Correcting Vitamin D deficiency with the right type of Vitamin D

Q. Since July I have low Vitamin D levels (lab values 17 & 23 ng/ml) even with Rx supplementation of Vitamin D ergocalciferol. What can you recommend?

A. I have to say ergocalciferol (D2) form of Vitamin D is not the best form to be taking to correct a Vitamin D deficiency. Your Vitamin D level should never be below 32 ng/ml.

VITAMIN D3 (Cholecalciferol) is the biologically active form of Vitamin D. Cholecalciferol is a pro-hormone that has multiple roles in maintaining bone mineralization and serum calcium levels. Active Vitamin D induces proteins that serve to enhance calcium transport across intestinal mucosal cells. In response to low serum calcium, Vitamin D also stimulates calcium re-absorption in the renal tubules to help maintain calcium levels.

There are two types of Vitamin D supplements: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which comes from fish oil or lanolin (from sheep), and plant source D2 (ergocalciferol), which is found in fortified foods and some supplements. D2, found in plants and made active by irradiation, is less biologically active.

Vitamin D3 is found in eggs, organ meats, animal fat, cod liver oil, and fish. It is the equivalent to the Vitamin D3 formed on your skin from UV-B. You should stay away from high dose synthetic D2 as it has been shown to be toxic at the higher dose ranges.

There are additional reasons why Vitamin D2 has a greater potential for harm. First, Vitamin D binding protein has a weaker affinity for the Vitamin D2 metabolites than Vitamin D3. Second, unique, biologically active metabolites are produced in your body from Vitamin D2, but there are no analogous metabolites derived from Vitamin D3.

In summary for these reasons, you will only want to use Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) - Vitamin D Supreme by DFH

You should be taking a higher dose of Vitamin D3 (10,000 IU /day - 15,000 IU) and getting at least 10-20 minutes of sunlight daily to help you get your levels up. Making sure you are taking calcium along with it is recommended, and continue to go to your doctor to get your Vitamin D levels monitored.