Have you tried taking it at meal time? I take mine on an empty stomach and never had any issues.

I have been taking 10,000 IUs daily. I have not had my levels checked yet. The reason I take that much is because of my race and I rarely get enough direct sunshine. I walk daily but usually surrounded by shade trees. Also with this being flu/cold season I make it a point to take 10,000IUs of Vitamin D3 daily. I will have the levels checked in January to determine rather or not I am taking enough.

Grassrootshealth D Action postal 25(OH)D testing service $40 When you do it would be helpful if you would participate in this trial. Not only do you get a test at cost price but you also contribute to the research project by adding to the data for the trial.

I just hope they realize that MOST people will be aware they are initially deficient and will only spend money on a test AFTER they have been using an effective amount of D3 for at least 2~3 months.

I think the reason for current low levels globally is that people don't realize Fructose (HCFS) inhibits calcium uptake and depletes 25(OH)D.

Similarly it's not widely appreciated that UVA that passes through glass windows, car windscreens, processes Vit D3 into suprasterols the body doesn't use. It's all very well spending 20minutes in the sun to make your vitamin D3 but your wasting all this D3 if you then sit by a sunny window or in the conservatory or under fluorescent lights for the rest of the day.

Many people also use sunscreen or photo protective cosmetics that move UVB into the UVA spectrum. So not only to they prevent Vit d production but actively accelerate it's destruction.

Because it's difficult to predict either how any individual will respond to D3 supplements or sun exposure, nor can we guess to what extent the above factors are depleting their D3 reserves it's important at least once a year to have a 25(OH)D to be sure what you are doing is about right for you.

Yes, I've tried the drops and taking it with food.

Got my D tested and once again it is too low. Don't know the exact number yet tho becuase I haven't gone back...just had a message saying it was too low.

So, when it was higher in May it was the sun, not the pills. Interestingly enough, my fibro pain is on high these days as well.

Guess I'll just have to move down south!

How many IU are in the drops?

There are two strengths, one has 400 IU/drop, and the other has 2,000 IU/drop.

Did you try the Biotech D3? It comes in 1,000, 5,000, and 50,000 IUs.

It's probably the purest power form.

the Vitamin D Council site http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/ states "The skin produces approximately 10,000 IU vitamin D in response 20–30 minutes summer sun exposure" which correlates with what I have read elsewhere. Perhaps Dr. Mercolas calculator is in error?