Taking Vitamin D for Your MS? Use It Wisely
Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) use vitamin D supplements. I’ve been popping a 2,000 IU tablet of vitamin D3 each morning for many years. And with good reason.
Studies show that having an adequate blood level of vitamin D may lower a person’s risk of developing MS. Research also indicates the nutrient may be beneficial for people who already have MS by reducing the severity of symptoms and lengthening the time that it takes to move from relapsing to progressive MS. But, without monitoring the vitamin’s use, it can be harmful.
Vitamin D overdose
The Irish Medical Journal reported about a man with MS and the story demonstrated the risks associated with overconsumption of vitamin D. The man, who was 45 years old and restricted to a wheelchair because of his MS, had been vomiting, constipated, and lethargic for over a week. In the emergency room, blood tests revealed that he had severe hypercalcemia — in layman’s terms, too much calcium — as well as an acute kidney injury.
A small study in 2016 found that a daily dose of vitamin D3 as high as 10,400 IU was safe. However, the duration of the pilot study was only six months. The man in the above case had been taking roughly that amount of the vitamin — but for almost two years. He told doctors he hadn’t seen a neurologist in seven years.
How much vitamin D is too much?
A neurologist responding to a patient’s question on the Mayo Clinic’s website stated that The Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine) recommends 600 IU a day for adults up to age 70 and 800 IU a day for those 71 and older — no more than 4,000 IU a day.
If someone is diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency, a weekly dose of 50,000 IU for up to three months is recommended until levels normalize. Afterward, a maintenance dose of between 2,000 and 5,000 IU a day is advised.
Talk it over with your neuro
The Irish Medical Journal article reports, “There is increasing evidence to support a beneficial effect of vitamin D on the inflammatory component of MS, and correction of vitamin D insufficiency in MS patients is recommended.” But problems arise due to the wide availability of vitamin supplements. Walk into any pharmacy and you will see vitamin D products of varying strengths sitting on the shelves.
In her presentation at ACTRIMS Forum 2017, neurologist Ellen Mowry of Johns Hopkins MS Center in Baltimore said, “I tell my patients that Vitamin D is also a medication and even though it is available over the counter you still need to be followed by the doctor.” She suggested a daily dose of 5,000 IU for the “average” person with MS.
The bottom line is that a lot of evidence exists showing that vitamin D, whether derived naturally from sunlight or artificially in a tablet, can be beneficial to someone with MS. But don’t use it like the guy in Ireland did. If you’re considering a vitamin D supplement or you’re already taking one, talk it over with your physician.
I’m interested in hearing about your vitamin D experiences. Please share in the comments below.
You’re invited to visit my personal blog at www.themswire.com.
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Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
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Ian Sayce
I take 4000 IU of SOLGAR D3 daily and have felt no ill effects for doing so. Upon looking into the label..It reads that it carries 100 micrograms. I'm not sure which value to believe.
FB
You can "believe" both of them - they are just different measurement units - 1,000 IU = 25 micrograms (mcg).
https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/why-is-vitamin-d-continuing-to-be-measured-in-international-units/#.XY6w-1UzZaQ
Tamara Johnson
I take 50,000 mcg weekly. I find that it helps me be more myself. Even my neur says first week of month take 2. Wow, everyone is different how u explain that? My balance and walking is bad.
dave kirchner
The article is very confusing, within 2 paragraphs it gives 4 different 'no more than' quantities.
W
I was a bit deficient in vitamin D. The last time I had blood labs, the D levels were a little high. The nurse had me drop the dosage to bring things down, but the levels weren't a major concern. I was thankful that I had the blood-work done, though, as I felt no difference between the lower and higher levels.
Glenn
I take 10,000IU a day and can just keep my bloods in the mid point of the range. Neither my Neuro or my GP can explain why such a high dose doesn’t have an impact on me.
Megan Dunn
Have you had genetic testing done? It may reveal why this happens… VDR mutations can decrease the ability to get vitamin d, so more is required to meet the maintenance dose! (I speak from experience). Also an indicator of risk for MS… for a person who is lucky enough not to have symptoms yet!
Caroline
I was told to take up to 60,000 IU when I was diagnosed - thought this was crazy!! I got sooo sick, and went down to 25000 IU and now I take around 4000 IU. I wish I could take a Vitamin D blood test to check my levels, but here in Vancouver they doctors don’t check!
Tim Carter
I give my wife 2,000 IU daily vit D3. This has been my own choice after doing a little research. Her neurologist has not even made any attempt to measure her vit D levels. We hope to see some other doctors soon. If I was a neurologist I would probably make vit D measurements of ms patients standard. This article does not mention how other minerals/supplements can effect vit D absorbtion (vit K comes to mind). May want to mention that next time. Thx
Ed Tobias
Thanks for the suggestion, Tim. I'll do that if I write something else on this subject.
Ed
Peter
Why do we never seem to hear any comment re the vitamin D protocol of Professor Coimbra of San Paulo University, Brazil?
It appears to CURE. Germany has sent 6 GPs to be trained by him and his team.
Michael
Hello all...
I am amazed at the ignorance of our medical society in regard to MS and the Vit D (Calciferol) hormone connection. In my humble opinion a plant based whole food diet combined with the Coimbra Protocol can change your MS lifestyle. I take 100,000 iu daily with supporting supplements. I turned vegan to add to the mix and lost incredible amounts of weight. I am under a doctors supervision while taking this amount of Vit D. Periodic blood and unrine analysis (to start every 3 months) to keep me safe. 2.5 liters of water daily. Could barely walk from chair to chair across a room. Could not stand for too long without the support of a wall. I run sprints now... To date 5 Coimbra trained doctors in the USA. Doctor Tressa Pinkelton is my Washington State doctor. She does telemedicine as well as brick and mortar visits. She works at the Seattle Naturopath Center and specializes in autoimnune diseases.
My final opinion: Money hungry USA doctors and phamaceutical companies will find no real profit in this therapy. Vitamin D and supporting supplements are cheap.
Best of luck...
Heather
Michael, I would be interested in asking you a few questions regarding your comment, I'm very intrigued!
Robert Theobald
You do not appear to mention Vitamin K2.K2 should be taken along with higher doses of Vit D3. The K2 puts the calcium into the bones where it should be and not into the soft tissues(hypercalcaemia). My wife and I take 10,000 iu of D3 with 400mcg of K2. The Vit D3 uses up magnesium so we take a supplement of that along with zinc.
People who drink much alcohol need more magnesium as the alcohol uses up magnesium.
My friend suffered from chronic asthma, a respiratory tract disease. He resolved to read all he could in order to try to cure himself. He came across Jeff T Bowles book. « The Miraculous Cure and Prevention of All Diseases, What Doctors Never Learned « He has taken 5000 iu of D3 along with 400mcg of K2 for 5 days per week (he takes the weekend off) for 5 years and has not had a recurrence of asthma. He takes 25mg of zinc daily. He also drinks a glass of magnesium chloride every day. He makes up 1 litre of the solution with filtered water and magnesium chloride flakes and sips it through the day.
Mureed
Michael how do I contact you?