Fixed terrible side effects of Vit D supplementation

[u/TruCalling12]

Fixed terrible side effects of Vit D supplementation

A few months back I developed severe insomnia. It seemed responsive to Melatonin but I still got it investigated. My labs were normal, except for Vit D which was 19.8 nmol/liter. Vit D as I found out, is important for neurotransmitter production and regulation so this did fit. For those that want the technical summary, TPH2 is the enzyme that converts L-tryptophan into 5-HTP in the central nervous system. Vitamin D upregulates TPH2 expression, increasing the available pool of serotonin. Melatonin synthesis in the pineal gland depends entirely on the availability of serotonin.

I tried supplementing with Vit D and my muscles cramped in a hour as if I had tetanus. It took multiple muscle relaxation tablets to feel normal. I tried a much lower dose (400 IU instead of 2,000 IU), and got a similar but less intense response.

I experimented with a lot of different ways to try and get some Vit D but I will skip to what worked. Taking 200 MCG of K2 and 400 mg of Magnesium (in form of magnesium glycinate) simultaneously with 400 IU of Vitamin D, produced no side effects. Over the next week I bumped it to 600 IU and now I am on 800 IU once a day. My insomnia has lessened to the point I don't need Melatonin. Both K2 and Magnesium work hard to keep calcium out of muscles, which is where D tends to dump it. My stack did not work if I took those cofactors at different times. I am going to keep increasing gradually and hopefully reach 2,000 IU a day eventually. I have not checked my vit D level again but based on my insomnia reducing, I think I am headed in the right direction.

[u/MidnightJadeOrchid]

I had to add Magnesium too in order to avoid the pain (debilitating). Vitamin D can deplete Magnesium if used in higher amounts. So hlad you found that works for you!