Balancing Vitamin D, Calcium and Magnesium

by Lorri
(Northampton UK)

I suffer from SAD even on a cloudy summer day and am investigating taking a Vit D supplement. I am planning to start with 2000 ig. However, I have always had constipation and have read Vitamin D can worsen this. Having just read your pages I suspect I will need to take a considerable amount of magnesium - and will try magnesium citrate.

Whilst I will start with the 300 mg suggested I wondered if you had a guide line on how much it would be safe to take or do I simply go on until I have loose stools. When I say constipated, I could drink a bottle of lactulose solution with no effect. I haven't taken supplements up to now because I am nervous about the complex interactions between nutrients, especially calcium and magnesium. What potential problems should I be aware of with these reasonably high dosages of individual supplements and how will I recognize them?

Interplay between Vitamin D, Magnesium and Calcium

After learning about the benefits of Vitamin D, I began supplementing with 2-3000 IU per day...after about 6 weeks,I had a blood test which revealed that my level was 32.6. My doctor recommended that I continue with 2000 IU's per day, but I increased to 3-5000 IU per day, as we were heading into winter and flu season. I have not had a repeat test to see what my levels are yet. Planning on doing so in mid winter.

I also take a calcium/magnesium/zinc supplement 2 times a day...total of 666 calcium and 266 Mag, 10 zinc. I take 2000 mg of flaxseed oil per day. Recently, I read that Vitamin D supplementation can negatively affect the uptake of Magnesium and can cause calcium to be absorbed from bone if there is not a sufficient supplement of calcium into the body.

The reason I am interested in the magnesium portion of this is that I usually supplement with magnesium to help with Premature Ventricular Contractions. I have noticed, since starting the vitamin D supplementation and more so as time goes on, the PVC's are back and not controlled as much as they were. Could my Vit D supplement be affecting my magnesium uptake that much and as for calcium. What supplement amount would be enough to prevent uptake from bone...any thoughts would be appreciated!

Vit. D + Calcium + Magnesium - My Doctor = Feeling Better?

by Amy Hunter
(Aylett, Virginia,USA)

I have been telling my Doctor for the last five years of my constant back pain, feelings of hot pins poking in my arms and legs, not constantly but VERY often. The incredible fatigue I feel in my legs(upper) in walking just a short distance.

I work in an OR so walking a lot and on my feet daily is difficult. And I feel tired almost all of the time, NO ENERGY. He's always told me to keep taking my Crestor, Synthroid, Bisiprolol, baby asprin and sent me on my way. I was recently "pawned off" on a Nurse Practitioner (HE'S cutting hours)and I wasn't to pleased. SHE ordered all of the usual tests he did but also included a Vitamin D. I thought ???.

Her nurse/assist. called the other day and told me my Vitamin D level is 5.6. She said it was "extremely low". After reading this website I guess it is. Question, is this why I have been feeling like CRAP for so long?? I am on 50,000 units of Vitamin D (weekly)for 8 weeks, will be retested at that time.

Hopefully my level will be up to par and I plan to take a daily vitamin + extra D + calcium + magnesium. Sound Good?? Am I reading this all correctly. All three need to work in harmony? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks In Advance.

Amy in Virginia.

P.S. I'm glad I got "Pawned Off", now maybe I'll feel as I should!!!

Vitamin D, Magnesium and Calcium

by Melissa
(TX)

Hi,

I need to supplement with Vitamin D because of my low level. I was on Dr. Mercola's website and he stated that "Supplementation is safe as long as sarcoidosis, liver or kidney disease is not present and the diet contains adequate calcium, magnesium and other minerals." I had bloodwork taken last week and my creatinine is on the high end of normal with the range being .50-1. My level was .95. I am going to see the doctor today about this. I don't work out or eat meat so this level is probably related to kidney function from my high blood pressure, I'm guessing, which is probably from my low Vitamin D. Do you think it is safe for me to supplement with Vitamin D or magnesium?

I am probably going to be told that my creatinine will be checked again in a few months but I don't want to wait that long to start the supplements. Also, in that article it stated "Adequate calcium and magnesium, as well as other minerals, are critical parts of vitamin D therapy. Without calcium and magnesium in sufficient quantities, vitamin-D supplementation will withdraw calcium from the bone and will allow the uptake of toxic minerals." I am scared to take calcium because I took Vitamin D about a year ago without calcium and my calcium level went up to 9.7 so taking calcium would probably push it too high. Your thoughts?

Is my combination (ratio) of calc,magnesium, vit d3 0k?

I have rheumatoid arthritis, myalgia of some type. Take Ibuprofen 800 every 4 hrs, prednisone 20mg day, 2 (500mg) Vicoden before bed & morning. moved from Seattle, Wa back to Michigan & my health (pain can barely get out of bed, can't stand up straight)has been getting worse, had to increase prednisone from 4mg to 20mg, it worked for the 1st couple of weeks, but now nothing. I'm still trying to figure out the connection.

I started with 2,000 IU's of Vitamin d3, increased mag to 500mg (oxide)going to change to better absorbable type as I'm still learning from research online (also later will up d3 prob)and calcium citrate 300mg at a time (trying for at least 5x a dy). Ao question, Is d3 2000, calcium 300mg, mag 250-500mg, & after reading here started fish oil with this combo ,200mg epa 410,DHA 274 good ratio? I also having such a hard time taking supplements I need iron also,& I am a coffee drinker in morn's, & can't take iron with coffee or calcium. So taking calcium combo w/coffee, (coffee is only enjoyment so stopping not an opt) So trying to eat no calcium foods in between iron, coffee and visa versa. SO HARD. Any suggestions are APPRECIATED.

Thank-You
LF