D2 vs D3

poet_kelly
on 3/13/12 12:37 pm - OH

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.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

Kaoz789
on 3/13/12 12:40 pm
 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
    
poet_kelly
on 3/13/12 12:46 pm - OH
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.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

Kaoz789
on 3/13/12 12:53 pm
 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. 
    
xtine
on 3/13/12 12:54 pm - San Jose, CA
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!

HW: 295 / SW: 273 / CW: 169.4 / GW: 140 / Dream Goal: 120
Height: 5'3.5"  -  *22lbs of my weightloss was lost pre-surgery.

   

   

poet_kelly
on 3/13/12 12:57 pm - OH
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.

View more of my photos at ObesityHelp.com          Kelly

Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor.  Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me.  If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her.    Check out my blog.

 

xtine
on 3/13/12 1:00 pm - San Jose, CA
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.

HW: 295 / SW: 273 / CW: 169.4 / GW: 140 / Dream Goal: 120
Height: 5'3.5"  -  *22lbs of my weightloss was lost pre-surgery.

   

   

kidnamedtoad
on 3/13/12 1:32 pm

Kelly,

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

Toad         Starting weight: 249 Day of surgery wt: 217  GW: 109 CW 149                                                                    
Toobcherished
on 3/13/12 9:43 pm - Henrico, VA
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.... :-(

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10

oxfordcat
on 3/14/12 12:37 am - NJ
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 .

"Something has changed within me. Something is not the same". Elphaba    
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