” says Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, the Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women’s Health at Harvard Medical School. “This is really surprising for a test that is recommended for only a small subset of the population.”
Unfortunately, this vitamin D trend isn’t all blue skies. Some people are overdoing it with supplements. Researchers looking at national survey data gathered between 1999 and 2014 found a 2.8% uptick in the number of people taking potentially unsafe amounts of vitamin D that is, more than 4,000 international units per day, according to a research letter published in the June 20 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association . And during the same time period there was nearly an 18% increase in the number of people taking 1,000 IU or more of vitamin D daily, which is also beyond the dose of 600 to 800 IU recommended for most people.
