Vitamin D3 Regimen for Cluster Headache
Reviewed by the Clusterbusters Medical Board
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The vitamin D3 vitamin regimen was developed by a fellow clusterhead and has helped many people in this community reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of their attacks. At a high level, it combines high-dose vitamin D3 with a set of cofactors and anti-inflammatory supplements taken daily. As with any supplement regimen, discuss it with your healthcare provider before beginning.
The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Regimen
| Supplement | Dose |
|---|---|
| Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) | 10,000 IU/day (Adjust as needed to keep serum 25(OH)D > 60 to 80 ng/mL) |
| Omega 3 Fish Oil | 1000 to 2400 mg/day (Minimum of EPA 360 mg/day, DHA 240 mg/day) |
| Calcium | 220 to 500 mg/day (calcium citrate preferred) |
| Magnesium | 400 to 500 mg/day (magnesium malate, magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate) |
| Vitamin K2 (MK-4 & MK-7) | MK-4 1000 mcg/day, MK-7 200 mcg/day (MK-7 preferred due to half-life) |
| Vitamin A (Retinol) | 900 mcg (3,000 IU) for men, 700 mcg (2,333 IU) for women |
| Vitamin B-50 | (Take for three months only, the Mature Multi-vitamin will be sufficient after that) |
| Zinc | 10 mg/day |
| Boron | 1 mg/day |
D3 loading Schedule by Batch
Start by taking the basic regimen at 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 on the first day. If there are no reactions to any of the supplements (rare) proceed with either of the two following accelerated loading schedules. Be sure to take the rest of the anti-inflammatory each day during this schedule.
Two-Week Loading Schedule
Week 1: 50,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for seven days. Take all other supplements and cofactors daily.
Week 2: 40,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for six days, then drop to 10,000 IU/day on the seventh day. This becomes your ongoing maintenance dose. Take all other supplements and cofactors daily.
Four-Week Loading Schedule
Week 1: 20,000 IU/day vitamin D3 plus one (1) loading dose of 50,000 IU/week vitamin D3
Week 2: 20,000 IU/day vitamin D3 plus one (1) loading dose of 50,000 IU/week vitamin D3
Week 3: 15,000 IU/day vitamin D3 and no loading dose
Week 4: 15,000 IU/day vitamin D3 and no loading dose
At the end of week four, drop to 10,000 IU/day as your ongoing maintenance dose. Take all supplements and cofactors daily throughout.
Both schedules are safe, equally effective, and are designed to bring your 25(OH)D serum concentration up to a therapeutic level of approximately 80 ng/mL as quickly as possible. Most people following either schedule see a significant reduction in the frequency, severity, and duration of attacks faster than they would at the maintenance dose alone.
Adjusting Your Dose
The target serum concentration is 80 ng/mL. Total loading dose can be adjusted at a rate of 100,000 IU of vitamin D3 per 10 ng/mL of 25(OH)D response needed.
Because vitamin D3 is fat-soluble, BMI also affects how the body absorbs and processes it. Adjust accordingly:
- BMI under 18.5: subtract 100,000 IU from the total loading dose
- BMI of 25 or above: add 100,000 IU to the total loading dose
Frequently Asked Questions
Does vitamin D3 help with cluster headaches?
Many people in this community report fewer, less severe, and shorter attacks on the D3 regimen developed by a fellow patient. Responses vary, so it is best discussed with your healthcare provider.
What is the target vitamin D level for the cluster headache D3 regimen?
The target 25(OH)D serum concentration is about 80 ng/mL. The loading schedules are built to reach that level as quickly as possible, after which most people move to a maintenance dose.
What is the maintenance dose after loading?
Both the two-week and four-week schedules step down to 10,000 IU per day as the ongoing maintenance dose, with all cofactors and anti-inflammatory supplements continued daily.
How is the D3 dose adjusted?
Dose is adjusted by roughly 100,000 IU of vitamin D3 for every 10 ng/mL of additional response needed toward the target. Because D3 is fat-soluble, BMI also factors in. Adjustments should be guided by blood tests and your provider.
Other Treatment Options
Many of us run the D3 regimen alongside standard treatment rather than instead of it. Here is what else is worth having in place.