• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Butter Nutrition
  • About
    • Media, Interviews & Guest Posts
    • Contact
  • Praise
  • Services
    • Creating Wealth eBook
    • Metabolism FastTrack eCourse
    • Hair Analysis
      • About Hair Analysis
      • Hair Analysis – Frequently Asked Questions
    • Gut Testing
    • Fatty Acid Testing
    • Free Consult
  • The Store
  • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Popular
    • Digestion
    • Weight Loss
    • Thyroid
    • Metabolism
    • Hormones
    • Detoxification
    • Low Energy
    • Hair Analysis
    • Skin and Beauty
      • Essential Oils
    • Diet Review
  • Quiz
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Articles
    • Recipes
  • Services
    • FAQs
  • Praise
  • Take the Quiz!
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Articles
      • Recipes
    • Services
      • FAQs
    • Praise
    • Take the Quiz!
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×

    Home » Nutrition

    Are You Really Vitamin D Deficient? 4 Things to Consider

    By Catherine on June 11, 2022 Last Updated December 2, 2022 4 Comments | No Medical Advice | This Post Contains Affiliate Links

    VItamin D Lab TestingTaking vitamin D in Western culture has quickly become an 'if some is good, more is better' game of taking chances on mega-dose supplements.

    But there are problems. Major problems, that no-one is talking about. Till now.

    Problem #1 — The deficiency ranges:

    What even classifies vitamin D deficiency? The answer varies, in short, It depends on who you talk to. Some of the biggest authorities wildly disagree:

    The Vitamin D Council definition [1]:
    Deficient: 0–40 ng/ml
    Sufficient: 40–80 ng/ml
    High normal: 80–100 ng/ml
     
    The Endocrine Society definition [1]:
    Deficiency ≤ 20 ng/ml
    Insufficiency = 20–29 ng/ml
     
    The Institute of Medicine definition [1]:
    Risk/deficiency ≤12 ng/ml
    Risk/insufficiency = 12–20 ng/ml
    Sufficient = 20 ng/ml
     
    So depending on your medical authorities, you could be considered deficient and sufficient at the same time.
     
    Another important detail to know is about the man behind the push for higher vitamin D sufficiency levels, Dr. Michael Holick. Holick's momentum around for vitamin D has been described as 'extreme' and the man has clear conflicts of interest around his push for guidelines that equate to widespread deficiency. You can read all the dirty details about how he 'sold America on vitamin D and profited.'

     Problem #2 — Reasons vitamin D can be low that don't stem from not enough vitamin D: 

    The following summarizes some of the reasons vitamin D 25(OH)D (storage form of vitamin D) can be low that do not indicate you need to supplement with vitamin D3:
    • Low magnesium [2]
    • Low boron [3]
    • Low vitamin C [4]
    • Inflammation/infection — as someone who tests gut bacteria, I can tell you gut infections are extremely common. In these cases the ‘storage form’ of vitamin D is often low, but the active form is high (which is not typically tested). [1]
    • Low glutathione [7]
    • Glyphosate (i.e. Roundup, GMOs, non-organic food) [6]
    • Favorable gut bacteria conditions (i.e. healthy guts) [5]
    • Normal seasonal variations (i.e. vitamin D levels will be the highest after sunny summer months and fall during the winter, or darker months)

    I believe these reasons are why so many people are supplementing only to *not see* levels easily come up. They are hitting the wrong nail with their hammer.

    Additionally, automatically sprinkling ‘high dose vitamin D supplements’ on everyone who has low serum D is NOT the answer and can do harm in some cases. Bringing us to the next problem...

    Problem #3 —The side effects:

    Mega-dosing any vitamin supplement can have side effects, but this is especially true for fat soluble vitamins that are stored in the body and cannot quickly leave. Vitamin D is stored in your fat cells and subject to toxicity. You can’t just pee it out when you get too much.

    Vitamin D has well-known side effects and is used as a potent rat poison for those very reasons.

    According to a 2022 report entitled: Vitamin D toxicity due to self-prescription: A case report, the general population is unaware of the risks: "People are taking vitamin D orally or intramuscularly in mega doses as a supplement without adequate medical monitoring and indication. This leads to vitamin D toxicity causing hypercalcemia, acute kidney injury, and altered sensorium. Vitamin D is fat-soluble and remains in the body for long time and is released slowly. People are not aware of this phenomenon." [8]

    A few important markers for vitamin D supplementation are as follows:

    • The upper limit is 4,000iu per the NIH [9]
    • The Endocrine Society recommends 1,500-2,000iu
    • Some research says adverse effects can start at 3,800iu [10]
    • Personally I see anything over 1,000-2,000iu impacting hair tissue mineral levels in the following ways:
      • Increased calcium levels (calcium slows things down in the body)
      • Decreased potassium levels
      • This disrupts mineral patterns in a significant way and can impact your thyroid's ability to do its job. A disrupted calcium:potassium ratio can look like:
        • fatigue
        • brain fog
        • low body temperature
        • blood sugar issues (hypoglycemia)
        • sluggish digestion
        • sluggish thyroid

    As someone who tests mineral levels using hair tissue mineral analysis on clients worldwide, I see calcium levels creep up in a dose-dependent manner in relation to vitamin D supplement intake (dose and duration determine with how elevated calcium gets), along with other non-vitality supporting mineral changes.

    Problem #4: High doses were not intended to be taken orally

    I never see high calcium levels from people getting vitamin D from the sun. It's always supplement sources. What does that tell us?

    Vitamin D from the sun and oral supplements do not act identically in the body.

    It is also very hard to find high amounts of oral vitamin D in nature. Nearly impossible to get close to 'supplement levels' consistently.

    For instance, one of the top food sources for vitamin D is wild salmon. You'd have to eat 1 pound of salmon every day to get approximately 2,384iu of vitamin D from food. If you tried doing that every day, you'd put yourself at risk of mercury toxicity pretty quickly.

    This is common in nature. It's hard to find large amounts of fat soluble vitamins (those being A, D, E & K) that are stored in the body for a reason.

    Some may think nature's 'trying to kill you,' while I believe nature is communicating a message and trying to keep you alive.

    So the bigger question is — what is nature trying to tell you? Perhaps vitamin D is meant to be part of chemical reaction that happens on the skin and largely not absorbed through the oral route (without risking side effects long term). Trying to 'outsmart' nature with supplement after supplement never works in the long term from what I've seen in my nutrition practice.

    Supplement wisely, and more importantly — don't forget to let your body control how much vitamin D it needs to make from getting adequate sun exposure (the superior source of vitamin D). Remember, it's fat soluble, so your body can store it for those dark winter months.
     
    Some vitamin D is good. More is not better. Testing (both storage + active forms) and thinking critically before taking high dosages is smart.
    Are you really vitamin D deficient (storage and active forms)? Please share in the comments!

    PIN IT:

     
    References:
    1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4160567/
    2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181214093837.htm
    3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4712861/
    4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2170601
    5. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19793-8
    6. https://myersdetox.com/transcript-166-glyphosate-and-how-to-detox-it-with-dr-stephanie-seneff/
    7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6208166/
    8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9067206/
    9. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/
    10.  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40520-020-01678-x

    More Articles You May Enjoy

    • Thyroid Triggers Everyone Ignores
    • 16 Signs of Histamine Intolerance (and WHAT causes it)
    • Is Your Chronic Gut Issue Really a Liver/Gallbladder Issue?
    • 3 Ways your Gut Makes or Breaks Your Mental Health

    About Catherine

    Hi there! I’m Catherine Crow. Seattle-based Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), Educator, Diet Investigator, and Coconut Milk Ice Cream Enthusiast. My goal is to help guide you to improve your nutrition through strategic eating (not dieting) and without expensive supplements. Because when you know better, you can feel better! Read more...

    Free Report: How To Reverse A Slow Metabolism

    When your body decides to slow your metabolism it’s all about one thing: survival! It’s not about your body trying to conspire against you and ruin your life. It’s your body making a wise decision to sacrifice long-term health for short-term survival because it’s being told to do so (usually through food/nutrient scarcity). The slowing of the metabolism allows your body to go longer on less food. The body also tends to hold on to fat as a protective mechanism, which isn't exactly what most people are going for! Ready to learn what is slowing your metabolism and what you can do about it? Subscribe below to get access to my FREE Metabolism Report: Why Your Metabolism Was Fast, But Now It's Slow:

    Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Please note: using an affiliate link does not change the price of the product, instead the seller pays Butter Nutrition a small commission. My thoughts on these products are my own.

    Paid Endorsement Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Join the Conversation Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    1. The Bigger Universe

      June 12, 2022 at 6:29 am

      this is simply too stoopid for words. Hope you're getting paid by some big evil corporation. Fluff advice like this is a dime a dozen, Stop distracting ppl from real issues with this crap.

      Reply
    2. Gerald

      June 12, 2022 at 5:46 pm

      Also Vitamin D can be low from glyphosate disruption of enzymes in the liver that are essential for activating vitamin D, correct?

      Reply
      • Catherine

        June 16, 2022 at 10:52 am

        Yes, according to Dr. Stephanie Seneff.

        Abundantly,
        Catherine

        Reply
        • Gerald

          June 16, 2022 at 11:04 am

          Thank you, I find your content as being well informed.

          Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Catherine

    As a nutritional therapist, my passion is education. My goal is to help guide you to improve your nutrition through strategic eating (not dieting) and without expensive supplements! Because when you know better, you can feel better! Read more...

    Follow on:

    • Facebook

      45k

    • Instagram

      2k

    • Pinterest

      61k

    • Tiktok

      13k

    Quiz: Are you in nutritional debt?

    Get your free customized results!

    Take the Quiz

    3 Nutrition Secrets

    Grab the 3 Nutrition Secrets You Must Know for Your Health to THRIVE!

    Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

    What Others Are Reading:

    • Duped by Vitamin D? What low levels can REALLY reveal...
    • 14 Signs of Undermethylation
    • How much protein do you need? 11 Signs You're NOT Getting Enough Protein!
    • 10 Things NOT To Do When You're Trying To Lose Weight (#2 fools everyone!)
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    Get The eBook!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Catherine
    • Client Praise
    • Media/Interviews/Guest Posts
    • Newsletter Sign Up

    Fine Print

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility
    • Terms of Use

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    Copyright © 2023 Butter Nutrition LLC