help with vit D levels

Estepp,

I hear your frustration. I think I read on here that Vitamin D is suppose to help with bone aches?

angelsabove..

You would think taking 5000iu units your levels would be sufficient. Seems to me the whole Vitamin D thing is trial and error. Try X amount...retest levels...adjust need be. It could take years untill you figure out the right amount.

What is the range of that we need to be in to have sufficent levels?

Estepp,

Do your doctors have any suggestions or ideas about what could be causing your pain? That just stinks!  Are they doing anything to work it up?  If not, I hope you'll be able to see someone else - it just isn't right that you're suffering so much, and your level of pain seems to be unusual for being so far out from treatment.  Please keep trying until you find someone to address your concerns and help you find some relief.  Hugs!

I have questions for those who have knowledge with VIT D. and 97% ER+ tumors.

I have just started taking 2000 I.U. daily of Member's Mark (name brand sold at Sams Club)- as well as Women's One A Day. 

Questions:

1.  The back of the bottle states Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) 2000IU -- and "other ingredients" - Vegetable oil (soy)----  SHOULD I be taking this particular kind of D3 if it has soy and my tumors are 97% ER positive?

2.  Do we also need to take Magnesium with D3 to absorb?

3.  Is there enough Magnesium in Womens One A Day or should I be taking a separate Magnesium tablet?

Thanks for your help

Loretta

Hi Estepp,

Please check out this link from the Mayo Clinic about myths vs facts about fibromyalgia.  Maybe even print it out and give copies to your nurse friends.  Too bad they, of all people, aren't more supportive of your condition!  There is lots of credible evidence and resources for fibromyalgia, so hopefully if that's what you have, you'll get some good relief from the pain!  

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/AR00056 

I'm so relieved for you -it sounds like you have a good team actually working with you - best of luck with the rheumatologist! Please let us know how you're doing!  

Estepp, have your numbers increased?

It took me 120,000 units of D per week to bring my D up to 89. I switched back to 4000ius a day and it dropped to the thirties.  I am not sure if it was D2 or D3 - it was a rx.  Now Im doing this prototocol and wanted to share it with anyone who would like it - I don't think it was specific to me.  Im on week two and I do the liquid once a week, 25 drops.  I try to take it after having a fat in my meal or my stomach feels weird.  If it drops again, Im realy at a loss - I have a dark complexion and am not able to get 85% of my body into the sunshine living up north.

protocol proposed by Dr. Michael Holick author of "The UV Advantage"

50,000 units vitamin D3 1x/week for 12 weeks, then stop, wait 2 weeks and recheck 25 OH vitamin D. Continue with 2000 UNITS PER DAY OR 1 CAPSULE ( 10,000 UNITS/CAP) PER WEEK UNTIL after the blood test is done.

Get at least 1200 mg calcium per day (which includes diet)

Each serving of calcium rich food contains about 200 mg of calcium

You can get this level of vitamin D3 by using BIO D MULSION FORTE LIQUID ( BIOTICS RESEARCH) OR D3 10,000 CAPSULES (PURE ENCAPSULATIONS).

25 DROPS OF LIQUID OR 5 CAPSULES ORALLY PER WEEK FOR 12 WEEKS = 50,000 UNITS/WEEK

THESE ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH DR CLINICAL NUTRIENTS AT 845 469 3830

When finished with the 12 week protocol, please do 1 CAPSULE PER WEEK OR 1 DROP PER DAY UNTIL AFTER THE REPEAT BLOOD DRAW.

Hi,

I found this site because of my posted article vitamin D stimulates anti-breast cancer protein.  I've been researching D a lot this year. As a natural health writer I research alternatives to traditional medicine. Also, my doc suggested I get my D tested which I thought was very odd because I live in Florida, jog, take vitamins.

Anyway my D was very low and she put me on 100,000 mg a week of D2. D3 is ideal as this is the innate D that the sun makes in your skin, but D2 is available by perscription. After I take the D for 6 months, I'll go to D3 and take 5,000 mg drops, per a day (suggested by Dr.Dean, author of The Magnesium Miracle).

I just wrote an article on the connection between low D chronic pain and Fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed with Fibro after my daughter was born I "undiagonsed" myself last year after taking 5-Htp, magnesium and other supplements for a decade (along with exercise).  There is a link between insufficient D and pain, although the research is inconsistent, likely because the D gene receptors vary by person, and therefore our response to D varies.    D contributes to 200 genes in the body and is CRITICALLY important in the prevention of cancer and/or assisting in preventing tumor reccurence. 

It's important to start D right away, preferably D3, although D2 is what is prescribed at higher levels. Get re-tested after x months, to get levels up to 50-80nl. 

My friend's father in law is a doctor and he sent me a slideshow of a D conference he attended in Toronto. One entire presentation was all about D deficiency and Breast Cancer. It's a bit academic to follow but the point is, D and Breast Cancer info is CRITICAL to get out there in the medical and patient mainstream. 

Also check out the Vitamin D Council website.

 Hope this helps and all the best in the fight and recovery. I have several friends who had breast cancer and are doing very, very well. 

Laura

Ladies... FYI.... I had my normal physical today...and my PCP that I LOVE..:) told me that in her office.. when ladies D level are low like mine... the give 50,000 D# for a week... then test again... 50,000 keeps being given until ranged over 70 are achieved for BC patients.. WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..... The are checking me today... I cannot wait to see what 5000 for two months did for me....

I just went to my local onc and one of his nurses (who is the only one in the office who can get blood from a stone... which is how my veins are after chemo) suggested to my onc that he should test my Vit D levels and he said he would!!  I was so glad because I was going to ask my onc if he would test them but found out that he had already said to the nurse that he would!!

I am very interested in getting my results by Tuesday.

Robin 

lexislove:  To answer your inquiry,  yes Vit D2 is the only available D in loaded doses.  Also it is by prescription only.  Also it is not covered under most insurance.  My 12 wk supply cost me $20.00 at Walgreen.  Hope this helps.   Cathey 

RobinWendy: I need your oncologist's nurse: my veins are also like STONE years after chemo.

As I understand it, D2 will raise your levels but then your D will drop. D3, which is what the skin makes naturally when UVB rays from the sun strike it, is more likely to stay in your system. So getting out of D "starvation" is great with D2 high dosing, but to maintain long term, definately D3. I'm going with D3 drops, sublingual has advantages (under the tongue)..

 Laura

Lexis

D2 won't do much. Take D3 5000 daily. It is available OTC. I got mine from vitamishoppe.com

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/new-recommendation-why-yo_b_446580.html

Estepp, did the doc say that an increase in vit. d level helps with pain?  Also, are you on any hormonal treatment because that will cause joint and bone pain.  Believe me, I know. Since taking arimidex I am in pain most of the time.  It got better but since my 3rd lupron shot it got bad again.  I do have a positive ana and the rhuematoid factor in my blood but not officially diagnosed with RA so I'm sure that has something to do with the bad joint pain.  The arimidex just makes things worse.  My doc has never taken my vit. d level.  I take about 2000 iu/day.  I'm going to ask if he'll take it.  I guess some oncs are really on top of this and others aren't.  Mine isn't because he never brought it up to me.  I've asked him about it before.  Isn't it a well known fact that vit. d can only help with bc?

Ladies.. TY so much for your advice..!!!

I tested my D level again Friday , I should hear Monday or Tuesday... I will let you know...

Also..ANA test.... I will ask when they call.. never heard of this... TY!

I am not on any further treatment.. as I was her2+++ ONLY... no hormonal BC here.

Laura