Low Vitamin D issue after DCIS

TammyJ65

I had a follow up appt with the oncologist Friday and they done some blood work. They called me today to tell me my Vitamin D level was extremely low. The doctor said she has never seen it that low in any patient before.They put me on Drisdol and a over the counter supplement. Has anyone ever experienced this? The doctor said she started doing this test on all of her breast cancer patient. I am not sure why? Should I have some symptoms with this being so low? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you

Tammy

Rande

I have had breast cancer three times in my right breast. Fortunately all of them DCIS. Had a mastectomy finally after the third time in Nov 2004. After reading an article about the possible correlation of women with a low vitamin D level and breast cancer, I asked my PCP to check my vitamin D level and it also was very low (14 nanos). It should be somewhere between 24 and 50 or 60,  He started me on 1000 units of Vitamin D 3. I also take calcium with vitamin D and of course there is vitamin D in milk. He is going to check it again in June when I have my yearly physical. I didn't have any symptom that I could notice. I just happen to read about it and started to ask questions. In fact, I bought the vitamin D before I saw my doctor and he said it was a good idea to take it and I asked him about running the lab work to check my level. Apparently, this is something that not all have been aware of to check for routinely. I am glad that I brought it to his attention. I didn't realize that my Vitamin D level was so low even though I live in Michigan and we don't have much sunlight during the long winter months. I also had been avoiding exposure to direct sunlight as I have very fair skin and had a pre-skin cancer removed from my face about 5 years ago. From everything that I have researched since becoming aware of this correlation I am convinced that this deficency could be an important finding.

cp418

If you do a GOOGLE search on Vitamin D you will find it frequently in the news the past 2-3 years.  Some studies indicate low vitamin D levels linked to several kinds of cancers, cardiac health in addition to weak bones.  So many doctors and oncologists are now testing breast cancer patients for low levels.  Many people (including children) are unaware they have low levels. Possibly related to diet and living in northern areas. 

Also you will find this topic discussed several times in these forums.  Try a search for the links.

quinnie

Interesting that I found this topic. My oncologist is going to test my vitamin D levels next visit. I had a routine dexascan and it showed beginning osteopenia in my hip. I was floored since I have 4 sisters and a mom who have normal dexa's and generations of strong women who have no osteoporosis. I am very low risk for osteopenia/osteoporosis so she might be thinking vitamin D deficiency which can also be related to BC. I will know in a couple weeks.

Good topic-thanks for bring this up. I am anxious to hear what everyone thinks.

Quinnie 

PSK07

Low vitamin D levels seem to be common in BC women, but studies aren't there on whether it is a cause of cancer or just a by product or no relation at all.

I had my levels checked last year - here in Seattle it seems that there is a lot of vitamin D deficiency, period. Mine was quite low, I went on 50,000 IU/week for 8 weeks and then 1000 IU/day for another 8 weeks. Levels were still low, so I went back on the 50K. Time to get my levels checked again. I also try to get 20 minutes of sun exposure per day w/o sunscreen, which goes against everything, but my levels have got to get up to normal.

There are a few discussions on Vit D here on BC.org if you do a search.

mom23girls

I was recently diagnosed with DCIS.  After my biopsy I bled alot forming a golf ball size hematoma. During that time the rad suggested maybe the calcifications were arterial even though it didn't seem likely.  I had several days to wait for path labs so I did alot of research on arterial calcifications.  Everything led to hypercalcemia - hyperparathyroidism - even Monkenberg's disease.  Anyhow, hyperparathyroidism means that the parathyroid is not working properly and releasing more calcium into the blood than needed.  Several of sites talk about Vitamin D difficiencies as a result.  My labs came back positive for high grade DCIS, however, I can't help but wonder if I have DCIS because of an inefficient parathyroid.  I am going to ask for appropriate testing.  Has anyone else been tested?  Has anyone else been informed of a link between DCIS and hypercalcemia due to hyperparathyriodism?   Just curious!

TammyJ65

mom23girls,

I am not sure, I am new about all this. there are alot of people on this site that probably have some information for you.

Tammy

mawhinney

When taking over the counter vitamin D read the instructions carefully.  Some needs to be taken with food to help the body absorb it and some does not.

Also I have read that you should not take all your vitamins at the same time as your body can only absorb so much at one time.  It is better to take your vitamins in smaller doses throughout the day.

MariannaLaFrance

Mom23girls

Yes, there are links with hyperparathyroidism and breast cancer. No knowledge if that link leads to DCIS or not, but I know there is a connection. I have been monitored for hyperparathyroidism for several years, but my calcium levels remain intact while my PTH parathyroid levels seem to be high, so docs have thought that I do not have hyperparathyroidism.  However, I am extremely Vit D deficient. I have been placed on 50,000 IU weekly of Drisdol. Apparently, this is the D2 form of Vitamin D, when in reality, I should be taking Vitamin D3. However, I will continue with the 6 weeks of 50K IUs, followed by supplementation with 2000 IU's daily after that. My endocrinologist feels like my PTH levels might level out once my Vit D levels are corrected. We will see. I am trying to trace the source of this BC, as strange as that may sound, and I think the link to my parathyroid levels and Vit D cannot be ignored.

mom3band1g

Make sure you are taking vit D3....the 3 is important.  I had been tested for D def a year ago and my levels were 19.  I was surprised as we live in the South and I am outside with the kids all day every day!  I was put on 10,000iu's twice a day for a month and then switched to 2,000iu's for life.  I did feel a difference after the first month, I just felt 'better'.  My new 'project' is to figure out why my hormones are out of whack. 

Marianna - HI!- I too am trying to figure out 'why' so it doens't happen again.  For me, I'm thinking hormones.

ladyod

I have been posting on another thread with two friends and we all have low Vit D levels.  Vit D is actually a hormone important for many body functions.  I have only taken my supplement once, but I feel as though my muscles are less sore.  I have read that Vit D is linked to breast cancer.  I will go back to my thread and post the website my friend Olivia posted for me.  www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20080516/vitamin-d-deficiency-worsens-breast-cancer

http://d-featbreastcancer.com/

3monstmama

My breast cancer diagnois came right before my regular physical.  At the physical, my doctor did a blood test for Vit D--to the best of my knowledge it had never been checked before.  I came back a 13.  I have done the 50,000 units once a week since early December --refilled the prescription a few weeks ago.  The Oncologist said that I could do additional D but make sure it was combined with fat so I got drops of D3 in 1000 units.  I take those daily or even twice a day.

My oncologist is planning to do a full blood work up when I come to see her in May after I am done with my Zapping.  It will be interesting to see what my levels are after all the supplements---I will be sure to report. 

sweatyspice

My (new) PCP did a blood test as part of my annual checkup the year before I was diagnosed - low Vit D and low Magnesium.  I wasn't terrible proactive about taking the supplements.  The next year, a few months before diagnosis, we did another annual test - this time I was low in D, Magnesium and B-12.  Then I was diagnosed.  Now I take the supplements (though I'm still pretty bad at taking the magnesium, those are big and hard to swallow!).

Not sure if I should be taking the Ds through rads though.

I started with 2000 iu's of D3, then decided to take 4000 iu's.  Now, in rads, I've gone back to 2000.  I know, I should probably talk to my PCP.

MariannaLaFrance

Hi sweatyspice,  My Rad Onc told me that Vit D was okay during Rads, didn't have a problem with me taking it, especially when I told him that I had been diagnosed as Vit D deficient. 

I took myself off of the Drisdol today (I've only taken one dose- 50K weekly), mainly because of what I've read about D3 being more important.... so I bought a grocery-store brand of D3, and I've taken 2500 today. My levels were at 39 a few weeks ago when I got tested at my endocrinologist. I am wondering if I can "up" the D3 to 7000 a day, which is essentially what I would have gotten from the massive doses of Drisdol. I know, I know, I shouldn't doubt my docs, but of course, I read too much and look where it gets me!!!

MariannaLaFrance

Hey mom3b1g,

So glad to see you posting here! Hope you're recouperating well from your surgery. Please do share what symptoms (though generally feeling "better" is a good one!) you felt after getting your Vit D levels up.  I am really interested in this supplementation, and am hoping it clears up some other things which have bothered me, like IBS, etc.  Glad to "see" you here!