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Copernicus's avatar

RBC magnesium provides a better reflection of body stores of magnesium. Desired value is in the top half of the reference range.

While recently in hospital for appendectomy, serum mag levels were low and I was given IV mag daily. The internal med dr commented, well, hospital diets aren't very high in magnesium. And I said, well, most foods nowadays are low in magnesium. I don't think he even noticed.

On my day of discharge, I had to explain to my nurse that the mag oxide pill she came in to give me for my "low magnesium" wasn't going to do anything for my magnesium levels and had been ordered a few days prior to help with post-op ileus.

Robin Whittle's avatar

The very low level of circulating calcitriol acts as a hormone so the kidneys can alter the behavior of multiple cell types in distant parts of the body which are involved in calcium-phosphate-bone metabolism.

The immune system is not significantly affected by this. Many types of immune cell use 25-hydroxyvitamin D to calcitriol intracrine (within a single cell) and paracrine (to nearby cells) signaling. Many clinicians and resarchers do not understand this at all - in part because there are no peer-reviewed tutorial explanations of these crucially important signaling systems. Please see my explanation: https://vitamindstopscovid.info/00-evi/#02-compounds - or in greater detail: https://vitamindstopscovid.info/02-intracrine/. These have nothing to do with hormonal (endocrine) signaling.

In order for many types of immune cell to respond to their changing circumstances, there must be a good supply of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Neither vitamin D3 nor 25-hydroxyvitamin D function as hormones. Calcitriol has one well-known hormonal function. Many types of immune cells use calcitriol as an intracrine and/or paracrine agent - a totally different system from hormonal signaling.

John Schnetzler's avatar

Great article! Thank you!

Michelle Dostie's avatar

Have you studied Vit D3 separately?

Sherry Regiani's avatar

What about the action of K2 on Vit D 3 supplementations?

MarshaLouise's avatar

Why is K2 left out of any article on D3? This is a major new requirement these days.

Pauline Moore's avatar

Thank you Bill, another terrific article, can't wait for your book to publish.

Interestingly, I've heard numerous accounts from people who have struggled to get their blood vit D levels up to an acceptable level despite years of supplementation with D3 and highly bioavailable Mg. However, once they added in K2, adequate blood vit D was achieved quite quickly.

Root Causes | Medical Clinic's avatar

fascinating article, thank you!

Emmee Thelperro's avatar

I have taken 10,000 international units of vitamin D3 for two years until my level was actually over 110 to 113 NG

For the last six months, I’ve reduced it to 7500 international units of vitamin D3 and I’m now down to 85NG I unfortunately do not seem to get any benefit from sun exposure for D3 at all, as well, I have my D3 calcium, etc. basic markers tested every 21 days for the last two years, allowing me to adjust my vitamins easily and see results quickly. I do take magnesium BIS glycinate in the evenings powder form with hot water to activate the extra molecule.

Excellent read as usual and also looking forward to your book

Fanona's avatar

Besides glycinate & citrate, which types of MG supplements?

Carol_007's avatar

Thank you for this very important information, William.

Rebecca McClellan's avatar

Wow! Thanks so much! Actually something that is real on the internet! Do you have a book that that I could buy?

jwemd's avatar

Vitamin/hormone D has 4 additional cofactors for optimal function.