Tareq,

Thank you for the kind words and detailed headache log.  That you're still having calls from the CH beast tells me you need a higher dose of vitamin D3.  Data from the online survey of CHers taking the anti-inflammatory regimen indicate the pain free 25(OH)D serum concentration range is between 80 and 120 ng/mL and higher for some CHers.   Even with 25(OH)D concentrations above 150 ng/mL and seven years of feedback on the results of this regimen, we've yet to have a CHer report hypercalcemia, too much serum calcium, the only real indication of vitamin D3 toxicity.

If you're still in cycle, see your PCP for lab tests of your serum 25(OH)D, total calcium and PTH, then start adding more vitamin D3 to the daily intake by 5,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 on top of your normal maintenance dose.  Do this for 3 days.  If the CH continue, bump the daily vitamin D3 dose by another 5,000 IU/day.

I suspect you'll find the optimum dose to keep you CH pain free between 15,000 IU/day and 25,000 IU/day.  After a month of increased vitamin D3 intake, see your PCP for another round of labs for your 25(OH)D, total calcium and PTH.   As long as your serum calcium remains within its normal reference range, there's no problem with the vitamin D3 dose or the resulting 25(OH)D serum concentration.

For reference my average vitamin D3 intake over the last few years is 20,000 IU/day to remain CH pain free and my 25(OH)D has averaged 140 ±50 ng/mL.  My serum calcium has remained within its normal reference range...

It's also best to stay on this regimen year round.  There are several advantages in doing this and the biggest two are, there's no ramp up in vitamin D3 required when your regular cycle time comes around. The second is there are so many wonderful health benefits from taking this regimen, taking it year round helps ensure optimum health.

Thanks again and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Hey Tareq,

Good question...  I'll stand by the overwhelming medical evidence that vitamin D3 does not cause kidney stones...  and you've already broken the code with respect to causality and your kidney stones as you had this condition prior to starting vitamin D3 therapy.

One of the best examples of medical evidence follows...

Kidney stones independent of vitamin D levels in range 20-100 ng – Oct 2013

25-Hydroxyvitamin D in the Range of 20 to 100 ng/mL and Incidence of Kidney Stones

Stacie Nguyen, MPH, Leo Baggerly, PhD, Christine French, MS, Robert P. Heaney, MD, Edward D. Gorham, PhD, and Cedric F. Garland, DrPH

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

When it comes to causality and kidney stones, dehydration and high Body Mass Index (BMI) are the two leading factors...  As CHers, we need to drink 2.5 liters of water a day.  This helps prevent CH and in the process, helps prevent kidney stones...

The chemistry behind crystal formation in water is fairly simple...  Higher dissolved salt concentrations lead to the formation of crystals and continued crystal growth.  As our kidneys function by filtering and concentrating dissolved salts, minerals and proteins from the bloodstream into urine, it's important to keep the blood flow hydrated to help flush these dissolved salts from the kidneys into urine before they concentrate to the point of crystal formation. 

In short, as we drink more water our kidneys produce more urine with lower concentrations of dissolved salts and minerals.  Urine color is the clue you're looking for to determine if your water intake is adequate.  If the urine is dark yellow to yellow... we need a lot more water.  It its pale straw color to nearly clear, we're looking good with plenty of hydration...

In addition to the 2.5 liters of water a day, taking vitamin K2 also helps by moving calcium from arteries and soft tissues into building bone mineral density...

A high BMI (too much body fat) is another story...

1. My goal for 2017 was to lose 10 pounds. It's now 2018 and I've only 15 to go...

2. Ate salad for dinner last night. Mostly croutons & tomatoes. Really just one big round crouton covered with tomato sauce. And cheese. FINE, it was a pizza. I ate a pizza.

3. How to  prepare Tofu:
   a.  Throw it in the trash
   b.  Grill some meat

4. I just did a week's worth of cardio after walking into a spider web

5. I don't mean to brag, but I finished my 14-day Nutrisystem diet in 3 hours and 20 minutes.

6. A recent study has found women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.

Hope this helps...  Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch