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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Difference Between Vitamin D3 And D2?

Is there a significant difference in Vit D3 and Vit D2? I was told I was D deficient so was put on D3 daily with little improvement. I was changed to higher dose D2 50,000mcg 1per month, and have worse symptoms in my leg and foot after taking it that last about 1 week. Cramping in one leg and foot is my original issue.
Mon, 13 May 2019
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors - D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2, also known as ergocalciferol.

Both D3 and D2 precursors are transformed in the liver and kidneys into 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the non-active 'storage' form, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D).

However, vitamin D2 seems to yield less calcifediol than an equal amount of vitamin D3.

Most studies show that vitamin D3 is more effective than vitamin D2 at raising blood levels of calcifediol.

So Vitamin D3 appears to be better than D2 at improving vitamin D status. Kindly revert back with your health records. It will help me to judge the need of switching you from D3 to D2.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr AJEET SINGH, General & Family Physician
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What Is The Difference Between Vitamin D3 And D2?

Hi, Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors - D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2, also known as ergocalciferol. Both D3 and D2 precursors are transformed in the liver and kidneys into 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the non-active storage form, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). However, vitamin D2 seems to yield less calcifediol than an equal amount of vitamin D3. Most studies show that vitamin D3 is more effective than vitamin D2 at raising blood levels of calcifediol. So Vitamin D3 appears to be better than D2 at improving vitamin D status. Kindly revert back with your health records. It will help me to judge the need of switching you from D3 to D2. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr AJEET SINGH, General & Family Physician