Comment by open-source-ux | Hacker News Reader

Comment by open-source-ux | Hacker News Reader

Parent Full thread

Is it safe to take a high dose of vitamin D in supplement form? I ask only because the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK warns not to take more than 100 micrograms of vitamin D. 5000 iu (International units) is approximately 125 micrograms of vitamin D.

Here is what the NHS website says:

"What happens if I take too much vitamin D?

Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia). This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.

If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people.

Do not take more than 100 micrograms of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years."

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-...

I am not a doctor but fwiw I was told by an NHS doctor that the most recent scientific understanding of vitamin D is that the recommended dose (based on old science) is far too low and 5000 per day is a good amount for someone in the UK (due to the amount of sunlight we get on average here).

Units, please. He said micrograms and it sounds like you’re talking about IU.

Remember hearing a podcast (the drive peter attia with someone else) and they were saying up to 10k iu there is no harm, anyway I heard somewhere else that vitamin D also overexpreses ACE2 so you probably just want to take between 1k and 2k covid 19 wise. Not a doc though

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-vitamin-d-is-t...

"According to the Institute of Medicine, 4000 IU is the safe upper level of daily vitamin D intake. However, doses up to 10,000 IU have not been shown to cause toxicity in healthy individuals"

Probably God to avoid testing the limit if you can.

Are you sure you are a "healthy individual", if you've already diagnosed a health problem that vitamin D can treat?

My doctor believes it's safe, at least. I take 15000 IU on his advice (ramped up in 5000 IU increments until my bloodwork came back with acceptable levels).

Wow. 1 IU is the biological equivalent of 0.025 mcg cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol

Is there any nutrient that is essential in a smaller quantity than that?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com