vitamin D supplements as Vitamin D3 gel capsules

Is it possible to get too much vitamin D? Nutrition advisors such as registered dietitians have worried about this for years because vitamin D, like vitamin A, is fat soluble. As a consequence, it could build up in body stores and eventually one could develop an overload.

It isn’t easy to get too much vitamin D through natural means, such as exposing skin to sunshine or eating foods rich in the vitamin. Not many foods have enough vitamin D to make them dangerous, and human physiology has ways to make sure even a lot of sun exposure won’t usually result in vitamin D toxicity.

But it is definitely possible to get too much vitamin D by taking supplements. This reader describes such a case:

Leg Pain from Too Much Vitamin D:

Q. My husband took vitamin D3 for over five years. He started having leg pain in his thigh and went to our family doctor. She prescribed prednisone for two weeks for a possible strained muscle.

His pain improved but returned after he had finished that round of medication. She then referred him to an orthopedic doctor who did an x-ray of his leg and said his pain was probably due to muscle strain. He also prescribed prednisone for two weeks, and again the pain returned after treatment.

Some time later I read that muscle and bone pain could be a side effect of vitamin D3. He discontinued the supplemental vitamin D3 and has been pain-free ever since. What a relief!

Consequences of Too Much Vitamin D:

A. Too much vitamin D can lead to excess calcium in the blood stream. Symptoms include muscle pain or weakness as well as loss of appetite, dehydration, digestive upset and fatigue.

Your husband is not the only reader who has had trouble with a vitamin D supplement.

We heard from one person:

“I eat a very healthy and balanced diet. My yearly complete physical always makes me happy. Last year at my physical, right after winter, my doctor said my level of D was slightly off.

“He agreed that coming out of the winter months probably made it less than perfect, because of lack of sunshine. He suggested however that I take vitamin D, as he himself does.

“I followed his advice, though I take no other supplements. After about a month I started experiencing pain in my bones that was getting worse and worse. I exercise regularly. As the vitamin D was the only new thing in my life, I stopped taking it. The bone pain went away after a few days and has not returned. I recently had my physical (coming out of summer) and my vitamin D level was perfect!”

Some readers may appreciate our Guide to Vitamin D Deficiency, in which we also discuss dose and possible toxicity. It will help you determine how much is too much.

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  1. Kev
    Reply

    Have been taking 1000 units for about 6 months. Developed constant painful knees. Read these comments. Stopped Vit D 2 days ago. Knee pain gone.

  2. Kerry
    Reply

    I suspected that Vitamin D was the culprit in my severe leg cramps, so I quit taking it and stayed off of it for a couple of years. Yesterday I took a 5000 mg dose with K2 and woke last night with one of the most severe cramps I have ever had in my life, in my ankle and foot! It had to be the Vitamin D! I would do the “stop and start test” but the pain is so severe, I am afraid to! At this point, I’m stopping because I am 99.9% sure anyway!

  3. Terri T.
    WA
    Reply

    I don’t see anyone talking about the fact that if you take vitamin D3, you need to take vitamin K2 to mobilize the calcium so you do not have problems. Why has this not been discussed?

  4. Susan D.
    Crozet,Virginia
    Reply

    I have read that it is important to get enough true vitamin A (not just beta carote) and also vitamin K2 to balance and help utilize the vitamin D and calcium. This was the case when people got their vitamin D from cod liver oil which also had vitamin A naturally.

  5. Jean
    Florida
    Reply

    I take D3-5000 IU plus calcium on the adice of my doctor because my last bone scan showed osteopoenia in my hips. I’ve been experiencing pain in my shoulders, knees and calves recently. Thought it was due to exercise. Will speak to my Dr. Very concerned.

  6. Crystal
    Tampa
    Reply

    I had joint pain for years, and pain in my calves. I developed difficulty making a fist or straightening my fingers after, the pain was excruciating, I couldn’t lean my elbows on a sofa cushion to read without extreme pain and developed burning feet to the point it was difficult to walk and/or stand. I was sent to doctor after doctor, including a neurologist who couldn’t find anything and said I had Fibromyalgia… but while I was in his office he sent me down the hall to see a rheumatologist who then sent me “downstairs” for a quick blood test. I had virtually no D and I live in Florida and am outside regularly! She said that lots of women with auto immune disorders such as vulvadynia or fibromyalgia cannot produce Vitamin D. She prescribed 58,000 units per week for 4 weeks. After the second week, most of the pain in my hands and feet was gone, at the end of the 4 week period ALL of the pain was gone in my feet and hands and my calves no longer burned. 10 years later and I am taking 6,000 units daily. I stopped for a couple of weeks since I felt so good and the pain returned… so back on it I went. I have my blood tested every 6 months and my D is in the normal range. I see no reason to quit since I am almost pain free at 71. I DO have Fibromylagia and Vulvadynia so being almost pain free is a blessing!

  7. Selma
    Florida
    Reply

    In November 2017, my blood work for Vitamin D was 35.10 and my endocrinologist said it was a bit on the low side. She wanted me to increase my dosage of Vitamin D3 from 1,000 to 2,000. My internist said he didn’t think I had to increase it, so I didn’t. Well, I had blood work done this past November 2018, and my Vitamin D was 31.80. My endocrinologist was pushing for me to take 2,000 and I finally decided to do it. My internist still was not concerned. He said that I was on the low side but still within the acceptable range. Recently, I noticed that I began to have problems making a fist with my left hand, and my middle finger felt, at times, as if I had ‘trigger finger.’ I was contemplating having a cortisone shot but haven’t gone for it yet. After reading your article and all the comments, I am going to back to taking 1000 of Vitamin D3. The only other pill I take is Synthroid for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. My internist thinks I am in very good health, with excellent blood work reports, for a woman who will turn 90 next November. Am I wrong to go back to 1000, or should I just take the 2,000, but every other day?

    • Terry Graedon
      Reply

      It sounds like you are doing well, especially since you check in with you doctors regularly.

      • Jeanie
        Reply

        I started taking 2000 mg of D3 and after a month started having muscle pain. I think I should go back to 1000 mg.

  8. Jackie
    Florida
    Reply

    My Dr. prescribed 50,000 units of Vit D daily because my lab work showed low Vit D. I have developed pain in my right arm and shoulder so severe that I can’t put a long sleeved top or my coat on, without help. Also, I have severe restless legs every night, plus terrible insomnia, which has caused me to have panic attacks. I am going to stop the Vit D to see if that is causing all my problems.

  9. thomp
    Texas
    Reply

    After my yearly wellness checkup in May, the doctor said my iron was low to quit donating blood for a while and maybe think about a multivitamin. I am over 55 so I thought it wouldn’t hurt. I work outside a lot and on my feet. About the time hurricane Harvey blew through my left plantar fasciitis was bothering me to the point I went to find arch supports. A few months later my left shoulder was getting weak and had me thinking rotator cuff problems. Then the tendon in my right foot was sore. I decided to quit taking the multivitamin and everything went back to normal in a few months.

  10. Kass
    new jersey
    Reply

    I have started taking D3 for the past week. I have increased pain in my legs and knees and my feet have swelled up. the fatigue is awful. Today I stopped taking it and hopefully in a few days I will have less pain. Who would think a vitamin would do this :(

  11. Tammy
    Green Mtn
    Reply

    I am taking 2 Rebuild Plus it has 333 IU each a day and a 50000 IU D3 one a week .I am having lots of joint and muscle pain .Am I taking too much?

    • lisa
      Reply

      Yes you are. Are you taking 50,000 IU because your Dr. prescribed it? If so you should hold off on any other supplementation till you are done with your treatment. Also it should be the precursor form D2 since that is metabolized via the liver and then by kidneys where it is converted to D3 and better absorbed. I would schedule an appointment with your Dr. to check your Vitamin D level to see if you are in the toxic range.

  12. Frank
    Reply

    I heard the body aches are due to the bones remineralizing after being deficient for so long, and it’s actually good thing. The adverse symptoms are only temporary.

  13. Eliza
    South Australia (SA)
    Reply

    I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s a decade ago; my then doc prescribed 100,000iU of vit D (in oil) per week after test results. (47nmol/L when the desirable range os 60-160).
    Soon after taking the first dose, my calves cramped up badly during a regular beach walk and stayed painful. Neither the doc nor the compounding pharmacy could explain it at the time.

  14. TooWeak
    US
    Reply

    I’ve been taking Vitamin D3 for a few years — sparingly, maybe 500 or 1,000 in a week or two. I was diagnosed with autoimmune diabetes, and read that many people with diabetes also have low Vitamin D, and that Vitamin D3 can improve the immune system. So, I got tested by my Dr. — it was like 25 or 26. (30-100 normal range). So, I upped the dose to a 5,000 pill once or twice a week.

    After a while, I didn’t know if I was helping or hurting. So, I ordered my own follow-up test, and it came back at 32. Okay, in the normal range, but better. My favorite diabetes doctor recommended people get up to about 50 or so. I’ve been taking it lately maybe twice a week for a while, and just recently began having episodes of extreme weakness, and pain in my legs. It starts in my knees, and radiates down my calves and up my hamstrings and it aches for hours. I feel weak and dizzy, and all this with very little activity — I mean, I walk some and bike a little, but at 50, I am not in terrible shape.

    So, I keep a pretty good food / med log. And I couldn’t tell what was causing this — pantoparazole, low-carb food, tums, alka seltzer, claratin, zyrtec, and vitamin D3. But I switched brands of Vitamin D, too — there was a sale. What could go wrong? Well, looking at my food/med log, I see that the weakness may correspond with the Vitamin D3 capsule. I got my levels tested again, and I’m up to 45.

    Normally, I’d celebrate being in a measurably “normal” range — but I feel horrible. Like I’m going to pass out, and so weak, and this radiating ache from just walking a block, it lasts for like an hour or two. I wonder if I’ve got MS or some other muscle & nerve problem! But, the log shows a loose correlation with the day or next day after taking the D3. I’m cutting it out completely after what happened to me this morning. I could barely drive home.

    Scary stuff. Glad to find this article and forum. The other posts I’m reading are mostly that people have weakness & pain from too little Vitamin D3. Perhaps my dose of 5,000 IU is too high, though I don’t take it but about every 4 days. My doctor said to take 800 IU a day, so, it’s a pretty close match. Very confusing — maybe it’s the brand. I don’t know. Just kind of scared to go out anymore.

  15. Judd
    Dallas
    Reply

    Let me add this is after 2 mri’s, 2 X-rays, Accupuncture, accupressure, massage, 4 surgeons with different opinions. I feel in my gut the vitamins my original doc put me in have created this pain I can barely stand. I don’t blame him it’s a practice, but we don’t need vitamins if you eat real healthy foods and see the sun a little…

  16. Judd
    Dallas
    Reply

    So grateful to learn of the vitamin overdose… I’m so guilty and I’m so miserable I am embarrassed I didn’t realize I did not need any extra vitamins… I almost had a hip replacement…no more vit d for me ever!

  17. Missie
    usa
    Reply

    I was recently put on 50000 IU of vitamin D2 once a week. Since then I have noticed I have not slept right. I get tingling through out my body and cold sweats a few hours after I take it, and my heart races, and I tremble (I already have anxiety). Last night was horrible and was the last of my vitamin to take for the month. Has anyone else experienced this on vitamin D?

  18. Mary
    Essex
    Reply

    Yes I have been trying different multivitamins. The last lot had even higher dose. I started having more bone pain in the right leg and noticed a stinging sensation in my left knee. Now my right leg has stopped hurting but the left leg, especially the knee area, is very painful, like a woman’s labour pains. Stopped taking it for five days, but pain is still there. I can hardly stand the pain, even when in bed. I read that it has to do with the bone being malnourished, and the vitamin D doing its work to mend, and that eventually when the bone is repaired the pain will stop.

    • K.
      Oregon City, OR.
      Reply

      I have experienced extreme anxiety from too much Vitamin D, yes.

  19. JD
    NJ
    Reply

    I will ask the same question that I asked back in April. After stopping
    the Vitamin D3, how long does it take for leg pains to disappear?

    Please, can someone tell me?

  20. Diane G
    Irvine
    Reply

    My blood test shows I’ve only got 17.9 of D. I’ve taken 3 types of D3 in the past and had stopped but other than remembering 2 types caused constipation, the 3rd was good. Then my chiropractor told me their blend had changed and to go to another brand. Eventually I quite as my count only went up to 25. With this newest test I started 5,000 units/day of a brand I had at home and almost immediately I noticed only a little constipation and an increase in body pain in my legs, knees and shoulders and especially my fingers. I’ll be calling my doctor tomorrow!

    • Deb
      Kailua kona
      Reply

      Same thing happened to me, I had terrible bone pain in my knees and legs when I upped my vitamin D3 to 5000 I got so constipated. I have tried to take vit d3 over the years and each time it happened and I had to quit. My level is at 48 so I think I’m going to quit trying to take it, it’s not worth the pain. Does this pain come from the calcium being leached from the bones or ?

      • mary lou W.
        MI
        Reply

        Constipation leads me to ask if you may have low MAGNESIUM levels. Low magnesium levels can make consipation happen and can also be consistent with pain in joints. I take 5000 D3 daily, extra magnesium, multi vit and have done so for over 20 years with no problems at all. My test levels are in the upper level of normal. Rarely have constipation.

    • Deme
      Chiago, Illinois
      Reply

      Just a couple of days

      • Deme
        Reply

        It takes just a couple of days for the pain to stop. I’m glad I found this forum as I’ve tried Vit D several times on doctor’s orders and each time it caused pain till I stopped the supplement. My newest doctor also put me on calcitriol, and I had severe pain in all my joints. He said he thought it was working. I disagree. It was intolerable, so I stopped.

    • Deb
      OC, CA
      Reply

      FYI, I’ve been told by my doctor that I need to take Vitamin D3 with whole milk or even avocado, in other words with fat, in order for the body to Properly absorb the vitamin. vitamin D is best absorbed with a low-to-moderate amount of fat, compared to no fat or lots of fat. Specifically, researchers have showed that 11 grams of fat leads to higher absorption than either 35 grams or 0 grams, at 16% higher and 20% higher respectively. If you take it with no fat, you’ll absorb approx. 15 to 30 percent less of the vitamin.

      • John
        Ireland
        Reply

        I have being taking it for 7 to 8 years and have noticed lately that I am having a lot of pain in my shoulders and knees and s feeling of fatigue. I am also taking omega 3. I think I am going to take a break see what happens.

  21. shirley knight
    st george, s. c.
    Reply

    I found out in feb 2017 tha my vit d level was 19.. so dr put me on vit d 2000 . then
    I found out that I was having side effect from this.. so he changed me to vit d 1000
    and now I have terrible cramps in my thighs and the muscle in my calves feel
    like a tight rubber band that will not release. what do I do now. quit with all
    the vit d.. I feel like I cant walk around on my legs, they are weak feeling. please
    help me.

  22. Marinell
    Reply

    My Doctor ran blood work and told me my vitamin D was to low. He prescribed me Vit D2 50,000 units. Now I am in so much pain it is horrible. I am not taking anymore. I took it as prescribed which was once a week and I can tell you to stay away from it.

  23. JD
    NJ
    Reply

    After stopping the Vitamin D3, how long does it take for muscle pain to stop completely?

    • JD
      Reply

      When might I receive a reply to my question? I have been using Vitamin D 3 daily for about 9 months, 2000 IU.

      • Cindy
        New Brunswick
        Reply

        Hi JD. From what I’ve read in this forum most people have found that the pain goes away within a couple days.

  24. Frank
    Brooklyn NY
    Reply

    I began taking 2,000 units of D3 a number of years ago and accidentally switched to 1,000 with little difference in blood tests. Now after about 5 years, my thighs often feel weak. I had complete muscle atrophy post-stroke 7 years ago. The weakness occurs even though I can walk 2 miles easily and exercise my legs at the Y for 1/2 hour 2-3 times a week and do 1/2 hour of water aerobics 1-2 times each week. I was evaluating whether or not it is a side effect of a low dose (10 mg) statin — simvastatin (the doctor says no) — a very low dose blood pressure med — 2.5 mg. lisinopril (the pharacist says no). The only other possible culprit is Vitamin D, which Jane Brody in the NY Times said is over-prescribed (March 12, 2017: https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/12/reasons-to-place-a-bet-on-vitamin-d/ )

    • Paula
      FL
      Reply

      I can’t take anything for cholesterol, not even red yeast rice, due to horrible leg pain. We had a friend end up in hosp in a wheelchair until they stopped statin. Statin does cause leg pain in some people. You may be one of them. It is not uncommon.

  25. Bill
    Nashville, TN, USA
    Reply

    I was told by my doc to immediately stop all foods with vit D and calcium because I accidentally took an over-dose of D3 thinking it was my antibiotics! They were in the same bottle from the same pharmacy, and I had just gotten home from back surgery and was in extreme pain. My fault, stupid me. My blood-work came back today as 101 which is twice as much as the high end she had wanted me to obtain with the supplements. I also have anemia since I have a digestive disorder. I was doing great until I OD’d. Now I have evey symptom imaginable due to the OD. She just prescribed steriods and said to cut all vit D and calcium out of my diet. I am curious if anyone knows what foods are safe to eat while you are detoxifying from a vit D overdose. Thank you in andvance.

  26. April R
    MN
    Reply

    I am thankful that this info is here because at least eliminating my vitamin D for a short period of time is something to try. Everyone’s body is different anyway so I don’t care how much these people are taking, but at least it gives an idea of where to start looking for the culprit of the pain. My symptoms are exactly as most people are describing.

  27. Drake
    Missouri
    Reply

    I began using vitamin d3 about a year ago. I’m a very healthy person. I train regularly and take very good care of my body. I began using vitamin d3 at 5000iu per day. I felt unstoppable. But then, I started to experience achy muscles and bones. My lifts were going down and I couldnt figure out why. The REAL RED FLAG is when I began feeling disoriented and confused a lot. Forgetfulness and just a feeling of being out of it. I began doing research on side effects of D3 and it all made sense. I’m a little under a week removed from the vitamin d3 and I already feel better. The symptoms aren’t gone but theyre getting better. Be careful with D3.

  28. Donna
    Massachusetts
    Reply

    I have been on 3800IU daily D3 for about 9 months- and complaining the whole time of joint and bone pain. I just got my blood tested for D3 and its mildly elevated. I’m hoping that is the cause of my pain – I’m off it starting tomorrow!

  29. Mary
    Killeen,Tx
    Reply

    I have been on Vit D for 7 weeks 50000iu, and now my leg and arm hurts a lot and am getting headaches. Should this be going on?

  30. Christine
    Nebraska
    Reply

    I’ve been taking 3 pills on KAL D-3 5,000 iu for several years. Late Fall 2015 after stents, a couple coils and plugs had to be placed in my pelvic veins (May Thurner Syndrome & pelvic congestion) been struggling with leg cramping. Thought I had sciatica, then maybe piriformis syndrome(?) Thought the surgery caused my right leg cramping. They said no and did ultrasounds to verify that.

    So I’m here tonight googling and trying to find answers. I come across this and was wondering how long it would take to vacate and make changes that I would notice no more leg cramping. I’m 5’5 137 lbs. try to exercise often and eat right. Hilicrysum essential oil mixed with coconut oil helps take the spasmimg away. So I guess I’ll quit taking the D3. A natural doctor had me taking the 15,000 iu a day. I quit going to him, but continued the regime. ?

  31. Arlene
    California
    Reply

    I too was put on D3 2000 iu aprox 9 mos ago. I have as of late started waking up to several leg cramps and even experience cramps in the feet and legs during the day. I have never had much problem with them till now. I am going to try going off the D3 and see if the cramping stops … Sigh . My legs always feel so heavy and tired any more too. I feel like I am loosing much of of my limb usage any more as well ..

  32. Tammy
    IN
    Reply

    I have been taking vit D3, after being tested multiple times, and found to be low. I started with 1,000 iu for a few months and then upped it to 2,000 iu, per day. I’ve been at this larger level for approx. 5mos.

    However, I am now experiencing severe pain in my pelvic area and legs (feels like it’s in my bones), can hardly walk some days, and lately have had restless legs and now severe charlie horses in my calves, waking me at night, then the the residual (lactic acid-type) pain lasts for days. I had previously come off an immune suppressing drug but now suspect it’s my vitamin D levels which are finally up, but I have chosen to go off the D3 to see if it’s the culprit.

  33. Marilyn
    Naperville, IL
    Reply

    My doctor prescribed 2000IU’s of vitamin D3 5 times a week, which I have been taking for 5 years. All of a sudden last March, 2015 I started experiencing muscle pain down the backs of my legs and bone pain in the inner thigh/pelvic area and pain across my lower back. Since I had been walking on the treadmill, I thought that had something to do with it. The doctor did x-rays, prescribed a muscle relaxer and exercises, nothing helped. After reading your article and feed backs, I went off the D3 completely and have been off it for almost 2 weeks now. The muscle pain has gone away and most of the bone pain, also I am not experiencing the fatigue that I was and seem to be sleeping better. How long does it take for the vitamin D3 to be completely out of your system, I can’t seem to find an answer on this.

  34. Kimberly
    Greensboro NC
    Reply

    My sister and brother-in-law are overweight. Their doctor has prescribed them to take 10,000 units/day. Any feedback appreciated!
    Thanks!

  35. Eliezer
    Israel
    Reply

    “It isn’t easy to get too much vitamin D through natural means, such as exposing skin to sunshine or eating foods rich in the vitamin”

    To the best of my knowledge it is absolutely impossible to overdose by sunexposure. Your body automatically shuts down Vitamin D production from sunlight once it has produced 15,000 – 20,000 International Units. If you have a reference to a published medical journal article to the contrary about this please post the reference. As far as foods are concerned, on a theoretical basis it could happen. In real life while not impossible it is almost impossible.

    The lowest daily dosage to cause any problem is around 30,000 International Units taken for many months. Dr. Reinhold Vieth of Toronto, a well known researcher of Vitamin D, challenged anyone to come up with any evidence that taking 10,000 International Units or less could result in toxicity. This challenge was issued about 15 years ago and, to the best of my knowledge, no evidence showing toxicity at 10000 IU’s or less has ever been presented. This does not mean that people should take 10,000 Units. In general 2000 – 3000 Units per day is generally enough to bring Vitamin D levels to 30 or more which is a satisfactory level.

    • The People's Pharmacy
      Reply

      We were utilizing understatement. So far as we know, it is not possible to overdose on vitamin D through skin exposed to sunlight.

  36. Terry
    Reply

    My doc had me take a mega dose of D3 (I think 50,000 units) as a “jumpstart.” I have never been so constipated in my life. I thought I was going to rupture the veins in my head.

  37. Kathi
    Illinois
    Reply

    I, too had a low Vitamin D level and was prescribed a prescription level until it evened out. Then I began using OTC Vitamin D. I also had been treated for a case of GERD. So, when I developed a sour taste in my mouth, I suspected the GERD. I talked with my GE, and he agreed. Later, I read that Vitamin D can cause a metallic taste in the mouth. I stopped taking it and the terrible taste went away within a couple of days.

  38. Sara
    Seattle, WA
    Reply

    Yes, how much is too much?

    • The People's Pharmacy
      Reply

      Supplements of more than 10,000 IU per day for a few months will get some folks into trouble.

  39. Amy
    Reply

    One is to take vitamin K2 along with vitamin D so that calcium gets into the hard tissues and not the soft tissues, where it doesn’t belong.

  40. MJWilkie
    NYC
    Reply

    Ditto what Carol said above. How much were they taking?

  41. Dee
    Reply

    Any experience with tinnitus at high levels of Vit D?

  42. Bruce
    Houston
    Reply

    I am really frustrated that neither person who wrote in thought to mention how much vitamin D3 they were taking. Come on people, mention the dosage when you write in! For me, I take 2,000 mg daily and have done for a couple of years without problems. My number value is 53 on a scale that runs from 30 to 100. I am going to continue to take it.

  43. Sonja
    Melbourne, Florida
    Reply

    I too have been taking Vitamin D3 (2000 IU once a day) for quite a while now, and have starting experiencing an inexplicable periodic cramping pain in my right leg. I was attributing it to the fact that I had back surgery in the past and have some neuropathy in that leg. I get plenty of exercise and eat a healthy diet and I am not overweight. I have also been experiencing gastric problems. Since reading this article I have decided to quit taking the vitamin and see it these symptoms disappear.

    • Ret
      nm
      Reply

      I agree. Vitamin D has saved my life. It REALLY has! I used to live in the midwest and the lack of sun caused depression and body aches (and possibly a link to my child being born with autism).

      I now live in a sunny area (NM) so I get a bit of D naturally, but some medications prescribed for GERD/Acid Reflux such as Nexium or Protonix can dimish/lower your D levels (I take Protonix) and SPF, which I also use on my face daily, can block my D intake from natural sunlight. So– I do take 2,000 IU’s a day but if I take more (tried to up it a few times to avoid depression) but my feet and hands get very achy when I do so.

      I briefly stopped it altogether, to ease muscle/bone aches, but went right back to my normal dose of 2,000 a week later… and I will never stop taking D as I fear depression and far worse aches/fatigue that I get when my D is too low. I think the key here is to keep your D level in the very “normal range” (not too high nor too low).

  44. Shant
    MD
    Reply

    It comes as a surprise to me that Peoples Pharmacy will publish anecdotal reports about adverse effects of vitamin d supplementation without ascertaining dosage information. Such reports slip into the realm of conjecture.

  45. Carol
    London
    Reply

    It would be interesting to know how much Vitamin D3 these people were taking to experience the symptoms.

  46. Karen
    Reply

    So glad to read about vitamin D…am taking supplement each day, but also have much leg pain…didn’t know it might be from that! Thanks!

  47. Margaret
    Vermont
    Reply

    Could you add a guideline about how much may be “too much?”

    Also, could it cause muscle pain, rather than bone pain?

    • The People's Pharmacy
      Reply

      Up to 4,000 IU daily is safe for most people. More than 10,000 IU daily will be too much for some people. 40,000 IU daily is too much for almost everyone. And muscle pain is probably a more common symptom than bone pain.

    • Ret
      Reply

      Living in Vermont is what forced me to begin taking Vitamin D, as the lack of sunshine there nearly killed me (depression), especially in the winter months. I’m so glad I began taking D (natural antidepressant for me)!! The key is to make sure it’s not too high (nor too low)

  48. Howard
    Florida
    Reply

    Yes, taking large amounts of vitamin D without also taking vitamin K2 can lead to problems. As much as people hear about the benefits of vitamin D, I wish they were also made aware of the important co-factors like vitamin K2 that are needed for proper absorption of vitamin D. Most doctors surely don’t know about the co-factors, so we have to educate ourselves to stay out of trouble.

  49. Dallee
    Florida
    Reply

    Taking a boron supplement helps … two triple boron pills work for me, but I do a trial without them from time to time because I do not always need them.

  50. Kay
    West Salem WI
    Reply

    I did several trials with Vitamin D3 and each time I developed early morning insomnia. I would wake up at 3:30 AM feeling totally awake. I had no difficulty falling asleep when I first went to bed. When I stopped taking it, my sleep cycle returned to normal.

    • Mary
      Reply

      I am experiencing same issue. I only take 2000 D3 each day for almost 90 days now because I was low. Follow up blood test is soon. I even tried to take at 7am instead of mid afternoon or evening, but I still woke up at 3:30 am wide awake??? I’m leaning toward its the vitamin D causing this, but am going to try not taking for a a week then start again to see what happen to my sleep pattern.

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