Many years ago, one of the professors at work was using an early microcomputer (we didn't call them PCs back then) to write a paper and the publisher told him he needed to change the font he was using to one compatible with their printing system. This he duly did, but unknowing to him, the new font didn't include the Greek 'micro' symbol, so the word processor (possibly WordPerfect) automatically substituted lower-case 'm', resulting in a published paper with dose data that was 1000 times those he actually used! Didn't go down well!
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
A big Thank You to Punkdoc for raising this thread.
I was brought up to believe that if you have a reasonably healthy, varied diet then you don't need to take vitamin supplements. However, having done a bit of reading around, it does seem as though that is not the current thinking when it comes to Vit D3 in winter months.
I suffer with lowish mood, am a bit prone to URTIs and of an age where bone density can be a concern (although I don't think I have a problem). It may be prudent for me to consider taking this particular supplement.
I can't see that there are any real contraindications to taking it other than having high calcium blood levels, maybe kidney stones and perhaps regular steroid medication. None of those apply to me. Are you aware of anything else to consider @punkdoc?
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
Don't worry @JennyJ, plenty of Drs. get confused when talking micrograms, milligrams and international units, but hopefully ug. and mcg makes it easier.
That's somewhat worrying! I know the difference between micro- and milli- (from physics background - all the SI unit prefixes and the abbreviations for the more common ones were drummed into my head) and I would expect a doctor to know as well. I felt silly for not realising that @fire meant micro- not milli- and thinking her/his? vitD dose was a thousand times bigger than it actually is. Unfortunate that someone chose a greek letter for micro- that's not the most straightforward thing to type. I don't know exactly what an IU is because that's (I think) a specific medical/pharmaceutical term not an SI unit.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
It is very rare indeed to see high Calcium levels, except in some rather unpleasant diseases. I think as long as you stick to a reasonable dose, then you will not have any problems. I certainly believe that it has made a significant difference to my Winter mood, although obviously that is totally unscientific. I am also a great believer in light boxes over the Winter month, and so easy to do if sitting in front of the computer for a few hours.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
I would be concerned about buying any vitamin tablets online, you have no way of knowing whether they are a good quality and what they say they are, or totally false.
Don't worry @JennyJ, plenty of Drs. get confused when talking micrograms, milligrams and international units, but hopefully ug. and mcg makes it easier.
@JennyJ - I think the discussion of terms is important. More and more people are looking closely at what they are being prescribed, how these things work and how they might effectively supplement and manage their own health better for specific conditions. Now internet access is more universal, and good, strong sources for info, we can ask these questions and find detailed answers. It's part of our education.
I was not familiar with μg and IUs until I started taking vit D. I tend to make the verbal slip of saying milligrams rather than micrograms as I use milligrams a lot for for cooking.
It's good to explore and discuss the ins and outs.
That looks like a good price, for almost a whole year's supply for one person. I think it was me misunderstanding the units that said 5000mg was a huge dose. 5000 IU not so much (bigger than the current NHS recommendation which says don't take more than 4000 IU, but maybe that isn't up to date with current research).
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I would be concerned about buying any vitamin tablets online, you have no way of knowing whether they are a good quality and what they say they are, or totally false.
Doctors I have known have recommended Biovea to me as a company. I wouldn't buy from a brand you don't know well. Don't be tempted by cheapo offers on Ebay or Amazon, as yes, you have no idea what you're getting and no easy way of checking.
Make sure the bottle or pill packs you receive are sealed.
5000 IU not so much (bigger than the current NHS recommendation which says don't take more than 4000 IU, but maybe that isn't up to date with current research).
I'm follow advice of an ME/thyroid consultant, following detailed blood work over the last two years. It seems to be helping.
Posts
I was brought up to believe that if you have a reasonably healthy, varied diet then you don't need to take vitamin supplements. However, having done a bit of reading around, it does seem as though that is not the current thinking when it comes to Vit D3 in winter months.
I suffer with lowish mood, am a bit prone to URTIs and of an age where bone density can be a concern (although I don't think I have a problem). It may be prudent for me to consider taking this particular supplement.
I can't see that there are any real contraindications to taking it other than having high calcium blood levels, maybe kidney stones and perhaps regular steroid medication. None of those apply to me. Are you aware of anything else to consider @punkdoc?
I think as long as you stick to a reasonable dose, then you will not have any problems.
I certainly believe that it has made a significant difference to my Winter mood, although obviously that is totally unscientific.
I am also a great believer in light boxes over the Winter month, and so easy to do if sitting in front of the computer for a few hours.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
we've got these, cheaper now than last year £6.47. For 360 tiny tablets.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079H1NVYY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I think it was me misunderstanding the units that said 5000mg was a huge dose. 5000 IU not so much (bigger than the current NHS recommendation which says don't take more than 4000 IU, but maybe that isn't up to date with current research).