help with vit D levels

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  • Nan56143
    Nan56143 Member Posts: 349
    edited January 2010

    bumping for bluewillow

    Loads of info here on Vitamin D3

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Thanks for the bump, Nan. We missed you Smile

    I wonder how many people are unable to get their D levels up. I guess that's why the emulsified was invented. The oil Ds repeat on me.

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  • Nan56143
    Nan56143 Member Posts: 349
    edited January 2010

    Lucy88,

    This was posted on another site. It's worth the read.

    http://www.tonic.com/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-vitamin-d-frank-lipman/ 

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  • O3132W
    O3132W Member Posts: 211
    edited January 2010

    I just found a Vitamin D3 in a 2,000 units at Allergy Research Group.  Check it out.  Cathey

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  • Leia
    Leia Member Posts: 265
    edited January 2010

    I'm taking 10,000 IU of D3/day. And my doc, too, said that my 19 level was "normal." What an idiot. 

     But, I'm my own, advocate.  I don't need some "doctor" to tell me what to do. I know what to do, for myself, and I'm doing it. 

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  • celia088
    celia088 Member Posts: 2,570
    edited January 2010

    nan, thank you for bumping this thread.  I am working my way thru reading it.

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  • Little-G
    Little-G Member Posts: 647
    edited January 2010

    My D is extremely low (I posted on this thread awhile back) the onc's office said 5000 IU's daily of D3 but my GP said that's too little.  I'm taking 10,000/day now and will be retested the middle of next month. 

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  • Nan56143
    Nan56143 Member Posts: 349
    edited January 2010

    I take Walmart's vitamins/supplements, and I know they are working as my D level went from 57 to 66, when I was only taking 1000 IU's. Yet, I don't see their vitamins/supplements listed on that one thread. I now take 3000-4000 IU's. 

    Little-G...good for your GP!! It is so sad that the onc's know so little about this all important vitamin/prehormone. If they would take the time to read their oncology newsletters, perhaps they could pass the onfo along to theit patients.

    Leia...you are so right!! This is your body...your life!!

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited January 2010

    Nan, I buy all my supplements at walmart.  They have a brand called spring Valley that contains no soy etc.

    I'm curious to see what our next D level reads are.  Mine is next month too.

    Linda

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  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited January 2010

    Makraz: You said you buy all your supplements from Wal-Mart. I am glad you're happy with your supplements, but I also hear that Wal-Mart has lots of goods coming from China. One of my friends discovered that one of the supplements she was taking, while manufactured in the US, had ingredients coming from China.

    I am not anti-China: I am just concerned about the seemingly endless stream of adulterated products coming from China.

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited January 2010

    Yazmin, I hear you on the Walmart thing!  Before I had kids I refused to shop there.  Now, financially, it's easier for me to buy certain things there. 

    I am looking at 2 different vitamins from SpringValley.  The bottle says one is manufactured in Carson CA, the other from Bohemia NY.  The D is not from Walmart (I thought it was).  It's from Target.  Origin is the brand, which is a target brand.  It says Made in the USA on the bottle.

    I guess my main concern when shopping fofr vitamins/supplements is that they did not contain soy.  I should also be checking to see where they were made.  Thanks!

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Oncs don't make huge salaries by giving you advice to take a 10c pill a day, do they?



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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited January 2010
    Hi Nan and THANK YOU so much for bumping this up and for your reply on my post.  I really do appreciate the info from you and everyone!  I will read all this info and take notes, and hopefully will be armed with the knowledge to know what kind of Vit D to take!! (I have to take notes-- I can't remember anything anymore! Embarassed)
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  • RobinWendy
    RobinWendy Member Posts: 1,983
    edited January 2010

    When do you ladies take your Vitamin D? and do you break it up during the day or take it all at once.  One of the things that Dr. Chang (complementary doctor) had me do the last time I saw him was up my Vitamin D3 intake from 2000IUs per day to 4000.  He did not test my levels when he gave me this recommendation two years ago... another reason not to like him after the fact.

    I have been taking 2000 in the mornign and 2000 before bedtime.  Is this necessary?  I read on one of these threads that Vitamin D3 helps people sleep better.  I have sleep issues so this caught my eye.  Would I be better off taking all 4000 at night?  Do you think I should have my levels tested to make sure I'm taking enough/too much?

    I'd appreciate your opinions.  Thanks

    Robin 

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited January 2010

    Good question Wendy.  I know you can only absorb so much calcium at one time, I wonder if the same is true for D?  I take  mine in the monring and at night too.

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  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited January 2010

    RobinWendy and Makraz: see CrunchPoodleMama's thread on when to take your vitamins/supplements (she has actually made a list). According to that discussion, the best time to take Vitamin D3 is in the evening, with your magnesium (if I remember well), because that helps with your sleep. HOWEVER, I just received a follow-up letter from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America-Philadelphia, reminding me to take my Vitamin D3.....with my LARGEST meal of the day.

    (who wrote: cancer, the gift that keeps on giving? That's absolutely right, for sure).

    EDITED TO ADD:

    CrunchyPoodleMama's thread is entitled: Supplements: chart for which to take w/ food vs. without?

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  • RobinWendy
    RobinWendy Member Posts: 1,983
    edited January 2010

    Thanks Yazimin... since my largest meal is dinner and I do eat dinner in the evening -- I guess I will start taking it all with my dinner.  It does make it easier.

    Robin 

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited January 2010

    Hey I just saw these updates...

    I am taking 6000 IUs of vitamin D, and I take the calcium and D this way:

    A.M.   (4 hours AFTER I take my Synthroid :P)    630 mg Calcium and 2000 IUs of D3

    4 hours later, maybe lunchtime...    630 mg Calcium and 2000 IUs of D3

    8:00 or 9:00PM...    630 mg Calcium and 2000 IUs of D3

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited January 2010

    Thanks for the info!  I will check out her thread.

    Linda

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  • O3132W
    O3132W Member Posts: 211
    edited February 2010

    I have been taking 50,000iu of Vit D2 for the last ten weeks (one per week) and just got my blood level test results.  Ten weeks ago my Vit D level in my blood was 23.7 and is now 42.5.  My med onc now wants me to start taking 1200 vit d and 1200 of calcium. 

    My calcium level is 9.2  (normal is 8.4-10.2)  I hope this helps someone who is questioning their vit. d level.    Cathey

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited February 2010

    Thanks for sharing Cathey.  I was on the same regime and will be tested again next week.  Along with the D2, I have been taking D3 as well.  I hope my level goes up like yours did.  Do you feel any difference?

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  • O3132W
    O3132W Member Posts: 211
    edited February 2010

    Makraz:  I wish I could say that I felt better but the truth is that I feel nothing.  I had no  side effects each week and even now I feel no change.  I guess that is a good thing, to feel no change and still get good results.  I plan to take D3 1200 per day now in hopes of retaining a good level

    It might be interesting to note that I have stayed indoors during this last 10 weeks and seldom go outside, which means the D2 worked for me without natural sunshine. 

    Let us know about your results when you get them.  For some reason it took a whole week to get my results.  Good luck to you   Cathey from Indiana

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited February 2010

    Thanks Cathey,

    I am outside everyday.  I am a walker, year round.  I just don't think the sun gives us enough D in the winter. 

    I was suffering from mild depression prior to my going on D.  That is all gone and I feel so much better.  I tried Effexor and had a horrible reaction to it so I stopped.  I didn't think it would help with my depression, but it did.

    Thanks and I will let you know my results!  Off to the breast surgeon this monring for a routine followup.  It never ends! 

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited February 2010

    I was taking 1000iu of Vitamin D daily. Just had my levels checked and it came back insufficent.

    Not too surprised, my GP has told me to take 3000iu a day now, 2000iu more.

    It seems like a lot. In the summer, I enjoy the sun and get most of my Vitamin D from there.

    What is the standard?

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited February 2010

    I was taking 4000 IU a day and just holding stable at around 50.  I am now doing 8000 IU a day (4000 in am and 4000 in pm) WITH fish oil (according to my integrative md)

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited February 2010

    What?!!!!!

    Do you think 3000iu is enough? Should I have my levels rechecked in 6 months?

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited February 2010

    Im going to have to make a "pill" schedule. Seriously.

    Mary, do you take your other suplemts at the same time as your Tamox? Does it make a difference if you take vitamins with an anti hormone?

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  • SharaD
    SharaD Member Posts: 100
    edited February 2010

    New research suggests that low levels of this essential nutrient can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers in Utah followed 27,000 men and women over the age of 50 who had no history of heart disease. After a year, they found those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were:
     
    45 percent more likely to develop coronary artery disease than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.
    78 percent more likely to have a stroke than those with adequate levels of vitamin D.

    AT CVS now until Saturday, with your CVS member card.......

    Purchase 2 bottles of NATURES BOUNTY Vitamin D , the 2nd bottle is free. Total price $7.99.
    On checkout you receive a coupon for $3.00 off anything next time you shop at CVS.

    Only valid on the 1000unit VITAMIN D that has 120 pills per bottle ! 

    NOT "Nature Made" but NATURES BOUNTY.

    I'm not certain that this offer is at all CVS nationwide, but check your weekly flyer.  The $3.00 bonus bucks is valid 3 times in a week, per member.

     (Also, if you sign up at naturesbounty.com you can print a $2.00 coupon to use ....so your final net price for 240 capsules of 1000IU Vitamin D   is  $2.99)

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited February 2010

    Nature's Bounty Vitamin D3 contains soybean oil - see label. I think many of us have been advised to avoid products containing soy.

    Nature Made Vitamin D3 does not contain soy. It is B1G1 free at CVS too this week. But no BCB.

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited February 2010

    I have now been taking 5000IU with 400 mag and 1200 Cal... and all the other super supplements I take..

    I have not had the D levels checked until this Friday again...

    I will tell you....NOTHING has changed that I HAVE NOTICED SINCE TAKING THE 5000IU O d3. The bone pain is still terrible and the joint pain too... It takes me ten minutes to be able to walk right every morning...:(.

    It makes me so mad.. I never even had an ache , at age 40, until BC came. Now...42.. and so much freakin' bone pain... joint pain...

    I have been done with Chemo for 15 months...

    Done with Herceptin for 3 months

    Done with rads for 10 months...

    I am tired

    just today I noticed upper spine bone ache... ?????????????????? It moves everywhere.

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