Danp, Just so we're clear, Raven and I are on the same page regarding vitamin Dⁱ levels.  You'll need to get your levels up.  But, you have to work up to it (as with most things) slowly.  Don't rush it; ease your levels upward. 

Hi Dan, Go to the forum link at the side of this page.  There you will find the headings under which people submit their topics.   There is an entire section regarding research on Vitamin Dⁱ.   This has been compiled by a member called Red.    At my initial testing I had a Vit D3 of 22 (USAmeasurement units, Other parts of the world express on a different but corresponding scale).

It is amazingly hard to get enough natural Vit D the year round or if you cannot access the sun in the summer at the high point of in the sky.   5 years ago this was leading edge now even the everyday medical establishment is becoming interested in Vit D again beyond the prevention of Rickets.

I get my level somewhere between 80 and 100.   Once it got up to 140 because I changed brands from oil based to dry powder form and my absorption was better.   My doc suggested the oil and I stayed with it and try as I might I could not get my level above 50.  Then I changed to the dry and good thing that I tested as my absorption increased finally and I over shot for a brief period of time.

There are links in some of those posts to low cost vit D testing that does not need a doc and is also self pay but reasonable.

Hope you find this somewhat helpful.   Louise

DanP,    How many IUs were you taking for the period of 3 months prior to that blood test that was on the very low side.    

There is a sublingual one however just because you were low does not mean that you cannot absorb it.     

What do you mean that if you bump it to around 80 my problems (which problems) should reduce?

A metronidazole (flagyl) pulse is part of the antibiotic protocol.  While we take doxycycline and azithromycin all the time, for five days out of every twenty-eight days we also take metronidazole (or tinidazole).

Now, what authority claims more than 10,000iu of vitamin D3 causes cancer?  (Since I take 14,000iu/daily, I'm amused by this.)

High doses of vitamin Dⁱ wouldn't cause cancer in people who are taking high doses to correct a deficiency.  That's why the blood test is important.

danp, cpnⁱ probably isn't affecting your ability to absorb or process vitamin D.  it is much more likely that cpn went chronic in your body because you couldn't maintain healthy levels in the first place.  For me, it is a genetic deficiency.  I am not sure about most on this forum, however.

I can sympathise with the severe insomnia. Have you tried melatoninⁱ? (not the homeopathic dose, in aus we get prescription dose and it's a compound liquid). It certainly hasn't cured my insomnia but I at least get 5-6 hours most nights instead of 3. I take approx. 0.9mls half hr before bed. It's a hormone produced by the body which is apparently low in autoimmune conditions. I find it really helpful.