Length of time to take Vitamin D2 (50,000) for osteoporosis

D3 is more effective at raising levels than D2.

I would be hesitant to take that much D2 indefinitely. I would probably try experimenting with D3, at a lower dose, and see what happens after three months. But I am not a doctor. That said. I don't think it hurts you to try it.

My D level was low, and I took 4000 IU a day and got my number over 50. I then scaled back a little bit.

I take 50,000 units of fit d weekly aiming for a goal of 40. Not there yet. From my reading, the only side effect of too much vit d is kidney stones. I agree that D 3 is generally considered more potent and longer lasting, I prefer weekly over daily dosing simply because of the number of meds I take. Also I believe if you get your vit d levels up, the mechanism by which you do this is not so important. The only article I read of a serious reaction to d2 was a very elderly woman who misunderstood the directions and took 50,000 units a day for over 6 months! Don’t forget to take vit k2 and calcium to help keep your bones strong as well. Weight bearing exercise important of course as well

My regular doc initially put me on the weekly high dose of D2 as well. When I finally met with the osteoporosis specialist, he said to stop taking the 50,000 weekly dose as it can cause spiking in levels which he doesn't want to happen (high for the first few days after you take it and lower as you near the next dose). At the specialists recommendation I have since taken 2000IU of D3 every day instead and my levels raised and stayed right where he wants to see them since. The PhD I also met with that oversees many of the osteoporosis drug trials also noted for me to take 2000IU of D3 daily - no more and no less (she was very specific on that). My mom and sister are in a different state, both also have osteoporosis and have different osteoporosis specialists - both were also told to take around 2000IU of D3 daily. As for how long we will take it, for the remainder of our lives I imagine.

Thanks for all the info; I am hesitant to take that high vitamin D especially now that my numbers are normal...and have been for a year. I would love to take D3; have a note in to my doctor but I have a feeling he won't be happy with me questioning his protocol (I've been questioning since the start of all this, and I get the feeling he picks what he feels is appropriate treatment regardless of my questions or concerns). Since there is no osteoporosis specialty, I am hesitant to change doctors as it would take a while - mine is an endo. I have had consults with gynecologist, orthopedic doc, rheumatologist and they all said take the meds; but some have different ideas of which ones, including which supplements. When I checked into Vitamin K current endo said no proven benefit (?). No explanation, no communication about perhaps trying it, no reason to not take it, etc. My sister's doctor also had her take D3. I may go ahead and do it any doc's blessing or not!

Your doctor doesn't sound very up-to-date. He's absolutely wrong about K. Also, a doctor who doesn't answer questions and won't explain things is not a good doctor. Work on finding a new doctor.

This isn't medication we're talking about. I don't see any harm in doing what you want to do with D and K vitamins, assuming you are not taking mega-doses. The usual recommendation for osteoporosis is to take D3 and K2. I personally take 3000 UI D3 a day, and 1000 mcg K2-MK4. Vitamin D is more or less a trial-and-error process for each person to determine what you need to stay in a certain range.

Try it. Maybe take 2000 IU D3 daily. Get a blood test in three months, and see what it looks like. Then adjust D3 up or down by 1000 if needed.

I recently switched PCPs. I have osteoporosis. My PCP told me to take calcium. I asked her about other supplements and wanted to discuss some specific bone supplements, like osteo sustain, fortibone etc… and she refused to discuss it with me. She said that I am wasting money on all of that and that I should take fosamax. I declined fosamax. I few months later I was diagnosed with esophagitis. The GI doctor put me on a PPI for about 5 months. I had concerns that I would worsen my osteoporosis by taking a PPI. After being on it for a few months, I asked my PCP if I could get a blood test to check levels of B12, calcium, D3 and magnesium. Initially the office said that insurance probably would not cover the test and it’s expensive. I contacted my insurance and they said it depends, they called the Dr and the Dr said my request is not clinically necessary. Basically, she didn’t want to do it from the start, but blamed it on insurance initially. So, I have now switched PCPs. I have little experience with the new PCP, but hoping he will be more likely to have some conversation re: supplements. How does everyone else get tested on vitamin levels, do you do it on your own?

I've never had an incompetent doctor like your old one. My PCP was happy to order lab tests for me. And, I think an endocrinologist would certainly include a vitamin D test if you asked. Even my cardiologist didn't mind including it. It's just one lab test in a bunch of tests; they shouldn't care.

When I was first diagnosed, my PCP said "take Fosamax and test again in two years." Wow, what a huge mistake that would have been! Nothing about testing for this or that. Luckily, I am skeptical of doctors in general, and I went to an endocrinologist. Moral of the story is: don't let your PCP treat osteoporosis. It is not their thing.

Hi there, I believe the information abt Vit.D3 is correct. I’m on it since at least 8 years due to osteoporosis. Also on Fosamax for almost 3 years. Dexa scan fine now but with a bit osteopenia still. Will stop Fosamax when I reach the three year’s target in November. Will stay in your body for decades and I’m 76 so definitely giving that up.
Vit.D3 (1.25 mg) = 50,000IU
fortnightly is the recommended dosage. Talk to your doctor again. Good luck.

Yup...I think I may just go ahead and be a bad patient and go with Vitamin D3...can't imagine why not. sometimes doctors recommend or prescribe the cheaper (insurance covers prescriptions not OTC) and (in their minds) easier (once a week for some is easier than remembering every day). That is part of the argument with Reclast...once a year and you are done! How easy and convenient! Which makes a lot of us concerned - if one has problems it isn't a pill or anything you can just stop until a year! Did have an infustion a month ago; so far so good. Also, I took K on my own MK4 but have read that MK7 may be a better choice? Any thoughts on that from anyone?

I think the folks on the MK7 bandwagon may have a misinterpretation of the studies showing that MK7 stays in the blood longer than MK4. They reason that if MK7 stays around longer that's more time you'll be getting the benefit. What I think is more likely is that the body prefers MK4 and uses it quickly. MK7 not so much, so it hangs around in the blood stream.

Also, your body sometimes converts K1 and I think other K2 variants into MK4. Your body does not choose to convert anything to MK7. I got that bit of info from Chris Masterjohn.

And finally if you scan comments on Amazon of MK7 supplements you will see a number of folks reporting some kind of unpleasant stimulation so that they cannot take MK7 or cannot take it at night.
That's my two cents!