Apparently we’re all vitamin D deficient. What are most people doing about it and how effective are they finding it?

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nothankyou1158@reddit

Go out to the sun and absorb some of that when you can.

Mine has been low ish in the past and I'm under rheumatology doctors for other reasons, they all recommend and take themselves vitamin d over the winter months as maintenance. I take the spray once 2/3 times a week with my breakfast and that's been working for me. Even in the middle of winter my vit d level was good this year.

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Redgrapefruitrage@reddit

My husband and I take it once a day. I have a baby supplement that my son takes too, it was recommended by the health visitor as he was born in autumn.

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Tim-Sanchez@reddit

Why do you think most supplements are snake oil? I just take a daily supplement from Tesco and it seems to work

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I’ve always heard that whilst the supplements may contain what they say they contain, your body may well not absorb any of it, so you could just be paying money for it to come out of your system in your urine.

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Banes_Addiction@reddit

This is absolutely true but it's so little money.

I piss out a tonne of vitamins because I've been prescribed them for deficiencies in the past and I'd rather br safe than sorry.

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Cakeo@reddit

If you are eating a varied diet you can cover most of your needs.

Branding is nonsense.

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OnlymyOP@reddit

This happens with food too.. Your body doesn't generally utilise all the nutrients from the food you eat.. It just takes what it can (in some cases it also stores them) and you excrete the rest.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

True, a good way of looking at things.

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poptimist185@reddit

You heard (mostly) correct. However vitamin D tablets are better than nothing if your diet is poor.

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RelationshipLife6739@reddit

Got literally 0 d’s up in Northumberland!

I supplement my d’s!

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According-Pepper-795@reddit

honestly it depends on what you’re looking to get out of it. supplements can help support your routine, but they’re not a replacement for good sleep, food, and consistency. i try not to overcomplicate things or take too many at once. lately i’ve just been sticking with Gleefull Supplements for general daily support and seeing how my body responds over time.

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FunkyYoghurt@reddit

I work in healthcare and I hate the weird opinion that Vitamin D is seen as bollocks to make companies like Holland & Barrett richer and it's lumped in with snake oil shit and supplements are bad.

Vitamin D is legit and works. Doctors prescribe it themselves when high doses are required. Vitamin D isn't a scam.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I’ve been prescribed it just now, 20,000u twice a week for 7 weeks. How do you know which are going to be absorbed well by your body and which won’t?

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BurningManHigh@reddit

I would suggest a Vitamin D3 supplement with added K2 as it’s easier to absorb than D2 alone. Even Vitamin D3 alone is more bioavailable than D2 alone. Something else to bear in mind is that Vitamin D is considered fat soluble and so for maximum absorption, it needs to be taken with a meal containing fat or similar (Beauty Pie used to do a great supplement - D3 with K2 in olive oil capsules - sadly they discontinued them around the time that olive oil prices went through the roof).

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Complex-Car-809@reddit

This is so interesting, I take mine at random time in the afternoon but will move to having with food. I am using nutrition geeks Vit D3 with K2 simply because delivery works in ruralish location.

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kamemoro@reddit

afaik you should take it with food as it's fat soluble, not just because it absorbs better but also because what isn't absorbed can accumulate and eventually cause poisoning.

this is not an issue with e.g. vit C which is water-soluble so you can't overdose on it, anything you don't absorb will wash out (and you can take that at any time).

which is why it's also not recommended to take super high doses of vit D without a prescription, it can do more harm than good.

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kimpossible11@reddit

What do you mean 'what isn't absorbed can accumulate and eventually cause poisoning? Accumulate where? If it's not absorbed then it gets excreted no?

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kamemoro@reddit

not quite, the excess is stored in your body fat, not washed out with urine. normally it's not a huge deal as it means it can be used later when needed, but a continuous vit D overuse leads to a buildup of calcium in the blood, which in turn can cause kidney damage.

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kimpossible11@reddit

So if it's stored in the body fat it how has it not been absorbed (eg. via digestion)? I had assumed if it wasn't absorbed then it would be excreted via poop since urine excretion would also require absorption first?

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BurningManHigh@reddit

That’s what the Vitamin K2 aids with - it’s not just for optimal absorption of the Vitamin D. It helps prevent Vitamin D toxicity by regulating the metabolism of calcium in the blood stream (ensuring it is directed into the skeleton rather than into soft tissues and, crucially, calcifying as plaques in the arteries which can cause very serious cardiovascular issues).

Personally, I wouldn’t take any form of Vitamin D without K2 unless explicitly advised not to by a suitably qualified physician.

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Complex-Car-809@reddit

Thank you, that is really helpful to know.

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notcalledemma@reddit

This is helpful to know! I've been taking mine with an omega fish oil supplement - I wonder if that would be enough fat?

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Jane1943@reddit

Vitamin K2 also helps absorption of calcium supplements.

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invokes@reddit

Do you recommend any specific brands?

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Alarmed_Lunch3215@reddit

Aavalabs is my go to - it’s great and it’s suspended in olive oil too

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

Brilliant advice thank you!

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Dr_Gillian_McQueef@reddit

Vitamin D is fat soluble so take it with your highest fat meal of the day to absorb it better.

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pastyMorrisDancers@reddit

The amount of vitamin d prescribed for your deficiency (same as my wife recently) would take over a year of daily over the counter supplements. The loading dose is no joke, and will turn your life around in terms of fixing your symptoms.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

This is amazing to hear!

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OnlymyOP@reddit

It varies from person to person, but your body will use as much as it's able to and the rest will be excreted

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Usual-Description800@reddit

Uhh, no, Vitamin D is not water soluable so the excess will not be excreted, it will be stored in body fat and the liver, can build up and lead to Vitamin D toxicity. Lets not be sharing potentially incredibly harmful wrong information

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Inevitable_Thing_270@reddit

Vitamin d replacement dosing is weird because it can be done as a daily dose, a larger twice weekly dose, or an even larger dose once a week.

They all work equally as well as each other for being absorbed.

You’re on replacement dose. Once you’re finished make sure you start taking a daily supplement to keep your levels up. The cheapest pills are often found at the small local pharmacies. Any generic brand will do. It doesn’t need to be fancy

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Big_Chungussi69@reddit

Vitamin D3 is fat soluable so best taken with a fatty meal to aid absorption

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PoopFandango@reddit

If it's been prescribed, surely take your prescription to the pharmacy and take whatever they give you?

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I’ve been prescribed a loading dose but I’m looking at a maintenance supplement for when it finishes

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Lunaspoona@reddit

I had to take those. After I got mine from Boots, just the VitD ones not the combo ones. My diet is poor but it definitely helps. My last few tests haven't been an issue so they must be working ok

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onepanmarty@reddit

Look up the pharma Nord brand. Its a high quality supplement made by a Danish company. You can get direct from their website. Small capsules with olive oil to help absorb the vitamin D. As a pharmacist this is the one I recommend

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Physical_Signature67@reddit

I got prescribes the same recently. The fact is you got tested and deficiency found. You probably didn't get prescribed anything else because you weren't deficient in anything else. So other supplements for you are a waste but vityy D you need extra

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IOnlyUpvoteBadPuns@reddit

Nah, it's all a massive deep state conspiracy to get me to spend 80p a year on Vitamin D tablets...... I'm on to you, big pharma!

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roxieh@reddit

Yup. I struggle with fatigue a LOT (two chronic auto immune conditions and therefore I'm pretty housebound too), I got some Vit D and Vit B complex supplements I started taking in Jan from tesco and even just the little bit my energy is NOTICEABLE. It could be placebo effect, I don't care, but if gone from only having the energy to shower on weekends to back to doing it every few days, and I can actually get up in the mornings and be somewhat functional. For months my life was wake up, stay in bed / Pj's all day, work (from home), eat a ready meal, have a couple of leisure hours in the evening then sleep like 10 hours. It has literally changed my life.

I'm still tired a lot but it doesn't absolutely destroy my ability to do anything. Would recommend. It's cheap and easy, and I don't remember to take them every day, but if you are struggling with energy it's totally worth it.

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LizzyFCB@reddit

Go and get a blood test please!

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roxieh@reddit

I have them regularly, my health conditions are more than known and documented with various health practitioners.

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LizzyFCB@reddit

Glad to hear it. Take care

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sunheadeddeity@reddit

Pal of mine is a biochemistry with GlaxoSmithKline (or whatever they are called now) - he says it's the only supplement worth taking, and indispensable in our latitude.

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brntuk@reddit

Yep, Holland & Barrett, that snake oil fly by night company that’s been going longer than the NHS.

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Chidoribraindev@reddit

Yes, the length of time a scam shop has been opened means it can be compared to a nationalised health service.

With that kind of thinking, it's no surprise you fall prey to these shops.

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brntuk@reddit

If they were fake, people wouldn’t use them.

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northyj0e@reddit

Something being real doesn't mean it's not a scam, and people continuing to fall for a scam doesn't mean it's not a scam. People smoked for almost a century, thinking it was actually good for their lungs.

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salutdamour@reddit

Any other supplements you recommend?

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liltrex94@reddit

My mum has been advised by her doctor to take a vitamin D supplement. I'm one of those rare forces of nature that produces my own (redhead gene)

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Organic_Reporter@reddit

Still need sun exposure to produce it. I ended up deficient, despite being a redhead (as a child, weirdly my very auburn hair went brown but my son's stayed ginger), but I don't go outside much and when I do, I'm wearing sunscreen and layers.

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liltrex94@reddit

I'm ginger/copper, in my early 30s. Yes, you do still need to go outside but humans were not made to stay inside indefinitely, redheads included.

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amboandy@reddit

I love the fact that these people think, just because there haven't been any controlled trials it means the treatment is invalid. I can just imagine the ethical oversight people in hysterics when the control arm of the trial is to be denied vitamin D.

This isn't Megele, J. et al (1943)

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Chidoribraindev@reddit

The control group would just be people that don't take a supplement. You could further control based on self-reported exposure to the sun. Nothing crazy about that.

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saint1997@reddit

Does taking it with food really matter? I always take it right before bed as part of my routine so I don't forget

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FunkyYoghurt@reddit

It's not the end of the world but it's fat soluble so your body will absorb it better as it's also processing food.

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EmperorsChamberMaid_@reddit

Largest meal? I didn't think it mattered too much. Guess I need to change from morning to evenings

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FunkyYoghurt@reddit

It's a recommendation not an instruction.

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_Yalan@reddit

The latest studies I read recommended that not only all adult men and women take a vitamin d supplement thoughout autumn/winter, but adult women couldn't do any harm by taking one all year round! Which I do now.

I took a 25k one initially when I was deficient, but I'm on an over the counter 'high strength' one now and I've found it really makes a noticeable dent in how severe my seasonal affective disorder gets, not only that it seems to lessen the effects of pmdd too which is great. Winter doesn't feel like... I don't know as much of a slog as it did before. I still hate it, but I'm not just waiting for it to be over now. I feel like it didn't hurt my immune system either, I used to get every single viral thing happening all winter, last two years of taking it I've escaped most of the things doing the rounds bar one or two (Flu A got me last year and that was a doozy!).

For practically pence for months worths of supply, you can't fault it. Recommend it to everyone.

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Basic-Pudding-3627@reddit

Take Vitamin D3 + K2. The perfect combo. Any brand will do if you check the label, and it provides 100% of the RDA.

I take them daily with omega-3 capsules. Magnesium is the other one to take.

Leave the rest, unless all you eat is junk food and sweets!

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WanderWomble@reddit

B12 is a good one to take, especially if you take something like omeprazole or other PPI because they can reduce how much B12 you can get from food.

https://patient.info/medication-interactions/omeprazole-and-vitamin-b12-interaction

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vario_@reddit

Wow. My friend has been severely B12 deficient for years (needed injections from the docs and is now trying tablets but will likely need injections again.) She also just got put on Omeprazole probably permanently because of a hiatus hernia that makes her throw up any large meal. Definitely think I should show her this!

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specialistmidon@reddit

I’m on omeprazole and been told to take vitamin d, folic acid and B12. Anything that combines these rather than taking 3 tablets ?

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Puzzled-Barnacle-200@reddit

I don't know what doses you need, but a basic pre-natal will include folic acid and vitamin d. Such as this from Boots.

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Amylou789@reddit

They're normally expensive but WellWoman vitamins contains all three along with some other stuff. Not sure if there is a cheaper option.

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WanderWomble@reddit

https://www.nutritiongeeks.co/products/iron-energy-high-immune-support-complex

This and a Vit D spray?

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---_-------@reddit

This is the case for me, but sublingual (under tongue) ones are ideal because they absorb through the mouth and bypass the stomach.

I take these daily :

https://lindens.co.uk/products/vitamin-b12-1000mcg-sublingual-tabs

I find my energy slumps when not on them. Been on PPIs since about 2002.

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Aetheriao@reddit

4000IU a day is so high you should not be taking that unless under medical advice to do so.

90% of that is a complete waste of time and for some people such a high dose long term if they have any organ problems can make them sick.

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---_-------@reddit

4000IU is often stated as the maximum safe dose.

I try to stay in the middle of the range defined as “safe”. 2000IU with D3 daily.

The NHS recommends 400IU a day, which has been criticised.

The only way to know for sure is a blood test, but it’s a shame they aren’t cheaper.

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h00dman@reddit

Yeah I made the mistake a while ago of listening to people online about vitamin D supplements, and bought 4000 iu dose vitamin D tablets.

I woke up on day 3 and vomited on my lap the moment I sat up.

I take 1000 iu now which isn't giving me any negative side effects.

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Basic-Pudding-3627@reddit

Actually, it's the milligrams of elemental magnesium that matters!

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mcdombe@reddit

Omega3 and oxidation - dyor. Fish twice a week might be the answer.

K2 - look for MK7 not MK4

Ubiquinol and Vit A plus maybe créatine would be on my list. Vit A from liver - not many people eat it, but getting enough Vit A elsewhere is tough.

If in doubt find a functional medicine trained nutritionist. They spend 3 years learning to understand how to give you the right mix of food advice along with any supplements based on your individual health markers. Any one trained at ION or with IFM accreditation.

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Chevalitron@reddit

Same. I had a cold last month. It was my first cold in 4 years.

Family get sick all the time. I tell them to take these 3 different things with a total annual cost of about £40. "Nooo that's too much work". Fine, enjoy being ill.

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sky_beyond_storm@reddit

What brand do you recommend for such a low price?

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Chevalitron@reddit

I buy the Vita Premium 4000 IU off Amazon, it is basically a year's supply, though you can reduce them in the warmer months if you are worried about taking too much and spend more time outdoors. Though really it's a cheap supplement, any brand will do, the ones in supermarkets just tend to be low doses so they're easier to buy online for a tenner in bulk.

The K2 supplements are more expensive, I buy the Oxford Vitality ones so I have nothing to compare them with for effectiveness, but you can usually get a year's supply for £20-£30.

Magnesium can be more expensive, I buy the cheap supermarket ones because I don't seem to have any trouble with them, but some people find the formulation of magnesium oxide affects their stomachs and buy the gentler magnesium glycinate ones, which cost more.

You can of course get a lot of this in your food, but people will debate how effective the smaller doses in food are, against the risk of overdosing in for people with health issues. I'm not a doctor and leave people to discuss that with their own. But I used to have constant sniffles, and now I don't.

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OliveRecent5050@reddit

Just as a heads up, the K2 addition gave me really weird head pains, like zaps. I still take normal vit D tho. Just go careful!

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Hotspur1882@reddit

This is the way

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musicfortea@reddit

The first post that makes sense. I used to take vitamin D on its own and got kidney stones. With K2 no problems.

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Gold-Mixture-7824@reddit

Is vitamin D considered a mood stabiliser for us who live in parts of the world with little sun?

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

No it’s not a mood stabiliser, but low vitamin D can make you feel low in mood.

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Unlucky-Dark-9256@reddit

So it can stabilise your mood if it increases your vitamin D?

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

A mood stabiliser is a very specific class of medication. Just because something helps manage your mood does not make it a mood stabiliser.

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Unlucky-Dark-9256@reddit

But it’s a side effect of taking vitamin D? Therefore it can help to stabilise your mood, no? Naturally

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

For some people it might help their mood yeah.

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Gold-Mixture-7824@reddit

I never realised this but knew you got vitamin D from the sun, the sun lifts your mood so that makes sense. Too bad we don't get much in Scotland lol. I'll have to check my multivitamins now 🙂

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Gisschace@reddit

I used to live in the Middle East and now definitely feel my mood change in the darker months. Like OP I had low levels and went on replacement therapy and now take vit d every day.

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Gold-Mixture-7824@reddit

And you have definitely noticed a boost in your mood after the therapy and vitamin D?

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Gisschace@reddit

Absolutely, it’s not talked about enough imo as people focus on the more obvious benefits of Vit D like reduction of illnesses.

But last winter (when I needed the replacement therapy) I was lethargic and didn’t want to do anything, I like I just couldn’t be bothered to move off the sofa, my bf would want to go out and I’d just want to lie on the sofa and watch a film.

I’m an early riser but I’d still in bed at 8.30-8.45 and be dragging myself out of bed for work. But within two weeks I’d be jumping out of bed at 6 am.

I don’t know why they don’t medicate all of us, the Vit D was so cheap the pharmacist just charged me for the tablets rather than the prescription as they were £4 for three months

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dawind22@reddit

I keep healthy and fit by incorporating broccoli into meals at every opportunity.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I love broccoli!

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chill-manoeuver@reddit

Use a spray

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No_Whereas_5203@reddit

I take 4,000IU vitamin D from vitabright and it does work, blood levels went up. I take k2 as well. Didn't take enough magnesium though and my levels went down. If your low in vitmain D sometimes magnesium levels can go down when you take vitamin D

In the summer if the sun is out i skip the vitamin D and sit in the sun instead

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cankennykencan@reddit

I took 5000iu of vitamin d3 and was having to cut my nails twice a week.

Was crazy. Def works

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TheShakyHandsMan@reddit

That explains a lot. I was wondering why I was constantly needing to trim.

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gogul1980@reddit

I have MS which they believe is possibly due to Vit D deficiency as a child. So yeah had exhaustion and fatigue my whole life. Vit D3 is the one people should be getting and being outside as much as possible with enough skin exposed to absorb the scant amount of sun we get. MS is more prevalent in northern countries like Scotland. Sweden, Norway etc

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Derries_bluestack@reddit

I didn't realise that it could be connected to childhood vitamin D deficiency. I hope you are managing OK.

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gogul1980@reddit

I’m ok thanks. Yeah it was surprising to me aswell. I supplement with D3 now and am on infusions to lower my immune system so it doesn’t attack me as much.

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Embarrassed_Park2212@reddit

A good few years ago I just felt so down and depressed, lethargic and tired. I couldn't understand why because I was sleeping fine, had nothing to be depressed about. So went to the doctor's, found my vit d was extremely low. Was given very high doses of vitamin d, the oil with the taste of Terry's chocolate orange. Right as rain a week later. After that I did take vitamin d and k for a couple of years.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

This is exactly the kind of comment I was hoping to read! I’ve been feeling so lethargic and no amount of sleep has felt enough. Hoping the high dose I’ve been given helps!

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TulipTatsyrup@reddit

A few years ago I legitimately thought I had something very seriously wrong with me.

I was in so much pain with my large bones, pelvis, femurs etc.

I was constantly tired and very tearful all the time. Turned out my Vitamin D was in by boots.

Like you I had the Seven week course and now never ever miss my daily VitD.

Life changing.

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s3z23@reddit

I was in a very similar position. I gradually (over many years) got to a point where I was so exhausted all the time, that I would come home from work and just get into bed. On the weekends, I would mainly stay in bed and watch TV and had to push myself to do basic household stuff and look after myself. I then started getting really bad pain in my bones, aches all over my body, and my hands were stiff. I was having difficulty breathing sometimes and struggled to get up stairs. I genuinely thought I had either rheumatoid arthritis or bone cancer, and I kept visiting the GP to be fobbed off with such great advice as "drink more water" and "get up from your desk every so often at work". Finally, on yet another visit to my GP, there was a stand-in because my usual GP was ill. She got me to try and move my hands, looked at me very concerned and asked how old I was (I was under 30), she told me this was definitely not normal and that she'd get some more tests done urgently. I was weeks away from quitting my FT job and moving back in with my parents because I was not functioning any more. The results showed I had extremely low vitamin D levels, as I understand it I was not far from the very dangerous range where your organs start shutting down. I was put on a high dose for weeks, the same as OP and now take a 4000iu a day all year round. Take your vitamin D kids!

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Derries_bluestack@reddit

Did you have a chat with your usual GP after your diagnosis?

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s3z23@reddit

No, I moved for work not long after, plus I never wanted to see that useless doctor again. Why?

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Derries_bluestack@reddit

I would have been so angry. He/she fobbed off your symptoms and it took another doctor to cure you. For something relatively simple like a vitamin deficiency.

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s3z23@reddit

Yeah, I was (still am) angry about it. I was so unbelievably ill and suffered for years for something so simple. They had done blood tests IIRC (things like thyroid I think) but hadn't thought to check vitamin D. I remember when I first went to them, to explain the fatigue I said "I used to go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week and now I can do maybe once a week at most" and she said "you don't need to go to the gym to get exercise, try just doing some walking" and she was just completely missing the point of what I was trying to tell her.

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Rudahn@reddit

Had something similar last year. Constant fatigue, aching bones and joints, felt very tearful and kept feeling light headed, headachey and nauseous. Chalked it up to stress until I couldn’t take it any more.

Blood tests came back with very very low vit D and some inflammation markers. Took a high strength course of vitamin D supplements and felt better within a few days. Magical stuff and I take a regular supplement with dinner every night now. Didn’t realise just how much of a difference it makes.

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TheBestBigAl@reddit

Turned out my Vitamin D was in by boots.

Other chemists are also advisable.

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TulipTatsyrup@reddit

Well done.

You made me do the pig snort of laughter.

I doff my cap in your general direction.

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Fickle-Garden4886@reddit

Honestly I've never felt so fucked as before I had my loading dose, like the highlight of my winter was getting to have an afternoon nap on the electric blanket, it really didn't get more exciting than that, barely saw anyone or did anything and the vitamin D really helped me get up and out again

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Puzzled-Barnacle-200@reddit

In late 2020 I was diagnosed similarly. Had weekly doses for I think 6 weeks, then monthly doses for a year.

I now try to follow NHS guidance of taking supplements daily from October-March. I also try to take them about twice a week in the summer, as a little top-up. I just use standard supermarket supplements, which seems to have prevented me from having a repeat of my previous issues.

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ClearAsMuggle@reddit

I buy Sealions

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07ufarooq@reddit

In December I had a feinting incident (alongside feeling shitty and tired all the time) and I went to the doctors and they noticed that I hadn’t had my bloods done since 2008 or something. Got a blood test done and turns out I was severely deficient in vitamin d. I think my levels were 14.6 (can’t remember the units). Immediately jumped on a loading phase of 40,000iu per week.

I have to say I feel much better. I took 2/3 months for it to take effect. So you please don’t be an idiot like me and get your bloods done regularly. My loading phase is over so I have ordered a 7,000iu tablet that I will take 2/3 times a week going forward

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patogatopato@reddit

Boots do high dose supplements that I take for Iron and B12 (diagnosed deficiencies) that have kept my levels up to normal after the initial prescriptions ran out.

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Sasspishus@reddit

Is the iron one available in any of their shops or is it something you have to get over the counter?

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patogatopato@reddit

It's in the shops but maybe only big stores

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Sasspishus@reddit

Thanks, I'll have to have a look for it

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Indigo-Waterfall@reddit

Most vitamins are “snake oil” because you’re not deficient in that vitamin therefore dont need it and urinate it out. Most people in the northern hemisphere ARE deficient in vitamin D because of our lack of sun exposure particularly during the winter darker months.

I take vitamin D as well as try to get outside as much as possible.

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crankyandhangry@reddit

I dont think the hemisphere makes much of a difference. Whether you're on the northern or southern side of the equator, if you're near the equator, you will get a lot of sun; and if you're far from the equator, you'll get little. Maybe you mean most people at northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere?

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Indigo-Waterfall@reddit

It does make a difference because of the geography of the world. There are more countries (and therefore people) that are affected by lack of sunlight in the northern hemisphere.

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Severe_Mastodon8072@reddit

Exactly this.

In answer to the question, I take vitamin D or a multivitamin including vitamin D. Don’t put much thought into brands or doses- just whatever is sold at the place it’s most convenient to buy it from.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I wear a smart ring that tells me how much vitamin D I’m getting as one of its features and it’s shocking how little you get being outside sometimes in the autumn and winter months. I’ve not had it during summer yet so I’m curious to see if it shows I’m getting more.

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dottymouse@reddit

Which ring is that? I'm looking for a new tracker...

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

Ultrahuman but I’m not loving it tbh and wouldn’t recommend!

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Millionth-throw-away@reddit

You don't get Vit D from being outside. Your body makes it using Vit C you've already consumed. You need to be outside and have a balanced diet to make Vit D.

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Most_Art507@reddit

I thought Vitamin D is synthesized from cholesterol, not vitamin C, I could be mistaken though

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Millionth-throw-away@reddit

You're right, not sure where I got Vit C from. Maybe the cholesterol we get from dairy (and high vit c) products? Not sure.

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Most_Art507@reddit

Most of our cholesterol is made by the liver, there's cholesterol in foods such as eggs and seafood too.

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Sweet-Economics-5553@reddit

A lot of people in the Middle East are too because it's too hot to be outside for half the year.

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Cakeo@reddit

Snake oil if you have a varied diet, you overestimate the population.

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Forsaken-Bread-8214@reddit

I am a Brit, I live in California and I have to take it! It's sunny every day here too! We get rain about 3 times a year, I hate it!

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fergie_89@reddit

We take energise regularly, (sachets). I'm also b12 deficient, anemic and considering I'm not skinny I don't eat a whole lot. Oh an anemic to boot.

Fruit is your friend. Daily supplements (I also take potassium)

I guess we buy fruit and veg when finances allow and medicate otherwise?

For me personally I lost a lot of memory and being able to retain info at work, felt sluggish almost drunk without drinking?

Basically a lot of supplements, my husband is super into healthy stuff and pushes it on me when I can't stomach food (not preggo, no cancer, just a weak stomach).

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EitherChannel4874@reddit

I take a supplement year round and double up the dose during winter.

I've been low on it a few times in the past during other medical issues so my gp suggested I take it.

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ItsDominare@reddit

I've been taking a one-a-day vitamins & minerals thing for many years, seems to keep me basically functional.

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Millionth-throw-away@reddit

I go outside and sun my bumhole

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Derries_bluestack@reddit

Yes, I'm sure your vitamin D is in the optimum range.

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Jasp1971@reddit

The moon and sun in perfect synergy.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

This comment killed me off

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Derries_bluestack@reddit

OP go to the Magnesium sub and search vitamin D. Look at the problems loading doses causes to magnesium. Read their symptoms. Watch out for them. Or ask your GP about magnesium to take to prevent it in the first place. You could try topical too. Sprays or Epsom salt footbaths.

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CharlotteElsie@reddit

I think the snake oil vitamins in general thing stems from the fact that most people do get adequate vitamins from their diet. If this is the case, and you are taking additional supplements, they are basically pointless. It’s not helped by the fact that there are businesses massively overcharging for supplements and trying to sell them to us. Vitamin D is an obvious exception, as many people do need supplementary doses, which are often prescribed by healthcare professionals.

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Derries_bluestack@reddit

Snake oil. It's a vitamin (hormone) not patchouli oil.

Did your GP prescribe K2 at the same time. Did your GP tell you to take magnesium & zinc with it too? If not, call them and ask what happens to magnesium and zinc stored in the body if a person takes a high (loading) dose for weeks.
It tanks. That's the answer.

K2 - apparently recently research from the US said it isn't required to move Vitamin D to the correct places. But I'll stick with the old advice.

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Pockysocks@reddit

I tried supplements for a while but didn't notice any tangible difference.

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hahahaneedhelp@reddit

How did you feel after taking it?

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TeamPangloss@reddit

Baby you speak for yourself

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PennySoleil@reddit

I had the exact same treatment after a blood test revealed very low levels. Honest, noticeable difference to the point that I even came off antidepressants (though probably shouldn’t have been prescribed in the first place). I also stopped getting infections all the time, and when I did get ill it didn’t affect me anywhere near as much as it did before. Felt like a different person around week 5 of the loading dose.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

This is so good to hear! I was feeling so unwell it felt a bit like too simple a solution, but hearing from so many people that it made the world of difference has me more optimistic

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PennySoleil@reddit

Yeah I had similar feelings about it being such a simple fix, but it’s such an essential vitamin. Now when anyone near me complains about being ill I ask them if they take vitamin D.

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P19bw@reddit

Did they check your b12 and ferritin (iron) too? That's the usual culprit for feeling shit and GPs don't understand that. The 'ok' level is so incredibly low that most people are told they're fine when they're really not. Optimal ferritin is about 100, icr what b12 ideal range is but it's a lot higher than nhs says lol

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

Ferritin yes, B12 no but I was deficient and on injections for B12 for years and then they stopped them when I maintained a normal level as per NHS standards so it might be worth checking (I don’t eat much meat)

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milliemolly9@reddit

The NICE guidelines (which GPs should follow) actually state that treatment should be guided by symptoms rather than blood test results. If you needed B12 injections before it’s pretty likely you still need them now.

B12 deficiency is also very likely to cause extreme fatigue, brain fog etc

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P19bw@reddit

Yeah they've had some recent stricter guidance come out which states this, which is really good progress. Hopefully GPs are on board

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P19bw@reddit

Yeah deffo check your b12. You'll have probs dropped :( so might need the injections to build it up. I'm vegan and had to go on the b12 injections for that reason. I have the high strength (3,000ug dose) gummies daily now. B12 deficiency causes fatigue tiredness and irreversible neuro problems long term so GP should test you for it

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Sad_Refrigerator_787@reddit

My vitamin D level was 19 nmol/L in 2024, so I was put on a loading dose of 40,000 IU per week for 7 weeks. After that, I have been taking a daily supplement for the past two years.

At a recent blood test, my vitamin D level was 73 nmol/L, which is now in the normal range. I don’t go out in the sun much because I don’t like getting tanned, so I think the vitamin D supplement is working.

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samcornwell@reddit

Vitamins every day my man

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svenz@reddit

I always wonder why the UK doesn’t fortify milk with vitamin d like everywhere else.

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Ok_Art_6241@reddit

Metagenics are a good vitamin brand with no added crap in them

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elladeehex33@reddit

I'm prescribed Cholecalciferol from my GP. Been on it for years at this point.

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Bad_Combination@reddit

Take vitamin D every morning alongside prescription pills, iron, and a couple of other vitamins/supplements. Wash it all down with an effervescent vitamin C.

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bricklord79@reddit

I work outside all year round and iirc we get vit D from sunlight. Am I likely to be vit D deficient too?

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Hot_Growth_9643@reddit

I thought I was - but it seems I was just unhappily married. After removing the offending partner, I found I no longer need vitamin D

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EhDinnaeEvenKen@reddit

Happy lamp on my desk for an hour a day, daily supplement of 25mg D3. It helped make the winter depression a lot more bearable.

I went from making at least one attempt on my life for 4 winters in a row, to not having tried in over a decade.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I have a happy lamp, but didn’t realise it can boost your vit D just thought it boosted mood! Need to dig it out

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Kittygrizzle1@reddit

I gives me insomnia. I’ve tried loads of different brands. They all do it. Even low doses.

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Money-Pen8242@reddit

I start taking a vitamin d supplement when the clocks go back in autumn and stop taking it when they go forward in spring.

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Appropriate_Trader@reddit

I chomp vit D tablets with breakfast between November and April. It takes me from suicidal to miserable fucker.

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jamaicancarioca@reddit

I supplement Vitamins D and K, Magnesium, Boron and collagen daily.

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coconutszz@reddit

Daily spray of Vit d + k12 (bare biology) .

Purely anecdotal but I haven't had a cold since I started taking it

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Internal_Break4115@reddit

Vit D super important. You need it to absorb calcium and you need calcium for strong bones. Get a supplement from a chemist. I'm celiac and unfortunately wasn't absorbing a whole lot of vitamins for a long time.

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Iklepink@reddit

I've been taking aldi's now on Asda's, year round after I've ate dinner. I live in NE Scotland and don't go out much. Had a recent test to check my vitamin levels (I get B12 jabs), my vit D was good. It was nice to know the tablets obviously help.

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NoCold3997@reddit

I just bugger off from the uk to italy for 2 months every year ...no vit d deficiency....simples 👍

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infosackva@reddit

I was deficient in Vitamin D, I thibk my level was something dramatic like 4. My main complaint was that all of my bones ached, especially the joints. I ignored it for a while thinking it was a weight thing and then it started being my while skeleton and was like hmm that’s not right.

The pills work very well. I apparently leak Vit D though because after I was taking an OTC for a year following my loading dose I was still deficient and told by my GP to take a supplement (which I already was! So I got told to take 2 lol). The supplements are cheap and work. Don’t pay over the odds, but do take them. If I go without for a while I start feeling my skeleton a bit too much again.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

My bones have been hurting so badly too! It’s such a unique pain ain’t it. Do you have to keep taking the loading dose given you don’t seem to respond to a standard maintenance dose now?

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infosackva@reddit

Nah I just take a higher OTC and that holds me. I like Nature’s Best but honestly any of them are perfectly fine. And yeah, I have no idea how to explain the pain, it’s one of those “you don’t know til you know”

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FatBloke4@reddit

The NHS recommends everyone over the age of one taking 10 micrograms (400 IU) daily.

There was a study done some years ago, where some researchers took the data from other studies from around the world, about the efficacy of vitamin D and found that most people (regardless of race or location) benefitted from taking 10 micrograms (400 IU) daily. (I can't find a link to it now)

It's inadvisable to take more than 4000 IU daily unless directed to do so by a doctor. In 2024, David Mitchener of Surrey suffered from vitamin D toxicity, hypercalcaemia (excessive calcium), which caused heart and kidney failure and his death. He had been taking high doses of vitamin D for nine months.

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No-Door-3181@reddit

I'm going through the same right now! Plus finding out my iron is extremely low - for women, please do regular blood tests, this is very common apparently.

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Aetheriao@reddit

As a doctor I physically laughed out loud that you think supplements = snake oil.

Yeah root of mumbo jumbo might be. Vitamins are crucial to live. We literally fortify foods with vitamins under the law because years ago people were constantly deficient in basic vitamins. Breakfast cereal and bread is a common example.

Vitamin D is so important the government is looking into increasing the requirement to fortify foods with it: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fortifying-food-and-drink-with-vitamin-d-a-sacn-rapid-review/fortifying-foods-and-drinks-with-vitamin-d-summary#conclusions

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Inevitable_Thing_270@reddit

Doctor here. And I’ve had symptomatic vitamin d deficiency too at one point. Had bone pain in my leg that was horrendous.

And didn’t realise how crap I’d felt before that until I got the replacement treatment (earlier signs are very vague).

There’s a good argument that at least everyone in Scotland should take a daily supplement since sunlight levels are low, so since most of us don’t work outside as our norm, many have low vitamin d levels.

Overall our diets aren’t high in vitamin d. Human’s main source of vitamin d is from sun exposure on our skin and we make it in our skin as a result. But obviously sun exposure comes with down sides too, like increased risk of skin cancer, and increases signs of aging in the skin. So generally the advice is use sunscreen, and take a daily vitamin d supplement. The cheapest generic brand is fine. Doesn’t need to be anything fancy. It’s the one supplement that I don’t consider a scam for most adults in the uk to take. Most adults don’t need any other vitamin supplements (take advice from your doctor if you think it would help. Or if they have said you should take it, then go for it)

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regulator202@reddit

I take a supplement when I remember to throughout winter. I don't notice it's impact

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LaraH39@reddit

I take a vitamin capsule D3 every day.

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always_crafting@reddit

Treatment was honestly amazing. I'd been an anxious, exhausted mess for a while in the autumn, turned out my levels were deficient six months previously which I hadn't realised and they'd forgotten to tell me - but I guess being outdoors over the summer had just about kept me ticking over. Once the weather turned I started feeling rough again. Anyway, within three weeks of taking the loading dose I felt normal again. I was really sceptical about it until I took it. Now I supplement daily and given how awful I felt I will continue to do so forever.

Worth noting for anyone perimenopausal or postmenopausal, the body's ability to process vitamin D decreases as a result or oestrogen decline, so supplementation becomes even more important.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

Thank you for sharing! I am so glad to hear you’ve found it helped and am feeling hopeful

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these_metal_hands@reddit

I use an oral spray and have done for years. I'm not deficient and since starting I've found I don't get as depressed in the winter.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

What’s the flavour of it like? I’m a bit of a wimp with gross stuff

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No_Intern5991@reddit

The flavouring ingredients are peppermint oil and xylitol (an artificial sweetener) so it's basically the same ingredients as chewing gum and tastes like it.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

Brilliant thank you!

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sam_haigh@reddit

I've been using betteryou the 1000 one kinda tastes pepperminty. I prefer sprays as im terrible with tablets and if something tastes bad it puts me off taking it.

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these_metal_hands@reddit

Doesn't taste like much. Kinda hard to describe, but it's not unpleasant at all.

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June_Osborn3@reddit

This! The D3 + K2 spray took my levels from 30 to >80 in a few months.

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lil_tram@reddit

I also take this, so good

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Apprehensive_Bus_543@reddit

I think if you tested most people in the UK during the winter their levels would be deemed as low. In modern society some people might even be considered low in the summer, depends on your work and lifestyle. I take vitamin D every winter, I’m still not personally convinced it makes much difference,

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mimidaler@reddit

I test myself and my family twice a year using the tests you can buy in boots. We take D3+K2 when needed ( I particularly don’t always need it) and spend as much time as possible outside. If I get deficient I generally know, I’m more lethargic, a bit grumpy and everything feels harder.

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NoobOfTheSquareTable@reddit

Worked in the arctic a bit so had to start taking the tablets and then just kept taking them in the UK. Hard to notice the difference because of the year gap but when thinking back it’s been way most stable over the UK winter with it

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No-Jicama-6523@reddit

Given this started with bone pain, I’d get colecalciferol, which is D3, it promotes calcium absorption.

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Jimiheadphones@reddit

I had almost Rickets level of Vit D Deficiency. I got put on a really high dosage of Vit D and I felt better in days. I take daily 3000 IU vitamin D tablets, plus a multivitamin, iron and magnesium. I genuinely feel the difference when I'm off it for a bit. I'm tired all the time, depressed, anxious and I can't sleep well. I try to get out in the sun for a bit when I can too, but that isn't enough to keep me above the level I need, so I take tablets.

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gregRichards2002@reddit

I use the Vitamin D 4000 spray and my blood tests show it is working. The spray is better for me because I have Crohn’s and I don’t absorb Vitamin D tablets well.

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seaneeboy@reddit

I’ve been taking a vitamin D tablet once a day and honestly it’s done wonders. It’s meant that for two years in a row I’ve not had the crushing inevitably of a Big Cold that lasts for about 3 months over winter.

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destria@reddit

I started taking daily vit D and iron tablets after blood tests showed they were low. The combo of the two has made me have so much more energy.

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Heavy-Locksmith-3767@reddit

I was diagnosed deficient a year or two ago and now I take a supplement during the winter. I take multivitamins anyway so I don't worry about it except when it's really dull and gloomy. I had similar symptoms - tendonitis in my elbows from the gym, it's gone completely since.

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Glittering-Wall2557@reddit

Supplements aren’t snake oil, they’re genuinely useful if you are deficient in something. Vitamin D3 is definitely legitimate, most of us in the UK are deficient purely due to lack of sunlight for six months of the year. Don’t take massive doses constantly as that can cause you to absorb too much calcium but a low dose (4,000 IU) taken most days with food (for better absorption) is worthwhile.

Most pre menopausal women are also iron deficient - thanks to menstruation - but the normal ranges don’t always account for this. If you’re at the lower end and female, especially if you exercise a lot, it doesn’t harm to take an iron supplement (but again don’t overdo it).

If it’s something that can be measured by an NHS lab and there is a treatment for deficiency it’s not snake oil.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I’m not saying that I now think of them as snake oil. I’m saying I never paid much mind to supplements and didn’t think they were effective but I now am prescribed them. I was just curious about how other people manage vit D in the UK and whether they feel the benefits of doing so.

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Glittering-Wall2557@reddit

Ah sorry that was my bad and not reading your post properly.

I found out I was quite deficient maybe 18 months ago? And I had felt quite tired but put it down to general winter blues. My joints ached (noticeably but not in a debilitating way) especially my finger joints weirdly (which I do get as a PMS symptom but it was most of the time). It wasn’t a drastic improvement but my joints don’t ache anymore and my sleep is a lot better (also taking magnesium which Vitamin D helps absorption of and helps sleep).

The NHS recommends taking it throughout October to March at least.

It’s interesting because I didn’t used to pay that much attention to overall nutrition but started tracking calories and macronutrients more recently, and it’s amazing how much difference eating the right things in (mostly) the right quantities makes to how you feel overall.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

My finger joints have been absolutely killing me recently but I just found out I have an autoimmune condition and put it down to that. I also get worse joint pain near my time of the month. Interesting to hear you’ve found vitamin D helpful even with struggling with these symptoms normally and definitely makes me feel hopeful!

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Objectively_bad_idea@reddit

I take a multivitamin + iron tablet every day, which includes D3. I don't see a downside: it's cheap (good old Home Bargains), and between vitamin D being an issue, me having tested low for iron and folate at different times (a lot of women end up slightly low on iron), vitamin C being a good idea for immune system, and diet never being as perfect as it should be, it just makes sense. I notice a difference if I miss it for a couple of weeks.

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R_Eyron@reddit

No idea what my vitamin D levels are but I get really tired sometimes and it usually correlates with having forgotten to take supplements for a week or so. Whether it's placebo or not, it works for me.

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StrangerWest2756@reddit

I was sceptical too, but it actually made a noticeable difference for me.

After a few weeks the constant tiredness and that “achy” feeling eased off quite a bit. It’s not instant, but once your levels come back up you do feel it.

I still take a daily supplement now, especially in winter. In the UK it’s just hard to get enough from sunlight alone, so it’s one of those simple things that actually works.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

Brilliant to hear because I’ve been feeling so rubbish. Hoping to feel better soon!

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fords42@reddit

What do I do about it? I take vitamin D supplements. Easy.

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mrsW_623@reddit

I take 4,000 iU daily throughout the year and got my levels tested recently. They were above average but well within the normal range so all good here. Most of the OTC supplements are like 800 iU

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PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

Make every effort to get outdoors.

In theory take vitamin D supplements in winter as the NHS suggests, but I don't feel I need it with getting outdoors for a couple of hours a day at least in winter.

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liltrex94@reddit

I'm a redhead, I produce my own. My mother who doesn't have the gene has to take a supplement

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LittleSalamander77@reddit

I take it every day and feel SO much better. Just the cheap Holland and Barrett one has done for me. I work from home so am considering carrying on all year round this year as I don’t get out in the sun much

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abyssal-isopod86@reddit

I take one of these a day with my biggest meal.

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AndromedaDependency@reddit

I take 3000iu tablets daily and I've had my best winter, no illness, haven't felt as cold as I usually do, motivated. It makes a real difference

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SJTaylors@reddit

People just take a tablet. Make sure it's a dose meant for daily intake and job done, there's occasional cases of people over supplementing vitamin D and causing hypercalcemia.

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beneyh@reddit

Currently sat in Cornwall soaking up some sunshine on the balcony 🤷🏼

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Tired3520@reddit

I take D3 and K2 from British Supplements. It’s about as clean as it gets in terms of supplements.

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dartiss@reddit

I get out for at least 30 minutes a day into the sunlight, and have supplements. Other than anything fortified, I don't eat a huge amount of red meat or fish, so most in my diet comes from eggs, of which I probably only have 1 a day. The supplement is possibly not needed, though, but it's a mixed vitamin and mineral one, so part of the overall boost.

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ReynoldsHouseOfShred@reddit

Yep for the first time I crossed that threshold. Im on turbo emergency levels of vitamin d for 6 months then I will be topping it up myself.

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phetea@reddit

I take a decent multi because i have some left over from my days of one meal a day. Though i now eat atleast one serving of tinned fish per day, mostly sardines and atleast 2 eggs daily so i doubt i need it.

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Fickle-Garden4886@reddit

So here's a specific recommendation, I use the nutrition geeks 4000iu Vitamin D and K2. It is cheap at about £10/year, it comes through the letter box with quick delivery and the pills are nice and small to swallow. I had a prescribed loading dose 2 years ago and take a high dose since then on the theory they I won't remember to take it every day so it'll even out, I probably average taking every 2-4 days. I had my vitamin D retested recently as I was feeling wrecked again and I'm bang in the middle of normal range so can confirm that brand does seem to work, for me at least. Now I just have to face the face that I'm probably burned out and can't just get some more magic pills to make me feel better

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onlysmaller@reddit

I never took it until I was trying to get pregnant and it’s part of my PCOS supplements. I haven’t noticed any changes or improvements tbh. Perhaps I wasn’t deficient but I have an indoor job I really only go out to walk the dog or cycle to the gym.

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AutumnDream1ng@reddit

Yes, I felt tired in my bones this time last year - got a blood test - took Vit D tablets and it's not as bad. I take iron too. I'd moved from Kent to Yorkshire and had recently had a cancerous mole removed - guess I stayed out of the sun too much!

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exponentialism@reddit

The supplements made absolutely zero difference to me (yes I tried the high strength ones).

Going in the sun more (whenever possible) without sunscreen in most british weather however has made a massive change . I always considered myself an 'indoors' 'not summer' 'liked grey weather' person but now I see I was just wrong.

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Big_Chungussi69@reddit

I take 8000 iu of vit D3 daily. When i first started taking it as a young man i noticed a massive change, i was happy all the time, probably because my body finally got what it needed. Now though i just feel normal as my body as balanced it

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VerityPee@reddit

The loading dose is something a lot of people don’t realise is needed. Well done for getting it sorted.

For maintenance I use these ones daily and I know they work because I have my blood tested relatively frequently for other reasons:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitamin-Maximum-Strength-Supplement-Softgels/dp/B072L235Z5/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=3J7PU5KXKS9QX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-9bGeo6Ge2v6HjppImBXs62jCC8BXezohywDjVPZx1pss3JmIr0gz97oM4GPZSB3OcrPdiYQHvXn8wI5BBBDoTzYTlSi7DjWNIZ3qRQ_2of8BR_fr7D3UjRGwzChMr9ptK-UQKeXjhtyl_8ovlEaNc9ST0hiNxuegZwJY9Vzj_iYQS4iI1ZQoOpZygSiKPia31wnGQgWIyZzZc8BgUj82w.S8AmPNNVDvlmnKMWLe8hSyC19AxPxbkzns4rut1R6RE&dib_tag=se&keywords=vitamin+d&qid=1775399837&sprefix=vitamin%2Caps%2C349&sr=8-2-spons&aref=ZLWifztJjg&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

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Complex-Car-809@reddit

Everywhere North of Newcastle, children are prescribed vit D from birth to five. So I guess the evidence supports benefits outweighing costs. We definitely do not get sufficient sunlight North of 55 degrees so I take Vit D tablet each day. Took mine from deficient to low, although how body metabolises and uses supplements is more complicated than getting it through natural sources.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

No way I didn’t know this! That is really interesting to know that it’s prescribed.

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Feisty-Lifeguard-550@reddit

Yeah I get it off my Dr , ask your dr to stick it on your prescription

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I knew you can get it if you need it but I just mean I didn’t know it was given as standard to little ones in Scotland.

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Complex-Car-809@reddit

Apologies it is up to three years old in Scotland, but the deficiency is bad enough to warrant Scottish Government advice to take supplements.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/vitamin-d-advice-for-parents/

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wickedwix@reddit

One actimel and a multivitamin everyday, been doing that for a few months and I feel so much better

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

Oooh I used to love an actimel and forgot they existed! Adding to shopping list

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Whatiii@reddit

If you generally feel tired/lethargic/have other problems that seem minor (skin, nails, hair, tiredness, often getting pins and needles/numbness etc), make an appointment to see the GP, as you did. I had some issues that were minor, and they found a few issues from blood tests from them. Before the issues became series and caused any long term damage. Didn't help my issues - other things are causing them - but it was spotted early so didn't have a chance to get worse.

In terms of time it should take to be effective. Call your GP and just ask (reception can usually ask a GP and pass it back to you while you are on the phone) and if you don't start feeling better by that time make another appointment to see the GP. Its always good to ask this question after every appointment and make a note of the answer, as it sets your expectation and tells you when to make a follow up appointment. The doctor will tell you what things to look out for/if there is nothing and when to see them again/if it a certain thing is urgent. They have to make notes at the end of an appointment anyway, its a great time to make yours (what to do next, instructions to follow) when you are still there to ask questions.

Just take what you need, buying them from any reputable place they should all be fine. I just use Boots vitamin D as its cheap and easy for me to get. Some others I need I have to go to more expensive stores (health food/supplement ones) that actually stock them.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I’m just asking for personal experiences here, I did speak to my GP about my questions in my appointment.

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craftaleislife@reddit

Not a scam. I had blood tests to confirm and vitamin D also helps your body to absorb calcium for better bone health (as someone who’s susceptible to tibial stress fractures from regular sport)

It absolutely works.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I really liked Vitabiotics when I was iron deficient so this looks a good shout for me!

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cowbutt6@reddit

I take a 25μg vitamin D tablet (Lidl sell them cheaply) every day between October and April per https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

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orlinito@reddit

Vitamin D + K, Magnesium and Collagen are vital for me.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I’ve been looking into collagen to support an autoimmune condition I’ve got but the evidence is mixed. Any recommendations for brands that worked for you?

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orlinito@reddit

I am taking Codeage Bone Broth Collagen

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randomgaydisaster@reddit

Currently dealing with it by the fact the sun is showing itself for once on my walk home...

While I'm getting hailed on at the same time

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ShineAtom@reddit

I take Vit D3 4000iu with Vit K2 every day all year round. It is the high strength one but I don't get enough sun to make my own because I burn at the drop of a hat and so spend summer and parts of spring and autumn covered up along with Factor50 UVA/UVB on any bit that might glimpse the sun. 😂😂

I don't know whether I really feel a difference but I do know that without it (and yes, this contradicts the earlier part of the sentence) I feel worse in the winter. Aside from this, the only other supplement I take is some Omega3.

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Upset_Measurement_31@reddit

Nutrition geeks are really good, I got some of their vit D free through work a couple of years ago and have been buying it myself ever since

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MillyMcMophead@reddit

Yeah all my vitamins are Nutrition Geeks stuff. I take D3 + K2 daily all year round. Also their Magnesium, Iron+, B12 and Turmeric. I also take a high dose Vitamin C daily too.

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Iwantedalbino@reddit

Not a deliberate decision but we get enriched milk delivered by our Macqueens milk man for the kids.

I clicked on the wrong 4pinter.

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whatatwit@reddit

There's a What's Up Docs on this subject.

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, Chris and Xand will shine a light on…light. They discuss why the sun can help lift our mood, and its effects on our sleep and general wellbeing. Joining them to discuss this is Professor Hester Parr, a professor of Human Geography with an interest in sunlight's effect on mental health and runs the research group Living with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002tbl4

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EpochRaine@reddit

Taking supplements and going for walks.

The walking is a pain in the ass (literally sometimes), the supplements I am finding easy ;)

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Goldf_sh4@reddit

I take a mutivitamin and I walk my dog.

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ribenarockstar@reddit

Between my vitamin D specific supplement and my multivitamin I’m on 30 μg per day - I thought my thyroid medication needed reviewing so went in for an extra blood test last spring and the doctor was like ‘your thyroid meds are fine but you need vitamin D.’ I take the HABI gummy ones from Boots.

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Illustrious-Bass9651@reddit

Remember Vit D is fat soluble- it is only released when the body needs it. Take with vit K, plenty sunshine you should be ok. But never overdose on it… toxic confusion!

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AV1052@reddit

Ask in H&B for what they think the appropriate dose is. I accidentally bought the super strength one until my friend who works there told me I don't need that

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misterriz@reddit

I've paused due to current ongoing chemotherapy, but normally I take multivitamins, vit d, folic acid, magnesium, zinc and l-citrulline supplements every day.

It's hard to say the impact because I started taking them at the same time as a full body and behavioural change around 18 months ago, including stepping up cardio and resistance training, improving diet and taking 5mg tadalafil daily.

Ironically aged 40 I felt in far better health than ever when I got diagnosed with bowel cancer 😂

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Alarmed_Lunch3215@reddit

Taking more than the nice levels because to correct a deficiency is different to maintenance. Plus I have lupus so I’m basically a vampire.

You can take high levels so long as it’s paired with k2, and the toxic levels are insane.

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StillJustJones@reddit

I’ve been taking a high dose of vitamin D for years. 5000 iu a day in the summer and 10000 iu a day in the winter. I regularly have my bloods done my levels have been barely within the normal ranges.

I’ve now switched from tablets to the liquid vitamin D3 oral spray.

I’d read that Vitamin D3 sprays enable faster absorption through the mouth's mucous membranes (bypassing the digestive system).

My Vit D levels have been much better as a result.

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Deeps159@reddit

I got diagnosed with a severe vitamin D deficiency about 8 years ago. At the time I had never really heard much about it, not like you do vitamin C or the B vitamins. I ended up having to frontload 400,000iu over 4 weeks to kick start my recovery. I say recovery because I didn't realise the vitamin D deficiency was causing several ongoing issues at the time, interrupted 3 hours of sleep per night, depression, lethargic, back to back colds, pain in my shoulder bone. I was so messed up but I started vitamin D everyday since as reccommended by my doctor and never looked back. I see the importance of vitamin D to our health as important as good foundations for a house, if either are missing, everything eventually crumbles.

In the UK we're tilted too far away from the sun to get the right amounts during September to March. Not that getting it from the Sun in the summer is healthy, its carried in UVB rays which High exposure to isn't great either. People with more melanin in their skin are also more prone to suffer vitamin D issues as their skin basically reflects the rays better. Hence why POC are less likely to get sun burnt etc. Hence why doctors do tend to recommend you slap on the sunscreen and take something to get your vitamin D.

I used to take the vitabiotics Vitamin D all the time. Started on 1,000iu daily but eventually went to 2,000iu. They work fine as my blood tests showed i got back to normal levels on these. If you're highly deficient it can take at least 6 months before tyou start to feel more normal, a year to get to the right place. That's at least what happened with me.

I recently switched to Aavalabs, vitamin D with K2 in extra virgin olive oil. A bit more expensive but wanted to make sure I was absorbing as much as possible. More expensive but I've had no issues on these. Also I like to take all my vitamins first thing so I don't forget any and vitamin D being oil soluble means I should be absorbing it better on these.

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thermalcat@reddit

One tablet a day all year round. Massively changed how bad winter is. Hair, nails, and skin also much healthier.

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shimmybee@reddit

I’ve been taking vitamin D taking supplements for about 5 months now, I can’t believe how much stronger my nails are now. They used to bend like a sheet of paper, it fascinates me how strong they’ve become in such a short period of time! I swear my eyelashes are slightly longer too, didn’t expect that one

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jennejy@reddit

I've always struggled with anxiety and depression anyway, but I ran out of Vit D tablets for a couple of weeks in the depths of January this year and my mental health absolutely nosedived. Didn't really make the connection until I bought a new packet and felt a lot better about a week into taking them 😅

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Braylien@reddit

Been taking pretty high dose D3 daily since covid and it has been great, I have rheumatoid arthritis and it really helps that as well as general good health. I very rarely get any colds etc these days too which I think is the vit D

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RaymondBumcheese@reddit

Supplements. I also got diagnosed with a deficiency after blood tests. Felt like hammered shit all the time and the doctor said he’d lost count of the number of people with the same diagnosis

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megasin1@reddit

You're right in the sense that vitamins are snake oil until you're deficient. If you skip vitamin c for long enough you'll get scurvy. Low on iron you'll get anaemic. But if you're eating fruit you don't need a vitamin c tablet. Most of the vitamin in the tablet is just going to be added to your urine. And that's after adding work to your kidneys to get it into your urine.

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WhatWouldMedusaDo@reddit

I have bloods done really frequently and I've only ever been low in ironing while pregnant but I've been taking some vitamins for a while now, VitD being one. I think they're doing something

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thewatchbreaker@reddit

I’m not vitamin D deficient, which is so rare that my GP sounded surprised when she told me lmao.

I eat enormous amounts of salmon and eggs so that’s probably why I’m not deficient even though I rarely go outside.

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atomic_mermaid@reddit

I used to take vitamin D throughout the winter, one spring I had a blood test which included a vitamin D check and I was still deficient. They gave me some mega dose ones for a bit to bump it up and now I take it all year.

I also make extra efforts to get some outside time every day especially in winter, which I def didn't do before. I'm a night owl so I'm more up and active in the evening but sadly the moon doesn't do much for vitamin D!

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Potential-Bird-5826@reddit

I've been taking vitamin D as a supplement, from a company called Lynden for years, all throughout the year and I notice when I don't take it for a few days.

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LisaandNeil@reddit

It's significant an issue enough for Vitamin D to be apart of government policy for some while. Everyone is advised to take a Vit D supplement from October to April.

Having noted the output of a DIY solar battery charging project we got into and have enjoyed - the difference between sunlight levels in October or April as compared to Mid December is viciously obvious and folks definitely feel that in their mood and general wellbeing.

So, yes, Vit D squirty spray with Vit K included (which somehow helps it get absorbed) on both our desks through Winter so we don't forget to take it.

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mrbadger2000@reddit

Tabs fron Lidl. One a day. Fixed my deficiency

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Miss_Type@reddit

I take vitamin D tablets throughout autumn and winter, and term time (when I don't get much sun!) during the spring and summer too. Apparently it's the only supplement NICE recommend to all children and adults in the UK.

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colin_staples@reddit

I take a Vitamin D supplement every day, they are cheap at Aldi.

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ab_2404@reddit

I work outside so I get vitamin d from the sun and never considered taking suplements.

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bristoltim@reddit

Vit D supplements all year round, and sunbathing whenever I can usually from late Feb to late Nov. As long as the windchill isn't too bad, and the frostline is past my feet, then the deer and the hares in the field behind get an eyeful. Do I care, especially with a couple bottles homebrew alcoholic antifreeze? Er, no. Retired of course.

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Cak556@reddit

Yeah I just take a tab everyday. I like to run, hike and trail run, and Vitamin D is perhaps the most useful supplement for me to take for this. Good for calcium absorption and low levels of D are associated with muscle weakness, aches and higher injury risk. It costs next to nothing so seems like a no brainer to me.

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Sburns85@reddit

I get it through a multi vitamin. But my levels were ok when last tested among other tests a month ago

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nonotthereta@reddit

Best to take it in liquid form (any brand should do). Vitamin D3 with K2. That's the most bioavailable form, and the K2 is important to make sure the calcium your body is absorbing (vit D encourages calcium uptake) is sent to the right place.

It basically solved SAD for me. I was never deficient by NHS standards, but NHS standards are about avoiding disease; they don't account for mental health, or care about optimal levels, so long as you're out of the alarm bells range.

This winter just gone, I didn't bother supplementing (probably a little lax after the extra sunny summer we'd had), and MY GOD I sure got hit by the SAD stick again.

I personally like to keep an eye on it by doing at home blood tests every six months or so. The first time, that enabled me to learn how quickly my levels rose vs the amount I was taking, so I didn't risk overdoing it. Sensible to do if your GP doesn't give you a repeat test. It's only about £30.

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Sparko_Marco@reddit

Never heard anything about needing supplements in the UK for it, I've never taken any and as far as I know have no issues. I assume we get what vitamins we need from the food we eat.

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VegetableMix3751@reddit

I used to think it was placebo until one day I started feeling giddy while sat on the toilet and the only thing I could link to it was starting vitamin d and hour before that

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goodmythicalmickey@reddit

I take Boots' extra strength vitamin D tablets October-March and then swap to their A-Z tablets the rest of the year and it's really helped my mood and life in general.

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DeafeninglySilent@reddit

Worth noting that Vitamin D is also essential for the absorbtion of calcium.

This is why doctors encourage vitamin D drops for breastfed babies, due to the risk of rickets due to poor calcium absorbtion.

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Dark_Akarin@reddit

I go for a walk every day after work and a vit d pill in the winter if I don’t

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Fit-Obligation4962@reddit

I take about 400 u tab a day.Its quite a low dose but my diet is ok in vit D . Live in north Scotland and at work during peak sunlight hours.

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Purrtymeow04@reddit

That’s too low 2-3k daily is better

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Fit-Obligation4962@reddit

There are risks to taking too much so that’s why because I have a vit d rich diet stick to 400 which is apparently ok to maintain a healthy level. I don’t get colds or bugs whilst everyone around me seems to be ill so I feel it could be working

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Rextherabbit@reddit

use a generic multivit from Lidl. couple of quid for a months supply.

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mo_oemi@reddit

Same but from Boots, they usually have 2 for 3 offers, get 90X3 and that's most of the winter supply sorted!

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yiddoboy@reddit

I've been taking vitamin D tablets daily for about 3 years ... double the dose in winter .. and I've been getting far fewer colds etc than the rest of my family... and when I do get them they last less time. It definitely improves your immune system.

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setokaiba22@reddit

Most people aren’t doing anything about it tbh as they probably don’t even know

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BoopingBurrito@reddit

I can tell when my partner (who comes from a hot, sunny country) is getting a bit too vitamin D deficient. His anxiety becomes a fuckton worse, and he starts to develop muscle and joint pain. A few days of supplements and he's sorted. I try to keep on top of it and make sure he's just taking the supplement most days to avoid it getting into that sort of situation.

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Most_Art507@reddit

I do take a D3 supplement, but I don't take vitamin K2 as I've heard it can cause palpitations.

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Capable_Tip7815@reddit

I take vitamin D3 with vitamin K. I get mine from a German supplement company - I get my whey and creatine from them.

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QueefInMyKisser@reddit

I take these because I’m sometimes a bit of a troglodyte and don’t always have the best diet

Vitamin D 1000iu https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NC3DJK7

Centrum Advance Multivitamin https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XRVTYN3

It’s probably overkill but then again haven’t been ill since the second time I got covid back in 2022

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QueefInMyKisser@reddit

I take these because I’m sometimes a bit of a troglodyte and don’t always have the best diet

Vitamin D 1000iu https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NC3DJK7

Centrum Advance Multivitamin https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XRVTYN3

It’s probably overkill but then again I haven’t been ill since the second time I got covid back in 2022

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thelajestic@reddit

I've been taking it for a while because it's recommended when you're pregnant and breastfeeding, and I was pregnant and now currently breastfeeding. I took a general pregnancy multivitamin though and now on a general postnatal one.

I eat a varied and fairly balanced diet and when I had a private health check a few years ago I had no deficiencies, but babies are hard on the body, so figured I may as well. My baby gets vitamin d as well, in a multivitamin meant for babies. Per NHS recs there are a few vitamins you're meant to supplement from 6 months just in case they're not getting enough).

I feel no different when taking supplements but that makes sense since I had no deficiencies to start with 😅 I'm more hoping to prevent my baby leeching all my nutrients and causing a deficiency.

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pineappleandpeas@reddit

I take daily vit D at least from when the clocks go back til they go forward. Easiest way for me to remember. But I'm outdoorsy so I get plenty of vit D by being outside the other months of the year. If I wasn't spending sunny days running/hiking/biking then I'd just take it all year around. If I don't take vit D my mental health tanks over winter and by February I'm a shell of the person I am in summer.

Vitamins being snake oil - if you have a varied diet with lean protein, plenty of fruit and vegetables then that should cover basically everything else you need. Most people struggle with vit D from diet alone, even with a decent diet. If you have a limited diet then you probably would benefit from other vitamins.

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Milam1996@reddit

From October to March ish it’s impossible to make vitamin D. After those dates you can make vitamin D with a daily dose of touching grass and going outdoors. It’s roughly 15 mins of sun exposure on a forearm for your daily dose.

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

I am outside for more than 15 mins per day so maybe I’ll see an improvement now the weather is brighter

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Kapika96@reddit

I don't believe in "vitamins". Just a scam so companies can charge you for more products.

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Milam1996@reddit

Enjoy the broken bones I guess.

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Indigo-Waterfall@reddit

You don’t believe in vitamins? That’s a new one..

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BowiesFixedPupil@reddit

Well Vitamin D is not technically a Vitamin so that's good.

Vitamins do Exist tho', as does "Vitamin D".

It isn't difficult to find peer reviewed papers that cover them.

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EngineeringCockney@reddit

Go on holiday

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rezonansmagnetyczny@reddit

I was taking vitamin d but it was fucking up my circadian rythm and stopping me sleeping, even when taken in the morning 🙃

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beernon@reddit

Magnesium Glycinate may have helped you

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beernon@reddit

If you’re severely deficient and need to get your levels up fast, take a ‘loading dose’ ie 10,000iu once a week for 7 weeks, then take a normal daily dose.

You’re supposed to get blood test beforehand ideally.

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Maleficent-Win-6520@reddit

Vitamins ( centrum for men) and get out into the daylight for walks whenever you can.

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Gloomy_Custard_3914@reddit

I take it all year round, I just get a box from savers or superdrug. I also try to eat fortified foods and spend time outdoors.

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TheHolidayArtist@reddit

I travel a lot and chase the sun as much as I can

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Spicymargx@reddit (OP)

Username checks out

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Fine_Cress_649@reddit

Scottish government guidelines recommend it for everyone in the winter months and certain others year round.

There's some evidence for omega 3 and creatine supplements. A lot of the rest is bollocks.

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Tablet do help massively so do take them , after a few days you will notice your mood changes and your more positive

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