help with vit D levels

Meece

Wow, Blinded, that's a lot of information.  I got out my calcium/Vit D out tonight and found out that although the lable says 1200, that is jsut a name, and each capsule contains just 200 iu!  I have some pill forms 1000 iu VitD and have upped myself on those.  I will take them with my calcium.  My Onc said to go outside in the sunlight without sunscreen for awhile each day, but that was back in Sept.  Not much effective sunlight in Dec.

You have helped, and I will see how good of a patient I can be until my next test.  It will either be on the 30th or in February.  I would have a better running start if it is in February. Thank you so much!

deni63

THis article was released today by Life Extension. It talks about improved lymphoma survival with higher levels of V D.

http://www.lef.org/newsletter/2009/1208_Vitamin-D-Levels-Associated-with-Improved-Lymphoma-Survival.htm?source=eNewsLetter2009Wk50-1&key=Article&l=0#article

Makratz

I just had my vitamin d level done and it was 21.  I can't believe it.  I am outside everyday walking 3 miles and eat very healthfully.  I also take a multivitamin and calcium with D.  I got a RX for 50,000 IU of D for the next 8 weeks (once a week) then 1,000 IU after that, daily.  I will them be retested. 

Thanks for posting this question.  I think we can all learn here!

rgiuff

Very interesting Makraz, mine was 28 last January, which my Onc says is within normal range.  I will ask to be retested when I go back in 2 months.  If it's not higher, I will then try some higher dose supplements.  Am trying to get outside in the sun more, but it is getting cold here in NY. 

unklezwifeonty

The prescription is D2.

Take 5,000 D3 OTC daily for 8 weeks.

Nan56143

Makraz...the script for D2 is worthless....take the OTC D3 and as much as 10,000 Iu's per day and you will see a rise in your levels. Read the vitamin D council newsletters and you will see what I mean. If you are not taking Magnesium, then your body will not absorb the D3.I posted a few articles somewhere here on D3.

rgiuff...Apparently your onc is not up-to-date on all the latest research on D levels, as 28 is very very low. For a person dx with cancer your levels should be closer to 100 ng. In fact everyone should strive for levels close to 100 ng. Your ....anyone's ...chances of developing cancer or a recurrence are high when your D levels are low. I posted that study also.

Check them out and email your onc's the reports. Time for us to educate them.

Estepp

NAN.. I think I need your help... my D was 4.... yes.......4.. and my onco said there are two D levels.... and the one that was 4 was not as bad as the other D... ??????? anyway.. I take 1000Iu daily with Mag.. and he told me to continue.. but I did not need to increase...???????????

So I take 5000IU anyway now... Can you PM me with some info.. please... if you have the time. I am scared about this.

Laura

Nan56143

Laura,

I will find the posts that I made and direct you to them, and then I will pm you with my email address so that I can send you more. Your onc is very wrong on the levels.

Of course we do know that conventional doctors have about one hour of training on nutrition and vitamins/supplements, because all the text books are written by the pharmaceutical companies, and they would prefer that you take their drugs as opposed to vitamins/supplements.

I know from reading all the articles on D levels that you can safely take 10,000 IU's per day. Get the gel capsules, and most only come in 5000 but an article in the January issue of Life Extension magazine stated that they are going to start making their D3 in 7000. Hang in there sweetie...these conventional doctors need to start reading all the published studies on vitamins and supplements.

BTW...I love this Alternative forum!!

Oh and one more thing ...you need 1000 IU's of D3 to raise you levels by 10ng's, so to get your levels to 100 you really need the 10,000 IU's per day. And...my daughter Lori (dx with TNBC in June 2007), could not get her D levels up until she started on the BHRT. Her levels are now 82.6..and mine...66.

Estepp

THANK YOU NAN!! I am so glad I cannot sleep tonight...:).. I would never have seen this ... TY so much!

gogo_xago

Ladies, my mom just finished chemos and is goint to start rads on January. I'm wondering if it's OK to have vit. D3 during rads or she must avoid it?

Makratz

Thank you Nan for the wealth of information.  See why I love these forums!!  Your information is exactly what I was looking for.  My Dr. also said I should strive for a level of about 100, so I am well below that.  I think I will pick up some more OTC D today and take that with the RX.  I also did not know about the magnesium.  I di take that in a mutli, but will look for a D supplement with mag. I'm not sure if one can possibly take too much D, or if you just urinate what you don't need???

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

SharaD

Healthy amounts of sunshine (not overexposure!) is the best way to absorb Vitamin D for those who are lucky enough to live in Fla or California. As far as supplements go, the amount that is right for you is going to be different for everyone. At your blood draws, you should always ask for a printout of the results and review them for yourself. The doc & nurse glance at them ever so quickly. But you can ponder your numbers and adjust your supplements. If calcium is getting lower and lower, you probably could stand to be taking more Vitamin D as they go hand in hand. If potassium is creeping upward past normal, this is something you have to ask your doctor about as well...you don't want "tumor lysis syndrome" (rare with BREAST cancer but dangerous).
The signs of too much Vitamin D include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting....excellent signals for healthy people but for chemo patients, as you know, we may be feeling this way half the time, anyway.

Popping a supplement is the easy way to try and get what you need,  but they don't work for everyone, believe me I've seen many a tablet go in my mouth and come out my ass,
intact. During chemo, it's definitely difficult to keep to a healthy
diet but well worth the try. Keep in mind that for Vitamin D and calcium you should try to get in as much of the following foods as you can stand:

1.)Wild Alaskan Salmon ( canned is very easy to find).
Cod, or sardines if you can stand them
2.)Yogurt
3.)Swiss Cheese
4.)Milk or calcium-fortified Rice Milk
5.)Almonds
6.)Wild Salmon Oil if you're not eating fish
7.)Beans
8.) Cereals with calcium and VitD, such as Total Raisin Bran

9.) Eggs

Also I want to mention that apples work to fight the onset of nausea for many many people. Give them a try, an apple a day. Wouldn't it be nice not to have to take Emend, Zofran and Compazine? They all have side effects and apples do not. Who needs more side effects? Anything like this that "isn't going to hurt", I am willing to try, what have I got to lose? Organic is definitely a must when it comes to apples, and organic applesauce is readily available. Also works as a stool softener so try an apple a day, if not everyday then starting two days before treatment and for as long after treatment as you can keep it up, see if it makes a difference.

Makratz

Thanks for the info.  I eat salmon and fish about 3-4 times a week. LOVE milk! and yogurt and cereal.  Live in Boston so can't get sun year round but I do go for walk outside year round, daily. 

You guys are a wealth of info!

unklezwifeonty

Gogo,

It's ok to supplement Vitamin D during rads.

bottkota

What does Vit. D do for those of us who have a recurrence?  Someone told me I should be taking 2000 iu daily.  I have never had my levels tested.  Is this something that your  primary doc can do or should I be having my oncologist doing this?  I have heard so much about D but haven't had the time to research it as much.  Any advice for me?  I have mets to my sternum and 3 lymph nodes close by, one close to my aoreta, and the other two close to my sternum.

SharaD

Hi Bott

Vitamin D and magnesium deficiencies can lead to heart disease and stroke, so I'd imagine your primary care doc could check for your levels just like they check your cholesterol.

I think they're just starting to do more thorough research on what Vitamin D can do for us, if anything, DURING treatment.  Most of the data, to my knowledge, is about PREVENTING breast cancer and possibly preventing recurrences:

 http://foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/C_ancer_31/051604362008_Low_blood_vitamin_D_means_high_risk_of_recurrence_of_breast_cancer_or_death.shtml

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166913.php

http://doctorwascher.com/Archives/8-9-09.htmhttp://doctorwascher.com/Archives/8-9-09.htmhttp://doctorwascher.com/Archives/8-9-09.htm

Nan56143

Dear bottkota,

I know I posted this somewhere on the Alternative forum, but I cannot find it, so here it is again.  Vitamin D3 is extremely important in not only preventind cancer but also preventing a recurrence. From what I have read, you can safely take 10,000 IU's per day. However, you really need to tell your doctor that you want your D levels tested. The correct test in the 25-Hydroxy. If you will go back to page 2 of this thread, I have posted other links on D3 also.

Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention: Global Perspective

Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul 1;19(7):468-483, CF Garland, ED Gorham, AR Mohr, FC Garland

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Higher serum levels of the main circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), are associated with substantially lower incidence rates of colon, breast, ovarian, renal, pancreatic, aggressive prostate and other cancers.

METHODS: Epidemiological findings combined with newly discovered mechanisms suggest a new model of cancer etiology that accounts for these actions of 25(OH)D and calcium. Its seven phases are disjunction, initiation, natural selection, overgrowth, metastasis, involution, and transition (abbreviated DINOMIT). Vitamin D metabolites prevent disjunction of cells and are beneficial in other phases.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: It is projected that raising the minimum year- round serum 25(OH)D level to 40 to 60 ng/mL (100-150 nmol/L) would prevent approximately 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year, and three fourths of deaths from these diseases in the United States and Canada, based on observational studies combined with a randomized trial. Such intakes also are expected to reduce case-fatality rates of patients who have breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer by half. There are no unreasonable risks from intake of 2000 IU per day of vitamin D₃, or from a population serum 25(OH)D level of 40 to 60 ng/mL. The time has arrived for nationally coordinated action to substantially increase intake of vitamin D and calcium.

  

 

Anonymous

Hi all - so my vitamin D was 23 at diagnosis.  Now it is 55 (so happy!).  My oncl. definately thinks Vita D is an important part of my post diagnosis treatment, but really wants my level to be 50 and said that over 50 has a negative association as far as breast cancer is concerned - kind of like a bell curve.  Too high or too low is equally bad is how she explained it.

She is fairly cutting edge but I am concerned that this is old information - compared to what I read about on here.  I also read/saw a pretty great youtube on this subject - from a UC San Diego study.

Any info. appreciated!

deni63

I would recommend getting the more recent issue of Life Extension magazine. Their cover story is all about Vitamin D3 and how the numbers we need are higher than originally thought. If you go on their site (www.lef.org) and click on "magazine" they are offering a free issue if you sign up for their newsletter. I would guess that they will send the most current issue, which would be the one with the D article.

Anonymous

Thanks!

cp418

I found Carlson Liquid vitamin D drops easy to take in my tea.  I was taking several doses in pill form and started having issues with burping - - - all gone when I switched to the drops.  Drops come in 1000 or 2000 units.

Nan56143

Dear aprilgirl1,

I am curious as to exactly the study/article to which your onc is referring as to Vitamin D? Please know that I am not knocking your onc, I would just like to read the article which contains that information.

Since my daughter was dx in June of 2007 with TNBC, all that I have read has been favorable as to getting the D levels up to 100 ng and above. The following is a paragraph from the link below speaking to breast cancer.

Studies show women with low levels of vitamin D have a 222% increased risk for developing breast cancer. Ecologic studies have shown an inverse correlation between breast cancer mortality and sun exposure and dietary vitamin D intake. Blood levels of vitamin D at the time of diagnosis of breast cancer accurately predict a woman's survival. The cancer is much more aggressive in those with low serum vitamin D levels: they are 94% more likely to have the cancer metastasize and 73% more likely to die within 10 years of diagnosis

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/research.shtml

As deni has said, Life Extension is a great source of information and the article to which she is referring will probably not be available online until the middle of January, so make sure you get the free copy.

Rabbit_fan

I just read this yesterday in Life Over Cancer by Keith Block:

"Dairy products contain high amounts of calcium, which can tie up the body's store of vitamin D." 

"Although most milk is fortified with vitamin D, other dairy products are not, and supplementation may be necessary to overcome high calcium levels in those whose diets are high in dairy."

Seems to me that calcium supplements must also have the same effect, and we're all told to take them by our doctors.

SharaD

Some of the calcium supplements have Vitamin D added as well. Most of them, in fact. Apparently Calcium is absorbed better when taken along with Vitamin D.

If you're on Rice Milk like me, you might want to choose one with both Vitamin D and Calcium.

rreynolds1

Hi All,

The current recommended levels are above 80.  The old recommended levels were above 45.  Many docs don't know this.

Roseann

Anonymous

Nan - I am not sure - see my onc. in Feb. so I will find out.  I am still taking plenty and assuming my level will continue to increase - I am at 55 (last test 11/13).

I will get the Life Extension magazine - and bring it to my next onc. visit.

She is cautiously optimistic that Vitamin D is a big part of BC.  She said that in the past 15-20 years first Vitamin C was really considered as was Vitamn B (I think).  Both failed to be the actual cure.  She also said that BC is really 5 or more diseases - which is why we all need an individual approach.

I am so thankful for this board and helpful, positive information!  I learn so much from y'all!!

Nan56143

I wrote this post on the TNBC site a few days ago. My daughter Lori, and 5 other women/members of the TNBC site were chosen to be the consumer advisory/committee reviewers for this brochure. Their views/experiences/statements as women dx with TNBC, are included in this brochure. Lori knows that her vitamin D levels are a critical factor in regard to her immune system and yet....... 

I just received over 500 brochures today from LBBC )...(Living Beyond Breast Cancer's Guide  to Understanding Triple Negative Breast Cancer, which Lori and I will distribute), and I am a bit disappointed as to the lack of information on D3, nutrition and supplements also. They say to get your vitamin D and other nutrients from your food. That will never get your D levels where they need to be to prevent cancer or another recurrence. There is not even a mention of all the other vitamins/supplements which are proven to fight cancer such as Magnesium, Selenium and K2, and all the foods also proven to fight cancer.  

With all the information/articles/studies on D3 within the past 2 years, they could have had detailed information on how terribly important this one vitamin is, for not only preventing cancer, but preventing another recurrence. Yet they chose to state to get your D and other nutrients from food.

deni63

Nan, that is so disappointing. And, so frustrating, isn't it?

Anonymous

Nan and all - that is such a disappointment.  I really think low vitamin D levels had a huge part in my personal case - and I seriously preach this to all of my friends and family.

I am happy that most oncologists where I live are on board with it - but from what it sounds like mine needs to get up to speed on the right level.

I eat healthy and my vitamin D level was 23.  There is no way that I can imagine getting it over 50 by eating alone.  I just ordered the Life Extension - thanks for the link.

SharaD

Eating healthy foods is such a big part of the picture.  Sure, diet alone can't boost your Vitamin D levels to 50, but remember that you are getting A LOT of other necessary nutrients by eating well.   Also, there is evidence that the vitamin D in foods is absorbed by SOME PEOPLE much more easily than is the vitamin D in some supplements. 

Did you know that some people can get 20000IU of vitamin D daily, just from being out in the sunshine (arms and legs uncovered)  for 30 minutes a day?  Other people could be out for an hour and not get that much vitamin D....it depends on your latitude, your altitude, the season of the year, the time of day, the tone of your skin, and many other factors.  And some people can't take any sunshine at all.    We are all so different, it's pretty clear that nutrition is not a one-size fits all science.  Also,it's so important to pay attention to your body and how different foods and supplements make you feel. 

 Okay, back to the book I'm reading, "The Vitamin D Revolution".  More later!