A PATIENT ASKS ABOUT VITAMIN D TO HELP WITH MUSCLE PAIN FROM STATIN MEDICATIONS….AND I RESPOND

Posted on by Douglas Lakin, M.D.
BOOK ON HEALTHDoctor Lakin…can you give me your thoughts re: interaction between Crestor and Vitamin D (1000 units)…I have been taking both daily for a while as I heard that Vitamiin D will help stave off the muscular pain produced from the statin………R.S.
RS;

 Had not seen such data until you mentioned it.  There is one article of interest (see below)

VITAMIN D AND STATINS
You have to take super dosages of Vitamin D to mimic the articles results:

50,000 units twice weekly for 3 weeks…then 1 weekly after that.  It worked approximately 80% of the time.

So…let’s try it if you are interested.  You’ll be my first patient and we’ll see how you do with it…..then perhaps I’ll have others give it a go.

Plan;

Begin Vitamin D 50,000 units twice a week for 3 weeks….while holding your statin (Crestor)

In 3 weeks…Resume your statin…and reduce Vitamin D to 50,000 units once a week.

So this for 2 months (total of 3 months)…then if doing well….stop the Vitamin D at these dosages and switch to 2,000 units daily (a reasonable daily dose)…over the counter

Let’s see if that works.

 

DR. LAKIN

PS…..up to 10,000 units of Vitamin D long-term has been shown to be safe.

PPS….You can get Vitamin D Toxicity…I’ve seen a patient do it…but it’s unocommon and these dosages should work fine and be safe.