What is desired level of Vitamin D for those with osteoporosis?

Posted by ripley @ripley, Apr 26, 2024

I'm trying to find out what the desired blood levels of Vitamin D should be if you have osteoporosis, My levels have always been on the low side of the range 30-100. Six months ago it was 27.8 so my Dr increased my Vitamin D supplement to 3,000 IU/day. Now my levels are 40.9. I read they should be above 50. Can anyone provide more information?

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Profile picture for lizzie12 @lizzie12

I was told the same, 2000 D and 1200 Calcium.

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@lizzie12 I vary my D3 with the season and with the med I am on. For Tymlos I took 3,000 units. Now I am back to 2,000 or even alternating 1,000 and 2,000 depending on sun. I think it is important to get tested fairly often not only to keep levels high enough but to avoid getting too high!

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Profile picture for hopefullibrarian @hopefullibrarian

There are loads of varying numbers out there on recommended vitamin D levels. Some take into account gender, age, and medical benefits. Others just provide general ranges. Those ranges not only vary withing the U.S., but are also between countries. It's all so confusing.

I did my best to find info on BMD specific levels, and found two sources that may be helpful.
The first is an article in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition from 2020 titled Vitamin D deficiency 2.0: an update on the current status worldwide.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-020-0558-y
It specifically reference levels needed for good bone health.

The second is a 2019 randomized clinical trial in JAMA titled Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Volumetric Bone Density and Bone Strength.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2748796
After having extremely low levels when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, my personal goal was to achieve and maintain a level of 70-100 ng/mL. For me that required high does of D3 supplementation in tablet form.
Here are the results of my labs from 2022 to now.

After taking 5000 IU per day of a vitamin D tincture for more than 5 years
November 2022 - 19.5 ng/mL

Switched to 5000 IU in tablet form in January 2023
May 2023 - 29.8 ng/ml

Continuing at 5000 IU in tablet form
November 2023 - 45.4 ng/ml

Increased dosage to 10000 IU in tablet form in December 2023
April 2024 - 74.6 ng/mL

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Be careful. Those high doses can be toxic! That is what happened to my sister. Get blood levels checked regularly.

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Profile picture for neshomaker123 @neshomaker123

Be careful. Those high doses can be toxic! That is what happened to my sister. Get blood levels checked regularly.

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I am keeping my levels in the mid-50's. I have been told 80 is too high. Testing can help!

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Just diagnosis with vitamin d deficiency I have osteoporosis. What would you recommend my dosage be so I can be above the 29 that I’m at right now. Is there a brand D3 that you would recommend that has also K2 I believe.

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Profile picture for taylor38 @taylor38

Just diagnosis with vitamin d deficiency I have osteoporosis. What would you recommend my dosage be so I can be above the 29 that I’m at right now. Is there a brand D3 that you would recommend that has also K2 I believe.

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My D level was 27 last year. I started taking 4000 iu daily, and within a few months I was in the 50s. I didn't want to keep going up indefinitely, so I've cut back to 3000/day.

I take a separate K2 supplement. Most of the supplements that combine K2 with D3 have rhe MK7 type of K2. There have been reports of people having issues with irregular heartbeats with that, but it's an area that is not well studied.

I take the MK4 type. MK7 lasts longer in the body, so I take MK4 twice a day.

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I am not sure what to do. I have Osteoporosis L3, L4 and S1 in my spine...I believe it’s 2.4...just begins the “osteoporosis” level. My hips and other areas are fine but I do not want to take any drugs(I would have to take shots if I did). I do eat a lot of calcium rich foods, take my daily Centrum vitamin, and Viactiv Calcium bone strengthening with 650 mg calcium and includes vitamin D & K. I walk daily and have upped my exercises, I’ve also started weightlifting. Hopefully this is a start, there’s got to be something without taking drugs. Any suggestions?

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Profile picture for jenben59 @jenben59

I am not sure what to do. I have Osteoporosis L3, L4 and S1 in my spine...I believe it’s 2.4...just begins the “osteoporosis” level. My hips and other areas are fine but I do not want to take any drugs(I would have to take shots if I did). I do eat a lot of calcium rich foods, take my daily Centrum vitamin, and Viactiv Calcium bone strengthening with 650 mg calcium and includes vitamin D & K. I walk daily and have upped my exercises, I’ve also started weightlifting. Hopefully this is a start, there’s got to be something without taking drugs. Any suggestions?

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Add collagen peptide powder to your smoothie or other drink.

The unfortunate reality is that it might not be enough. At least have a DEXA scan every year to see if you are making progress or not.

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Profile picture for njx58 @njx58

Add collagen peptide powder to your smoothie or other drink.

The unfortunate reality is that it might not be enough. At least have a DEXA scan every year to see if you are making progress or not.

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Vitamin C

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FWIW my D3 level was 31.2, at 2000IU a day. I increased it to 4000IU, and the level went to 44.6, which is right where my orthopod likes it...

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My Vitamin D levels are now consistently around 58 which my doctor says is perfect. But for years my D levels hovered around 29-30. Now many of my supplements have D added (multi-vitamin, Citracal, Nordic Naturals fish oil) and I also take an additional D separately (1000 IU) bringing up my total to 4000 IU daily.

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