D2 vs D3

There are two types of vitamin D, D2 and D3. It’s important that we know this because one type, D3, is absorbed well and the other type, D2, is not. Unfortunately, some doctors do not know the difference. They may not even realize there are two types of vitamin D, and if they do know there are two types, they may think they are both equally well absorbed or may have no idea what the difference is. I know it seems like a doctor should know these things, but the reality is, some do not.

D2 must be converted to D3 in the body in order for the body to use it. It takes a fair amount of D2 to make a little bit of D3. I’ve seen anywhere from three units of D2 to make one unit of D3 to ten units of D2 to make one unit of D3.

When your vitamin D level is low, doctors often want to give you a prescription for vitamin D. What they prescribe is called Drisdol, and it’s D2. They prescribe it in 50,000 IU soft gels, those little things that look like footballs and have oil inside. The reason they put it in oil is because vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. Being in oil is supposed to make it absorb better. That’s true for non-RNY folks, but is not true for RNY-folks because we malabsorb fat. We need dry D3.

You cannot get D3 by prescription. It is only available over the counter. Even if your doc knows the difference between D2 and D3 and writes a prescription for D3, the pharmacist will give you D2. That’s because there is no D3 available by prescription and legally pharmacists are allowed to make certain substitutions. You have to get your D3 over the counter and if you had RNY, you need to make sure it is dry D3, not in oil.

 What about he prescription itamin D shots?

Also, any idea how much tanning bed time would actually be considered useful for someone with D deficiency?


Cheers!
Tamie

I did not know there were vitamin D shots.  Anyone else have any info on that?

As far as tanning, I don't know but I suspect it would have to be enough time that it would be very bad for your skin.

 Yeah, I figured I'd end up bursting into flame before I got anything beneficial out of it :-(

Ah well, still need to go though. I'm starting to turn blue, lol. 

Have you ever thought about being a nutritionist or dietitian? You know so much about vitamins and our needs, I could see it being a great profession for you. Who knows maybe you already are one.. Thanks for all of the information you give us. It is well appreciated and great that we have you as a resource!

No, I'm not one!  I have briefly thought about it but going back to school is just not in the cards for me.  Vitamins are really fascinating to me, though.

Yeah as I was typing it I was thinking maybe you already were! Well definitely something that you are good at and again, it is totally appreciated. It is nice to see people that have already lost their weight give such a wealth of information to us "newbies" and even to vets.

Kelly,

You are a wealth of information. I am always learning new things from you!

WOW!  You just solved my issue, I just responded to you in the post about my levels being really bad including my D.  I told you I was taking them in soft gels.... :-(

Replesta is D3 and you can get it at the pharmacy.  My dr wrote a rx for it, but you can buy it directly.  It is very costly though.  15$ for 1 month.  1 time a week, 50000mg .