Vitamin D - headaches - PaleoHacks.com

Vitamin D - headaches

2012-06-08T01:45:49Z

I'm experimenting with various supplements to battle cystic acne, and Vitamin D comes up a LOT so I've tried that on and off for months. I find that any more than 2000iu per day for more than a few days causes strange random headaches. The best way I can describe it is that when I'm try to think/concentrate, I get sharp pains in my head kind of behind my eyes. I normally NEVER get headaches.

As soon as I scale back the D, they go away. It's happened with multiple brands, and also if I take too much fermented cod liver oil.

Is that just a symptom of taking too much for my body, or is there something else going on? I've taken it alongside of up to 20,000iu of Vitamin A per day down to 0 vitamin A if that helps at all (I mention this since A/D are often mentioned together).

EDIT: I had my levels tested and they were 23 ng/ml.

EDIT 2: Another update, I just got more blood work back and my levels went from 23 ng/ml 6 months ago only up to 43 ng/ml today supplementing roughly 2000iu a day.

Answer by Dragonfly for Vitamin D - headaches

2012-06-08T02:50:54Z

First of all, if you haven't gotten tested, please do so. Supplementing without knowing your 25 (OH)D level is not a great idea. You could be getting enough from sun exposure.

You want to aim for a blood level of 50-60 ng/ml or 60-80 ng/ml if you have an autoimmune/inflammatory condition.

Are you also supplementing Magnesium? You may be deficient and that's why you are getting the headaches. Most folk need 400-600 mg/day & without a fair amount of nuts or seafood, it can be challenging to get enough from food. I take 400 mg Magnesium Citrate every eve before bed. It's a great sleep aid & helps avoid constipation too. Magnesium glycinate is good if you aren't needing the laxative effect.

A & K are also essential co-factors for D3. If you don't eat dairy (pastured butter and hard cheeses are a good source of K2), then natto or a supplement are recommended. If you eat liver weekly, you are golden for A.

Answer by Crowlover for Vitamin D - headaches

2012-06-08T05:16:39Z

Have you looked on the Vitamin D Council website? Lots of great info. there. Pretty sure you can ask questions there, or contact John Cannell, MD - the president of the Vitamin D Council. http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/
Good luck

Answer by Eugenia for Vitamin D - headaches

2012-06-08T07:10:06Z

First of all, you should not be taking A with D3. They are antagonists, they cancel each other out. If you're eating proper Paleo (including offal), then you don't need A. You would only need D3 (given that you live a standard westernized life and the sun doesn't see you much), Magnesium, and occasionally some K2. Don't take more than 5000 IU D3 per day, and definitely get tested for it every 6 months or so (you don't want to overdose on it either). If you don't do dairy at all, consider a bit of calcium too. Krill/Fish oil is good too. Q10 and PQQ are the ones I'd also take (especially if I don't do offal).