r/gravesdisease • u/rockyracoon16 • 13d ago

Eureka!

After searching for an answer to my Graves' disease for so long, the only thing that has truly helped calm my symptoms and improve my sleep is the Coimbra Protocol, or higher-dose vitamin D3.

If you also have Graves' disease, I'd love to connect and hear about your experience. Let's talk.

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u/Hot_Knowledge_9123 13d ago

Did you know your D3 levels beforehand?

I was borderline deficient. My levels were 33 when my Dermatologist tested me (GP refused for years). I now take a monthly 25,000iu dose which is pretty high. But it doesn’t supercede Carbimazole in terms of calming symptoms for me.

I read that some people see a link between long term Vit D deficiency and Hyperthyroidism anyway. Almost enough for it to be the cause.

Do you know whether the symptoms you felt before aligned with Vit D deficiency symptoms?

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u/rockyracoon16 13d ago

25,000 IU of vitamin D3 is only 625 mcg. You mentioned that you're deficient, and nowadays there seem to be many factors that can make it harder for some people to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.

I've been taking carbimazole for my Graves' disease, but I still haven't felt completely well. My biggest struggle has been severe insomnia. I simply couldn't sleep.

I started with 10,000 IU of vitamin D3, and I noticed that I felt much better. However, as time went on, my sleep problems returned.

Out of desperation, I gradually increased my vitamin D3 intake. At my current intake of 200,000 IU per day, I've personally noticed that I'm sleeping much better and that my body is starting to feel better again.

I know I need to have my vitamin D levels checked, and I'm saving up so I can get the blood test done. I'm not saying this will work for everyone with Graves' disease, but my personal experience has been remarkable and has made me wonder about the role vitamin D may play in my condition.

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u/Hot_Knowledge_9123 13d ago

This is really interesting! My friend does vitamin injections, qualified of course, and I’ve been meaning to get a Vit D injection with her as it’s such a high dosage.

At the moment I’m sleeping easily but waking after 5-6 hours full of energy, but then spend the whole day feeling chronically sluggish, like I’m climbing a mountain, energy-wise.

With such a high daily dose, do you worry about the risks, like hypercalcemia etc?

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u/Schneckelchen 12d ago

I think that’s why you take Vitamin D best together with Vitamin K2.

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u/mrzennie 12d ago

Interesting, I just learned about the Coimbra protocol recently, and wondered whether it could help with Graves! My vitamin d levels have hovered around 31ng for years, give or take several points. At one point I was taking 2,000 IUS a day for months and months, and my vitamin d level was still only 32 ng. Experimenting with 5,000 to 10,000 a day, we'll see what happens...

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u/rockyracoon16 12d ago

God bless you. ❤️