Why do doctors prescribe vitamin D2 instead of D3?


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You may wonder why doctors prescribe vitamin D2 instead of D3, if vitamin D3 appears to be more potent than vitamin D2. The vitamin D prescription you get from your doctor is typically for 50,000 units of vitamin D2. Vitamin D2 is indicated to treat calcium disorders and parathyroid disorders.

What is a low vitamin d2 level?

A level of 20 nanograms/milliliter to 50 ng/mL is considered adequate for healthy people. A level less than 12 ng/mL indicates vitamin D deficiency.

What are the symptoms of low vitamin d2?

  • Fatigue.
  • Bone pain.
  • Muscle weakness, muscle aches or muscle cramps.
  • Mood changes, like depression.

How do you read vitamin d2 results?

  1. deficiency: less than 30 nmol/L (12 ng/mL)
  2. potential deficiency: between 30 nmol/L (12 ng/mL) and 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL)
  3. normal levels: between 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) and 125 nmol/L (50 ng/mL)
  4. high levels: higher than 125 nmol/L (50 ng/mL)

What is too much vitamin d2?

Taking 60,000 international units (IU) a day of vitamin D for several months has been shown to cause toxicity. This level is many times higher than the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for most adults of 600 IU of vitamin D a day.

What is a dangerously low vitamin D level?

Older classifications considered 25(OH)D levels less than 12 ng/mL to be evidence of deficiency because symptoms were uncommon when levels were higher than this. 38. Today, 25(OH)D less than 12 ng/mL is considered evidence of severe vitamin D deficiency.

What does vitamin D2 do for the body?

Vitamin D2 helps the body absorb and use calcium and phosphate, substances that are the building blocks of bones and important to many other processes in the body, particularly the nervous system. Vitamin D2 also helps the body maintain the right balance of calcium and phosphate in the body.

Does vitamin D affect sleep?

Several studies reported that vitamin D receptors (VDR) were expressed in brain areas that regulate the sleepโ€“wake cycle, such as the hypothalamus [18,19]. This evidence indicated that higher vitamin D status was inversely associated with the risk of sleep disorders.

Does low vitamin D cause weight gain?

A vitamin D deficiency is unlikely to cause weight gain. However, it may cause other health problems or unpleasant symptoms, which are worth avoiding. You can maintain adequate vitamin D levels through a combination of limited sun exposure, a vitamin-D-rich diet, and taking vitamin D supplements.

Is vitamin D level of 70 too high?

A vitamin D level greater than 50 nanograms per milliliter is considered high. Vitamin D levels are determined by a blood test called a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test. A normal level is 20-50 ng/mL, and deficiency is considered anything less than 20 ng/mL, according the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

What is an ideal vitamin D level?

Summary. Vitamin D levels are generally considered sufficient when above 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/l). However, some experts claim that blood levels above 30 ng/ml (75 nmol/l) are optimal.

What is d2 blood test?

A vitamin D test is used to screen for low levels of vitamin D in your blood so you can treat it with supplements before it causes health problems. If you have a known bone disorder or a problem absorbing calcium, a vitamin D test may be used to see if a lack of vitamin D is causing your condition.

Does vitamin D2 cause anxiety?

Vitamin D is not believed to affect anxiety directly. Though it may be correlated with higher anxiety levels, there are likely reasons beyond the vitamin itself – reasons that will be discussed later in this article. Historically, seeing the sun was often a cause for celebration and happiness.

Does vitamin D2 cause weight loss?

The present data indicate that in obese and overweight people with vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation aids weight loss and enhances the beneficial effects of a reduced-calorie diet,” Vigna’s team wrote. The researchers suggest that all overweight and obese people should have their vitamin D levels tested.

What is the difference between vitamin D and vitamin D2?

The two forms of vitamin D differ depending on their food sources. Vitamin D3 is only found in animal-sourced foods, whereas D2 mainly comes from plant sources and fortified foods. Since vitamin D2 is cheaper to produce, it’s the most common form in fortified foods.

What causes vitamin D to drop?

(Rickets; Osteomalacia) Vitamin D deficiency is most commonly caused by a lack of exposure to sunlight. Some disorders can also cause the deficiency. The most common cause is lack of exposure to sunlight, usually when the diet is deficient in vitamin D, but certain disorders can also cause the deficiency.

What is a normal vitamin D level for a woman?

Normal Results The normal range of vitamin D is measured as nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Many experts recommend a level between 20 and 40 ng/mL.

What can block vitamin D absorption?

  • Oral steroids.
  • Orlistat, a weight-loss drug.
  • Statins.
  • Diuretics.

Does vitamin D2 cause constipation?

Too much vitamin D can cause harmful high calcium levels. Tell your doctor right away if any of these signs of high vitamin D/calcium levels occur: nausea/vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, mental/mood changes, unusual tiredness.

How can I increase my vitamin D2?

  1. Spend time in sunlight. Vitamin D is often referred to as โ€œthe sunshine vitaminโ€ because the sun is one of the best sources of this nutrient.
  2. Consume fatty fish and seafood.
  3. Eat more mushrooms.
  4. Include egg yolks in your diet.
  5. Eat fortified foods.
  6. Take a supplement.
  7. Try a UV lamp.

Is D2 or D3 better for osteoporosis?

They are vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Previous research suggested that vitamin D3 was a better choice than vitamin D2. However, more recent studies show that vitamin D3 and vitamin D2 are fairly equal for bone health.

What should not be taken with vitamin D2?

Do not take any non-prescription medications that have vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, or calcium including antacids while taking this medication, unless your care team says you can. The extra supplements can cause side effects.

Can vitamin D2 cause stomach problems?

If you take large doses of vitamin D, you may experience stomach pain, loss of appetite, constipation, or diarrhea as a result of elevated calcium levels.

Are there any side effects from vitamin D2?

  • High calcium or vitamin D blood levels: loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, weight loss, muscle aches or stiffness, constipation.
  • Kidney damage: a change in how much or how often you urinate, feeling tired, swelling in your legs or feet.

Does vitamin D affect hair?

One role vitamin D plays is stimulating new and old hair follicles. When there isn’t enough vitamin D in your system, new hair growth can be stunted. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to alopecia, the autoimmune condition that causes bald patches on the scalp and other areas of the body.

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