Question
Do I need to take a Vitamin D supplement in a hot country?
22 June 2022. Related: All topics, Side effects, Supplements and herbs.
I’m going away to Cyprus for 4-5 months and it will be scorching hot out there. Is it best to take 2500 IU or 5000 IU of vitamin D3 (from a reputable supplement brand I have been taking for years). I’m on Biktarvy and I know for a fact that vitamin D3 is very important because of tenofovir and bone loss. What strength is more adequate daily? If i’m going to be in a hot country?
Answer
Hi, how are you?
While in Cyprus you should be in enough sunlight that no supplement is needed. 10 minutes daily is adequate to maintain your required vitamin D3 level.
If you do choose to take a supplement, take nothing more than 4000 IU. This is because it can be harmful – you cannot get too much vitamin D3 from sunlight. Taking 2500 IU will be sufficient.
What do you currently take in the UK?
Josh.
Hi Erkan, guidelines recommend no more than 4000 IU/day. These are NICE guidelines set out in the UK to guide clinical practise. However talking with your doctor it may be more suitable for you to have more or less.
As at i-base we are not doctors we cannot suggest anything outside of these guidelines. This is now best placed a conversation with your doctor. Have you been taking the vitamin supplements since you have started with Biktarvy?
I’m taking 4000 but years ago my doctor told me to take 20000 a week, then told me to up it to 40000 per week. I have ordered 5000 with k2 but can take it every other day I guess. Lots of misconceptions around this vitamin, I have read some people have been taking 10000 a day for years and they have never felt better. Plus I think by the time your body absorbs the vitamin you don’t get the full dosage. Also since taking biktarvy I can feel the inflammation in my joints and 4000 doesn’t seem to work