To begin with, your doctor will do a blood level test to see if you are deficient in vitamin D. This is a simple test that takes blood from a vein in your arm. You don’t need to fast or prepare for this test.
The most common is 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25 (OH) D. This is not a test that is routinely ordered for a physical exam. Therefore, you should check with your doctor to determine if you are at risk and need a level D vitamin test.
A blood level of 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng / ml) up to 50 ng / ml is considered appropriate for most healthy people. If your blood levels are less than 12-20 ng / ml, you are definitely vitamin D deficient and should be taking a supplement.
Your doctor will recommend a daily intake of foods rich in vitamin D or a supplement, as described in a previous section of this report. recommended amounts when you need them to bring your blood levels back to normal.
While you might consider eating more vitamin D-rich foods like fish or beef liver or fortified milk products, most likely your doctor will recommend a supplement for you.
There are two types of vitamin D: D2 and D3.
The D3 type, also known as ergocalciferol, is found in some plants. D2 or cholecalciferol is the type derived from animals. You need a prescription for D2, but vitamin D3 is available without a prescription at any pharmacy.
Prescription vitamin D is usually found in 50,000 IU and should be taken once or twice a week. D3 is more easily absorbed than D2 and can last longer in your body than D3. Follow your doctor’s recommendations and avoid consuming too much vitamin D.
Also, keep in mind that while you can’t get too much vitamin D from sunlight, if you consume your supplements excessively you will get more than the recommended daily allowance and some can cause negative effects.
Side effects such as hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood), nausea, increased thirst and urination, constipation, and loss of appetite.
In extreme cases, this can lead to weakness and confusion or even ataxia (a neurological disorder that makes you pull your words) and suffer from clumsiness).
If your doctor recommends more than the usual recommended daily allowance, watch out for these symptoms and report them immediately. Another thing to watch out for is how much vitamin A gets along with that vitamin D. Vitamin A can also build up in your body and cause toxic side effects.