How do you know if vitamins are working?

Peri

This is a great question...I'm curious too. The only thing I currently go by is that I've never had an MD who recommended any supplements other than Vit D, and you know that's working by a blood test. My Dr doesn't even like calcium supplements. I'll be interested to find out what other's experiences are.

12 months ago

slim cat

Veteran

At certain age the vitamins might be necessity - my vitamin D, Ca with Magnesium, Thyroid supplements started after hitting menopause too early ( vitamin D started with living in Seattle even earlier ). Usually blood test and doctor recommendations are the most essential in making the decision on vitamins.
I do some supplements in the evening before going to bed - mostly for the trouble of falling to sleep - again it related to menopause ( GABA, Relora.. ).

12 months ago

phoebe

Active Member

Ask your doctor

I would not dose myself without evidence of a deficiency as I would be concerned that I might somehow tip the balance of my chemistry or tax my body with extra work to clear out the unnecessary dosing.

I take only Vitamin D and the doctor recommended being mindful of my dietary choices for calcium. I was surprised to learn that tofu is an excellent source!

12 months ago

Star

Veteran

I have heard out of the mouths of medical professionals that most vitamin supplements end up in the loo. Also that vitamins are more absorbable in their natural state, ie. in the food you eat. Sounds like you are healthy and do not need to supplement. To answer your question - you know from your bloodwork results. Also more vitamins does not always indicate better. One example is calcium, yes it is bone building and very necessary for some people to supplement but it can also cause plaque build up in arteries if in excess.

12 months ago

Anonymous

I used to take a bunch of stuff, and now no longer bother. I do take vitamin D in winter, as I have been tested as extremely low, and iron at moon time cause I get anemic then. Haven't noticed any difference.

12 months ago

LJP

Veteran

You don't. Other than iron supplements , most of it is a crap shoot unless you are testing levels constantly. I take a lot of things and often wonder how much money I'm wasting. I've decided to err on the side of caution though. Lots of Vit D, Omega /fish oil, Calcium , multi vitamin, a probiotic, collagen, and other stuff when it occurs to me (like turmeric, B12, VitC etc).

12 months ago

Irina

Veteran

As a vegetarian I sometimes have low levels of iron, so I take iron supplements once in a while. I take vit D every day but keep calcium & magnesium on one months on/ one month off. My doctor warned me about taking too much calcium but I need it as without it my nails break all the time. I also take zinc once in a while.

12 months ago

Sal

Veteran

I know exactly that feeling! Reading along with interest!

12 months ago

Runcarla

Veteran

My doc okayed a multivitamin due to routine low iron, and the fact that I was very active in fitness/sports activities - plus I was donating blood regularly. (I would sometimes be rejected for low iron - but managed 48 donations before I had to stop.) 5 years ago I got a diagnosis of an autoimmune condition, and it affects my GI system, digestion, and the absorption of nutrients. I do manage my diet to optimize nutrients, and the multivitamin to cover anything I might miss. It must deliver something, because if I go without for a week, I notice increased fatigue. The doc thinks it’s a good idea, and my blood work has been good.

I’m 62 yo and lead a pretty active lifestyle. I don’t take the vitamins marketed to ‘over 50 yo women’ because the iron % is lower. (Assuming menses are over, so less of a need.) However, I don’t take any of the mega dose versions either - just a generic drugstore product.

12 months ago

cat2

Veteran

My GP recommended Vitamin D; my OBGYN recommended fish oil with a specific composition of fatty acids, and I found out by trial and error that a dose of antioxidants reduces the number of colds I catch. I ran the whole mix past my GP and she was fine with it.

12 months ago

Bijou

Veteran

I would proceed with caution and in consultation with your GP. I was taking calcium supplements because my mother and grandmother both had osteoporosis and I have below average bone density. Unfortunately, this led to kidney stones, which were painful but thankfully did not lead to permanent kidney damage - which could have happened. My GP does an annual blood test and has from time to time put me on a program of Vitamin D supplements, but that is it. Doing weight bearing exercise and eating well are the ways I am trying to maintain healthy bones now.

12 months ago

Echo

Veteran

I agree with Lisa, and I err on the side of caution. I take Vitamin D (have tested low and was on Rx D for a while), but I also take AREDS for my eyes (can't hurt), a collagen/biotin/hyaluronic acid supplement for joints, a probiotic. It may be a placebo effect, but I can tell when I stop taking the supplement for my joints, and I definitely have fewer tummy issues with the probiotic.

12 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I agree with those who err on the side of caution!

FWIW, here is my experience:

I had another Dexa scan recently. I have low bone density too. Osteopenia. Had it since I was 29. I'm 53 in 6 weeks. But it has improved over the last 18 years! An ongoing diet mega full of the right green vegetables and dairy products, and weight bearing exercise like my yoga and walking lifestyle has really helped. More than the calcium supplements I was taking and stopped because they flush out your body, and do not absorb properly....... apparently. Research on it is a moving target, and GP's differ in their opinions.

Under the recommendation of the my current GP this year though, I am back on calcium and vitamin D. So I am doing that for a while....again

I don't take other supplements.

High fiving, Bijou! Our strategies sound similar.

12 months ago

Helena

Veteran

I'm another one echoing to check with your GP ... I always think if something is potent enough to do good, it must be potent enough to do harm, depending on one's body, etc. ... so I like to be cautious.

The one thing I occasionally take that my doctor says I don't need but would be harmless, is turmeric for bad joint pain in my hands. I do find it works although this could well be a placebo effect. I take it in the lowest dose available; whereas with the ones she recommends I take her recommended dose. If she ever told me to stop taking it, I would do so immediately, and I'm sure to tell her that I'm still taking it.

Iron is the critical one and it shows up on blood tests - an example where you have to be careful, I have low iron currently but hemachromatosis runs on both sides of my family, so I need to be alert to changes as it could have serious consequences.

Vitamin D is one of those that is recommended for all Canadians to take due to lack of sunshine.

All that to say, I'd definitely ask your doctor, if only for advice around dosing and side effects, so you can make an informed decision. But it sounds like you're in great health so I wouldn't worry that you are *not* taking them unless dr. tells you so!

12 months ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

GPs do differ is the issue. The only one I take is the Vitamin D once a month, as I also have osteopenia since I had my first Dexa scan at age 50 ( I did that as a precaution since menopause was at age 46 which is earlier than many, hence less estrogen). One of the big medical studies suggesting not taking calcium supplements for most people was done here in Auckland by the Auckland University Bone Group. Food intake of calcium is suggested instead, obviously more difficult for those who are vegan. Iron and B12 can be low in vegetarians so we do bloods for those. Some studies also suggest Vitamin D is not needed unless in residential care (aged care) but I take it anyway as I don’t get much sun in the winter! And even in summer I wish to protect against skin cancer which has very high rates here.
I may do the AREDS a bit later as my mother had macular degeneration in her 70s.
The only time I suggest multivitamins when blood work is normal is for those who still feel tired- such as an 89 year old man a couple of months past Covid recently. Might just boost him up, he’s otherwise very healthy for his age. Not sure that’s entirely scientific, not easy to be fully scientific in 15 minute consultations each day but I do my best! His blood tests were all good.

12 months ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

By the way in this thread both positions are said to be “erring on the side of caution”! Read the thread again! Both taking supplements and not taking them. So you can’t follow the example of everyone who says that as they are doing the opposite to each other.
A huge amount of money is wasted on unnecessary supplements worldwide I suspect. Better than on illegal drugs or nicotine though!

12 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Jenni, soooo enjoyed your professional opinion. Thank you!

12 months ago

The Cat

Veteran

To answer your question: I see as well as feel what works. In my case, vitamin B is a great help against stress, and vitamin C against infections and pollen allergy. In addition, both of these vitamins seem to be great for my skin, hair, nails, energy levels and general feeling of well-being.

You asked about vitamins only, but I will happily share my experience from taking supplements of the mineral zinc, too: It speeds up the healing of damaged skin.

12 months ago

Irina

Veteran

Jenni NZ, thanks. I also have done the bone density scan. Unfortunately it was done after my injury on the suggestion of my surgeon. I’m low bone density but my broken bones healed rather fast. In addition to daily walking, I do weights and yoga now hoping to improve the situation and prevent bad breaks in the future.

12 months ago

LJP

Veteran

I used the wrong word when I wrote "erring on the side of caution". What I meant was that if I was in doubt about needing more of a certain vitamin or mineral, I took it , rather than no. Sorry for contributing to any confusion.

11 months ago

em

Active Member

Wow, more confused than ever. My doctor looks at my blood tests every year and says, "you're good, you might want to take an iron pill." I know I should because I never have enough whatever-I-need in order to give blood, but as my day to day life doesn't seem to suffer, I always forget. Someone told me to try fish oil, and I keep a bottle around and take one whenever the mood strikes. But what about other collagen? I was looking at Beauty Pie and wow, there seems to be something for everything.

11 months ago

anchie

Veteran

I recently visidet functional medicine clinik and gave stool, hair, urin and blood samples for testing. I just got results back, they found that I am low on Iron, B12, D3 and CQ10. They also prescribed 3 types of probiotics to address gut flora imbalance. They also recommeded to take magnesium, tumeric and boswelia. I am still waiting for hair results. I will take supplements for the next 3 months and repeat the test. They also prescribed elimination diet to follow for the next 3 months. This is I think only way to know if you need something and if it is working.

11 months ago

unfrumped

Veteran

The drive to take all kinds of vitamins and supplements drives me crazy — if I stop and think about it. The purveyors are laughing all the way to the bank. It’s a huge industry just separating you from your $$.
With the exception of identified deficiencies like Fe- deficient anemia and some other B - vitamin anemias and vit D and people with absorption abnormalities. A relatively limited # of things. Sure there are likely things that have not been identified yet, but will be discovered at some point, but then in that case, it’s umm, unidentified and not able to know what to do.

11 months ago

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