Vitamin D3 5000 UI daily safe?

There are some dermatologists who are doing telemedicine. Make sure their credentials are stating board certified FAAD and they are based in your state.
1000 units is a safe dose.
Hope the spots are SKs
“Senior spots”.

Thanks all. I am indoors almost all the time. I do not sit in the sun because I am very fair skinned and burn easily. My Vit D levels were super low. It has been a while since I was tested but plan on getting tested next week. I have found many "old school" doctors know little about drug interactions or nutrition. (An example...my doctor prescribed diuretics - for high BP - but he also prescribed thyroid supplements. He should have known they were conflicting meds!)
I am glad he is retiring and until I find a caring doctor who actually listens - I plan on placing my health issues with a nurse practitioner who I trust!

I do not do telemedicine. There is no way I would have fears allayed unless there is a physical in person exam.

Hello @mountainlady,

It sounds like it is inconvenient for you to see a doctor, however, it also sounds like it is important for you to follow up with a physician to have these "odd skin lesions" checked out.

I would encourage you to make transportation arrangements to see a doctor in person. When you visit with the doctor it would be a good idea to request lab work to determine what your Vitamin D level is. There is no way to guess if you are getting enough from the supplements.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

I have found for the past 20+ years that I get my best medical care from my nurse practitioner, who readily consults others or refers me as needed. I was sad when she moved last year to a less stressful position, but she found a great replacement for me. Nearly all my specialists trusted her to manage my care and meds once diagnosis and treatment were identified for my various conditions, so having one caregiver who knew the "whole picture" was a blessing. It seems the new NP is quite like her.
Sue

I have a complete bloodwork examination twice a year. I get that when being tested for thyroid and other issues.
My physician is an idiot....VERY old school. I shall be glad when he retires next month. I fought with him for about 12-15 years to prescribe medication (Colchinine) for an obvious gout condition caused by conflicting medications (thyroid and diuretic meds) which I had read about. He finally admitted his error. Sadly, diuretics are an old school remedy for high BP but they also cause kidney issues!

I am a former paramedic and known a little about the human body. Luckily for me when I could not put shoes on due to the gout......talk about painful!......a Nurse Practitioner looked at it and was horrified! She prescribed the Colchinine which I only take as needed. She also gave me a "cheat sheet" indicating what foods to eliminate and what is preferred. In the past three years I have only had two flare ups.

I am not a hypochondriac but I do make arrangements to be examined as necessary. Many close friends have died or moved south and those left are working. I too still work at 81 - from home, of course!

Thank you so much for your kind response.

Ann

How wonderful that you still work from home, @mountainlady. I really appreciate the way you advocate for yourself and understand what you need. I'm glad that you are able to get to the doctor's office twice a year for blood work, etc. At first, I was under the impression that without transportation, you did not have a way to get to the doctor. It does sound like you have the means to get the help you need.

It is good that you were able to find help for the gout. Keep advocating and looking out for your medical needs. It sounds as if you understand what is needed.

I'm so sorry that you are going through so much, with no truly reliable and consistent medical professional help.

About 30 years ago, I was prescribed 5000UI of Vitamin D FOR ONE WEEK ONLY, by my then-primary care physician, following a physical with blood work that showed I was severely low in the vitamin. I don't recall having felt particularly ill at the time, just my usual fatigue from having a crazy teaching schedule, raising three children, while attending graduate school. Stress, depression, anxiety: all aspects of what defined my life, so not alarmed in any manner. Anyway, her nurse called to tell me the results, asked how I was doing...and told me that I absolutely must take the high dose (prescription sent to pharmacy) religiously for a week. What I found odd was that nothing was said about what to do at the end of that week. So I bought D3 capsules at 2000IU strength, and continued taking those. It's been over 30 years now. My D levels have been "acceptable" in all blood work. Not one doctor has commented on the level at all.

I support the idea of your being examined in person, not virtual visit, and having full work up including blood, urine. You are dealing with so much and deserve proper medical management. Perhaps a nutritionist or registered dietitian?

Please let us know what you decide to do, and how it goes for you.

Wishing you relief and better health.